North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-08-07

And thought rs sat beside her, -. 49,.
As heard her gently sing,
so That with such sweet thrilling voices
The choirs of angels ring.
So we sat in the quiet evening,
All alone, my love and /, ..
And sho played on her organ softly,
And listened silently. .--a-+---..-#
Married at Last
Mrs. Bunker must have been sixty. She
lived next door-and waited on an invalid
old lady who never left the house. She had
saved money, but chose to continue in SER
vice.
She had done many kind Offices in acci-
dental sickness for us. Her figure and
face had become familiar-so strong, so
kindly, so original, SO erect, SO perfect an
incarnation OF probity, without one ad-
ventitious charm, that it was quite impos-
sible to conceive of her otherwise than ex-
actly as she was when you saw her last
Miracles, however, do happen. The in
valuable old nurse was certainly a fixture,
till that early day when her mistress sho'd
need no more nursing; but one morning
IA remarkable-looking old lady asked an in
terview with my mother. 1t was Mrs. Bun
ker; and how metamorphosed She had
on black silk gown, properly made. a
handsome shawl, kid gloves, and on each
side of her face large carroty curls fell in
profusion on her shoulders. My mother
was struck dumb at the apparition. Mrs.
Bunker did not keep her long in suspense !:
I" see you are surprised at the change
in me, maam." ..s.... p .
+" Rather" my mother slowly answer
ed ); but always happy to see you, Mrs.
Bunker aa ~ pr
:" I'm como to take leave of you, ma'am,
and thank you for all kindncsses. In fact,
I'm going to be married.
&c Dear me p said my mother.
I" Yes, ma am; and you think what a
fool must be- see you do"
My mother could not for the life of her
deny it.
swell, ma'am, all I say is, hear my sto.
ry, and then tell me what. you think about
it," aa. ...i n
She sat down and began:
"When l was a girl wo lived at C.
My father kept a small general shop-thnt
is, he and my mother she kept the shop
and he drove the cart. But my mother
died when was only sixteen, and my
father was going to marry again. did
not like the looks Of his intended, SO
thought l would get place before she
came, and have no quarrels.
There was a very nice young man, an
appront;eo to a builder, living close tn ns,
and he used always to walk with me on
Sundays. lie was three years older than
l, and coming out of his time. lie was al
ways wanting me to say would marry
him as soon as he could make home for
me and | dare say. ma'am, gave him
too much encOuragenent. ~ &
'' / soon got place some miles from
c., and only saw him now and then
for little while of Sundays until one
day he came very smart, quite buck, and
asked me to come out. So got Leave
And then he went on more than ever; how
he had served his time, and had good wag-
cs as iourneyman, and could do very well
for me, and soon he would be master him.
self, and SO on. But said, John, | res
pect and love you very much, and should
like to he your wife, but we are very
young, and you We got nothing, nor Ell
ther, and nothing but grief would come
out of it, Twas wrong, maam, as 1t fell
out, and as I've often thought SO but
thought l did what was best then. lie
was very angry-I could not help that
And when would not alter, says he, Miss
Bunker '-he had always called me Polly
before Miss Bunker,:if you won't some
body must, for am going to marry di'
rectly.' So said plain, 'Pray marry when
you like l shall always respect and
love you. And about two months after
he married a very respectable girl, and
made very good husband, and got on in
business to have several houses of his own
and had six children, boys and girls. !
was always friendly with them !; and four
teen wears after, when Mrs. Wake was dy
Ing, nursed her for three weeks, pool
dear, and laid her out. John, who had al
ways been very kind to her, seemed sorry
but didn't think he cared SO much abou
losing her as l should have expected.
Well, about six weeks after, l wa
staying with my aunt at C, when n,
comes in, and says, Polly, you know
never loved anybody like you. You can
say Ican't keep you now quite comforta
BE so you'll have me now" But said
mo, John, l can't. could never be ;
stepmother to your young children /.
might have children OF my own, and the'
folks might think l made difference Ill
begged very hard, but would not hear o
it. I'D had four offers, and got used t
saving sno.' But never felt as if coul'
marry any one but Mr.. Wake. So h
took up his hat, gave me kiss, which
let him do, and said, just as he said whe
he first asked me, If you won't, somebod
else must. want a mother now tor m
poor children Twas glad to have it Ovel
for it was hard work.
"lthought / had better 20 away, SO
got place in London as lady's maid. !
was q good place-a nice young lady ll'
ing with her uncle. They had a fine plae
in Berkshire, and travelled good deal, an
stayed about in great houses but befol
the year was up my young lady got il
and it turned to consumption. We wer
to Nice, She was sweet young lady bt
it was th1 old story-weaker and paler e'
cry dhy, hore gentle and more loving, an
her cle'breaking of his heart>o lie WI
a very COED man, and sat up all night wit
her once (3wice every week for he use
to turn md out of the room, and make II
go to bed sonetimes. At last she died an
was buriedstk kcre. Master shut himself u
for about dl6rtnight in his room, and r
one saw him but Mr.. Wabbles-that w,
his own man. Some how or other he can
to know that master was going to Rome
that's the gfeat place for Papists, yo
know, ma 'an-and didn't want to :
there besides, only wanted to see Il
master to letme leave, as wasn't wante
any more there. At last he sent for II
up to his room, and he did not say, as
used in Miss Elinor's. room, sit dow
Polly.' He hardly looked up, but just sal
Polly; shah never, never forget yo'
goodness to Elinor. If any woman G
earth conld:bea q comforter in life and deaf
it is you, viii yon be my wife, and comic
me p Twas 50 taken aback, ma'am, tn
l don't$know exactly what said but
soon came round, and told him how mus
l respected him, and fek grateful, but tn