Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-08-09

lived so happily and whom she loved
so well !! and who had once been con-
stable, and had been talked Of strong
ly for deputy sheriff; and who was
one of the best men that ever lived
Yes, she did love Farley Baker. Mr..
Harrison might disbelieve her, but
she did love him. "But," she always
used to add, "bygones are bygones,
and the dead come back no more for
ever; from which Mr. Harrison infer
red an intimation that the said Bakers
lease OF love had expired with himself,
and that a new lease was fast being
drawn for his own dear and important
self.
Concerning Polly's children, Mr..
Harrison had more than once asked
such delicate little questions as he
dared; as, how many were they, mad
am; and, how old did they grow,
ma'am; and what became of them all
Mrs. Baker? But she had invariably
met such questions and hints with a
sad, downward look, and the reply,
"Mr. Harrison my dear children are
all under ground speak of them no
more p
So he rode on toward the goal of
his hopes; not without some little
fear of the consequences when his fu-
ture bride should discover that she
married ten instead of one; not with
out some wondering how she might
take the information; not without
considerable chuckling and self graf
ulations at the march he had stolen
upon her, and the ease with which he
had stolen upon her, and the ease with
which he was outwitting her.
The house at which Mr.. Harrison
halted on the following morning (hav-
ing with great sense of propriety,
spent the night at an inn close by) was
not noted for its grandeur, nor for
such huge proportions as might be
said legitimately to testify the impor-
tance Of the Baker who had once own
ed and honored it. But everything
was neat, tidy and comfortable. There
were no shingles in the window-sash,
and no pigs in the front yard. There
were a few acres Of land attached to
the establishment, which were always
we'll cultivated, and which, the wild
ow had told him furnished sufficient
food for her support. Everything
looked so quiet and contented as he
drove up, that he had another twinge
or two of conscience at enticing the
fair Polly away from all this quiet
comfort, to the noise and confusion of
his cheerlesS abode.
Having checked the impatience of
old Jane, who recognized the stable
as one in which she had previously
!, obtained good food, and who was
hence inclined to get herself into ii
, as quickly as possible, without the
! preliminary ceremony of being un
hitched, Mr.. Harrison tied her to a
poplar tree, planted years ago by the
defunct Baker, and knocked at the
, door of the house.
Polly met him with a radiant smile
: She was alone, and waiting for him
| she said. She expected him about
that time. He was always one of
the best and promptest men, she was
, sure. She had not invited any of hel
, numerous friends and acquaintance;
to the wedding. The minister woulC
bring with him his wife and oldest
daughter, who would do for witnesses
and wedding party.
"You see by this Moses" she re
, marked as she brushed the mud of
Fly Hollow off his overcoat and hat
, chow | love quiet. How pleasant i
+ is to consider that, in once more en-
tering deliberately into the marriage
! obligation, | am not assuming tht
o control of a family Of children! ! Thinl
: of the noise and confusion Why i
would quite set me crazyp
h "WeIl," replied Moses as if he were
; speaking a piece, and with glad con
- sciousneSs that this was probably tn,
last time he should have to speak ii
: Il have children, but they are al
p away"
"And mine are all under ground,
o the widow rejoined sadly. "Let u
a drop the subject"
Mr.. Harrison was quite willing t.
y drop the subject, and they were con
y versing soon upon various matter
= connected with marriage and house
keeping. 1t occurred to Mr.. Harri
son that the cat made good deal Of
disturbance down cellar, for she wa
continually tumbling over boxes ant
y barrels, to the great interruption OF
y their conversation and Mrs. Bake
= had more than once to 60 down AM
see to her. Mr.. Harrison wondered
:, why she did not turn her out of doors
= or kill her, and done with it; but h,
:, attributed it to her naturally kint
! heart, and the cats probable destruct
iveness to rats.
q The minister and his wife, an easy
!. good tempered old couple, came, bring
o ing with them their eldest daughter
.. who was a fair virgin of thirty, dis
q posed to be thoughtful and silent, an
~ whose only remark was, that she be
N lieved matches were made in HEAVIER
:. And she looked as if she would hav
g added,-"all the good material is nc
d used yet"
le Everything went off well; the r'
is sponses were loud enough and th
g wedding dinner was good. The oil
= minister and his wife and daughte
II shook hands with the new Marie
1T couple, wished them well, and depar
II ed.
" "Now, my DEAR" said Mrs. Harr