The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-12-02

Kind, SO he resolved to fix Sam Jones
fast at the shortest notice.
The Deacon was the duly elected
townclerk, and his duty it was to publish
those who intended to coWmit mat.i-
mony so he determined to give Sam
Jon IS no chance to further neglect the
divine command--and he set about the
business with Ii hit heart and a liz hter
par of heels
The same afternoon, Capt. Jones at the
head of his company Of uniformed militia,
marched and countemarchcd through the
village, to the ma tial music Of squeaking
fife and pealing drum--to the great
delight of the children, the loungers, and
the " kullered pussons," of course--and
when they came to a halt, in front of
the village inn, their headquarters,
Deacon Millikin stepped to the side of
the valiant Captain, i'll front of his pat
riotic command, and addressed to him u
few words signifcative of wish to say
something ON that particular occasion
" Attention, company commanded
Capt. Saui Jones, which was promptly
obeyed, while the holders of promenade
| Iall-rOund-iown- tickets crowded M to
hear what soing vn.
Deacon Miliken drew from his pocket
piece Of paper, and having carefully
untoldcd it, read:
Marriage intended between Capt
Sam jones and Widow Sarah Ebling, all
of this town'-in clear, distinct voice,
which Left no room to doubt that he had
just beard what the Deacon had uttered
For mono Mt it was as still as death.
There were good many astonished
persons in that crowd. ut Capt. Sam
Jones was Knocked of at the knees.
decapitated, doubled up, and laid out.
He dropped the point of his Damascus
to the ground, and leaned on it for sup
port, while he gasped, rather than
asked
What the ID do you mean, Dca-
con Millikcu H'
Three cheers for Capt Sam ~
shouted some one Oh the right, and three
rouscrs were given, and one more.
" Three cheers for Widow Ebling '"
called out some on on the left, and
three rippcrs were given, with tiger.
In the meantime, Deacon Millken
stepped out. After the tiger, the COM
pany broke line, gioundcd arm promis
Gu usly, and seiz d the person of th,ir
discomhtted commander, they hurried
him into the inn, where they put him
through a" course of sprouts" in the
manner Of those who do not hold the
requirements Of the Maine Liquor Law
to be gosptl--and at his own expense,
too
The next morning, Sunday, Sam
Jones reused himself up from troubled
sleep, with severe headache, and
savage disposition to make martyr of
Deacon Millikcn, in the John Roger
style with nine small children at the
breast, to appease the great wrath he
thought h felt but after a cup of coffee
and cigar, he gradually went through
partial mollltcaton--then he began TO
think it harmless joke, and finally he
concluded to martyrize his own feelings,
for certainly, said he to himself, | am
m own man, and they can't marry me
without my consent.
That thought raised load from his
heart, and left town for his farm, where
he passed the day. For the second
time, however, his int, nded marriage
was published--this time in the village
church--and for that day, at least. the
affair was discussed universally and par
licul,rly. No one rivallcd him in pub
lie attention that day, except Widow
Ebling.
The next. day, Monday, Sam Jones
attended town-meeting, for he was in
tcrested in the new bridge, like good
citizen and taxpayer. Sam Jones vas
elected Moderator, and the bridge was
soon disposed of. There being no other
business before the meeting, he was
about to put the question" Shall we
adjourn :" when up rose Deacon Mill
ken, with request to the meeting to
remain quiet for moment, for he wished
make communication to them on
that particular occasion. Having secu Q |
undivided public attention, he uniolded
a slip of paper, and read
Marriage intended between Capt.
Sam Jones and Widow Sarah Ebling,
all of this town"
Sam Jones stood up to the infiction
manfully. At first, there was complete
silence I; then general litter, which was
succeeded by the rat-tat-tat of a cane