The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-01-22
'UGs, ms WlIe and daughter Nlg re

was before anybody else--she was her
self. She laughed on Sunday, even be
fore the minister's face. Why should
she not laughl Her laugh was the sun
shine of her heart. The sun shines or
Sunday-why should Rot her heart shine
on Sunday?
Margaret went into society in Freelawr
that is, she went to the sewing circle
and took tea with her neighbors; but it i:
quite certain, that, on none of these oc
casions, did she gossip with her neighbors
If she heard bad story about any per,
son, she took no pleasure in repeating it
80 the old ladies never could get any
news" out of her. -
In spite of her good qualities, Margaret
had earned bad name in the village
Old ladies said she was too forward. Old
men said size laughed on Sunday, and
even in the Westinghouse, and young
men said she was SO crazy they could not
get within twenty feet ofher-all very Sc
rious objections.
1t chanced that Mr. Marsh, the young
minister, boarded opposite the Majors
cottage; and though it was Sunday-and
though Margaret would laugh, the young
divine not unfrequently found himself
walking home from church by the side of
Mrs. and Margaret Wainwright. 1t had
been noticed that he left his pulpit with
unseemly haste after the benedction, and
that be walked very rapidly till he over
took the parties mentioned. 1t was still
further noticed that he generally placed
himself by the side of Margaret, in pref.
erence to her mother. All these astound.
ing facts were duly commented upon in
the sewing circle.
But news IN regard to Mr.. Marsh and
Margaret was a scarce article. They liv-
ed SO near together and were SO circum-
spect that the precise relation between
them could not be defined. 1t was sup
posed, and very many believed, that the
minister was courting Margaret VAIN
wright. Yet the evidence was not COM
plete, and the forty.three young unmar-
ried ladies, who had "set their caps for
Mr.. Marsh, did not relax one jot or title
their efforts TO catch him.
Vague stories had been whispered
through Freelawn. Thirteen of the forty
three were discouraged when they heard
the whisper that something was about to
happen. Soon after, Tom Wise announc-
ed the astounding fact we have set forth
in the first pert Of this chapter.
Tom looked miSchievously at his sister
Sophia, and Mrs Wise looked pityingly
at her daughter Sophia. Mr.. Marsh was
going to be married to Margaret Vain
wright. Tom kept silent as long as he
could, but the mischief in his composition
was too tremendous to be kept down.
You have lost him, Sophia, said he,
chucking her under the chin.
Lost him! Poohl' sneered Sophia.
Perhaps the bride elect will make you
one of her bridesmaids
'Humph! | will have nothing to do
with her!' v
Il suppose not What has she done"
4 didn't say she had done anything
Stole Mr. Marsh from you!' laughed
Tom.
Don't say that, Tom; if it were true,
| would not care.
That was the very reason VIII she did
care. s......uzzsal -
Isn't it true, ]
Indeed, it ism
- you Jdi o. on purpose
10 Catch Mr.. MarshT
u Indeed, Tdid not
4 am afraid thatsyou will be back
slider now that he is going to marry
Margaret Wainwright
How absurd you are, Tom! AS if I
ever cared a straw for Mr.. Marsh, or for
Margaret Wainwright either, for that mat.
teri I used to think he was a good preach.
err
But you do not think so now?'
Il do not
OulOlLuudlE dulhioolOu'
so he is really going to marry Marga
ret Wainwright added Mrs. Wise, as
much to prevent Tom from yexing his sis
ter, as to vent little private feeling of her
own.
yes, he is; the Major told me himself
that they were to be married next Thurs
day.
1T will be strange match. She is
wild, crazy girl
"A perfect hoyden, mother remarked
Sophia, meekly.
NO more fit to be minister's wife than
The Major himself would be-" added Mrs.
Wise.
Now, I always thought she was ve-
~ good girl, said Tom.
There is no more dignity about her
han there is about kitten month DID,
Il am sure she is not fit for minister's
wife, added Sophia, who, as the reader
was one of the forty-three aspi-
ANTS for Mr.. Marshs bed and board.
do you think you would make good
minister's wife?'
BE still, Tom. | never had the least
dea of Mr. Marsh | wouldn't accept