“'Jackson here interrupted, and turning to Henry, said: 'What are your promises to Seraine?'
“'That she and I would become man and wife whenever she should say that the time had arrived to have the marriage take place. Is it not so, Seraine?'
“'Yes, Henry, that is true; but I have never thought that the proper time had arrived.'
“'Well,' said Jackson, 'if you will allow me to suggest, I think the time has now arrived. Seraine, your father and mother are growing old; your only brother is in the army and may never return.' And to Henry he said: 'Our mother and father are also growing feeble from so much grief. Mother, I think, cannot survive very much longer, and all of us who are now left, save yourself, are in the army. From our experience thus far the future is not full of hope. You and Seraine may soon be all that are left of both families, except, perhaps, some one or more of our parents. Now, Seraine, let us get your father and mother to go with us to ALLentown, and there, in the presence of both families who yet remain above the sod, (save brother Peter, who cannot be with us,) have this marriage solemnized. Henry, our mother and Jennie would be very happy over this, and so would Mary Anderson and the children, all of whom love Seraine very much.'
“By this time the tears were rolling down Seraine's cheeks. Henry stood looking at her, and grasping her by the hand, when Jackson had finished, he led her into the presence of her father and mother and told them the proposition, and asked them to consent. They gave Seraine to Henry, and blessed them both as their children. Seraine, in answer to Henry, thought, in consideration of the whole situation, that the time had come, and that she would acquiesce in the arrangements as proposed by Jackson, who was happier now than he had been since the beginning of the war, and so expressed himself to Seraine and Henry. The next day being agreed upon for their departure for ALLentown, Jackson repaired to his room, leaving Henry and Seraine together to talk over the details of their prospective marriage.
“Leaving Detroit the following morning they arrived at my house in the afternoon and found a warm welcome awaiting them, my wife and the two other ladies of my household doing everything to make Seraine's father and mother feel that they were more than merely welcome. When we were all together Jackson became spokesman, and waxed quite eloquent over the whole affair. When he had finished Gen. Anderson cried out:
“'Bravo! Bravo! Henry and Seraine!'
“My wife drew Seraine to her bosom as she would have taken a child, and embraced her and wept, until, from sympathy, we all were overcome with emotion. The family congratulated Henry. The two little girls did not quite understand it all, and began plying us with questions until we had to explain all about it, and tell them Seraine was going to be their 'aunty.' This delighted them, and they commenced climbing upon Henry's lap, and questioning him about their 'Aunty Seraine,' until finally he made his escape from the house.
