The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-02-08
MIDDLEBURY VT FEBRUARY s. 1913

helds with apparent interest, for he knew
too well the state of Debby's feelings, both
towards himself and toward Miller, to feel
any uneasiness. At length Mr.. Wilder
concluded supper must be nearly ready, and
they returned to the house. On entering
the parlor, they found Miller alone. reading
a newspaper. Mr.. Wilder looked vexed.
what, all alone Mr.. Miller 2 said Mr..
Wilder, Il shouldn't have staid so long, but
| thought Debby would amuse you till we
got back
Miss Debby had some engagement that
required her attention, said Miller, and
asked to be excused but found myself
quite interested in this newspaper.
Wilder went out and met his wife in the
hall, and asked her how long it had been
since Debby left Mr.. Miller, alone in the
parlor. She left in three minutes after
thee went out said Mrs. Wilder, and /
couldn't persuade her to 60 back again
She said she knew thee went out on pur-
pose to leave her and Henry alone there to.
gether, and she would not stay. It's no
use, William, these things always will have
their own way. and it's no use trying to
prevent it.
The supper passed off rather silently and
rather awkwardly. Mr.. Wilder endeavor.
ed to be sociable and polite to Mr.. Miller,
and Debby performed many little silent
acts of politeness towards Joseph, and Mrs.
Wilder, as usual, was mild and complaisant
to all. But an air of embarrassment per-
vaded the whole company, and when they
rose from the. table. Henry Miller asked to
be excused, and said it was time for him to
be returning homeward. Mr.. Wilder en-
deavered to persuade him to stop and spend
the evening, but Henry was decided, and
said he must go. After he had gone. Jo-
seph and Debby returned again to the par
lor, where they were joined part of the
evening by Mrs. Wilder; but Mr.. Wilder,
after walking up and down the dining room
for an hour or two, retired to bed-not how
ever TO asleep. His mind was too much
engrossed with the destiny of Debby, to al
low of rePose. He counted the hours as
they were told by the clock,ti it had struck
twelve. Mrs. Wilder had been two hours
sleep. After a while the clock struck one,
and in few minutes after that he heard the
outer door rather softly opened and closed !;
and then. he heard Debby tripping lightly
TO her room.
'Ah,' thought Wilder to himself, it is as
my wife says; these things will have their
own way. This staying till one o'clock
looks like rather serious business
The next day Dolby had long private
interview with her mother; and, after dim
ner, Mrs. Wilder wished to have some con-
versation with her husband in the parlor.
We'll, my dear, said she, 'Debby and
Joseph are bent upon getting married; 1t
seems that they made up their minds to it
some months ago; and now they have fix
ed upon the time. They say they must be
married week after next. Now think we
had better fall in with it with as good feel
ings as we can, and make the best of it
Thee knows have always said these things
will have their own way, and when young
folks get their minds made up, don't think
it's good plan to interfere with them. As
long as Joseph is clever and respectable, and
good to work, think we ought to feel con-
tented about it, although he is poor. Ii
seems to me there are as many folks that
marry poor, that make out well in the world,
as there are that marry rich.
After little reflection upon the matter,
Wilder came to the conclusion that his wife
had nearly the right of it, and told her he
would make no further opposition to the
match-they might be married as soon as
they chose. -
well my DEAR said Mrs. Wilder Deb
by needs little change to get some things
with this week, in ORDER to get ready to be
married.
How much will she want this week I?
said Mr.. Wilder.
If thee can let her have fifteen or TWEEN.
ty dollars said Mrs. Wilder. i think it
would do for the present.
well I've no money by me- said Mr..
Wilder, except hundred dollar bill and
it is impossible to get that changed short of
sending it to the Bank, distance of ten
miles. l tried all over the neighborhood
last week to get it changed but could not
succeed. | shall be too busy to go myself
tomorrow, but if Debby has mind to get
on to the old horse in the morning and take
the bill to the Bank and get it changed, she
may have some of the money.
This proposition was-soon reported to
Debby who said she had Jest leaves take
the ride as not
The matter being thus amicably arran-
ged with Mr.. Wilder, there was nothing to
hinder going forward with comfort and dis
patch, in making preparations for the we'd
ding. Debby was in excellent spirits turn
ed of the work about the house with remar-
kable facility, and evinced unusual solicit
tude in her attentions to her father, answer.
ing all his wants almost before he had time
to name them. Ard on the other hand,
Mr.. Wilder was in unusual good humor to-
ward Debby. Having al last brought his
mind to assent to the arrangement, which
he had so stongly opposed, his feelings were
in state of reaction, which caused him to
regard Debby with uncommon tenderness.
His eyes followed her about the house with
looks of love, and tone OF kindness breath
ed in every word he uttered. The next
morning his old grey horse was standing at