80 FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF 



selves, and I shall not meddle with it now. You may 

 take her as soon as you please." But he was very angry. 



I thanked him, and was going to apologise to him for 

 not being more open and above-board in courting his 

 daughter ; but he refused to hear any excuses, and left the 

 house. Though much mortified at such treatment, I felt 

 that I would be satisfied if he only kept his word, and did 

 not forbid her to comply with her promise ; for she had al- 

 ways told me she would not marry against the will of her 

 parents, and I had but little hope of getting the old mau'a 

 consent. 



However, there was no time to be lost, as I wished lo 

 see my brother Joshua, who had once been in company 

 with myself and Mary at a party ; where, having seen 

 that I was fond of her, he said to me, " Brother, you may 

 love that girl as much as you please ; but dout think of 

 matrimony." 



I told him that thoughts flew into people's heads very 

 quickly, and sometimes continued uncontrollable. 



"Yes, yes," said he; "and if that is your case now, 

 you are a gone coon. She is a beauty, it is true ; but you 

 are both only children yet, and should not think of mar- 

 rying till you are twenty-one at least." 



"And in that time," said I, " something may turn up to 

 prevent me from getting her at all. No, no ; I shall take 

 care that she shall never be the wife of any other man 

 while I am alive." 



" Then do as you please, boy ; for she is a sweet girl, 

 and good enough for any man ; but I hate to see children 

 so fast. However, go on, boy, and see where you will 

 etop." 



This conversation had occurred a year before, and I ir- 

 tended he should have an invitation to my wedding. I 

 hs i a young horse, which was old enough to ride ; and as 

 Te both wanted some things from Cumberland, I went 



