The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1868-01-08
RECOMPENSE.

'Is that Oldtown church yondor, if you
please, sir?" =,
A girl spoke to me- turned and looked
at her There are women Of sixteen and
children OF sixteen. This was child
She wore the scantiest of cotton dresses,
helted at the waist, pair of leathern boots
and white apron. In her hand she carri-
ed a sun.bonnet and her hair, cropped close
like boys curled in black ringlets about
her head. The face was baby's face in
sweetness and in innocence, the little brown
hands the hands of toll. No young lady
this, yet there was nothing coarse and vul-
gar about her unless it were those hands.
THAT is Oldtown church, my DEAR" |
said. Are you going therey
Yes, sir to see the wedding. Are
you7'
was, more fool |, though did not say
so to this child The bride for whom the
bells were ringing was to have been mine
once, and would have been but for the ac-
eident which had crippled me and changed
her heart She has done nothing openly
treachorous but saw the truth and set her
free. She took her freedom gladly, and we
were two. She had quite forgotten me, no
doubt. believed then never could for>
get her.
knew exactly how she would look in
snowy silk and lace and coronet of pearls.
| had dreamed of her in bridal robes so Of
ten.
| nodded to the little thing beside me
trudgihg over the meadow path with the
tall grass almost to her waist, and looking
at me wisttuy.
II never saw wedding" she said.
"No?"
"No, sir. Grandfather said might
cone. He didn't care himself. It's long
walk too from the tavern, and he is very
old" He e.
docs your grandfather keep the tav-
ern?' asked. -,
mo, sir-I wisn he didl" said the child.
He has only his fiddle, and people half the
time don't care for tune. What else can
he do though? Tonight there's a dance,
and he's to play for them, That's why we
stopped. y
A poor fiddler untaught grandchild-as
poor as decent poverty could be-yet her
presence somehow cheered me. Half child,
half woman, and child at heart. Inno>
cent, and beautiful, and kindly. entourag
ei her to linger at my side. | said to her:
II will show you place where you can
see the bride well. 1t is in the gallery. =
| Will you like that?"
II don't know she said. II have not
often been to church. We pray together
in lonely places, grandfather and l. Viii
you be there, sir?
| eyes.
II know I should IKE it,
"Come with me then" l said, and she
followed me.
| had meant to hide nlysefin the gallery
and see my lost love married quite unseen.
This companionship had not been in MY
role at ALL But liked it, No friend, NC
relation; not my own sister, would | have
had beside me; but the el6Sh thing was tot
Innocent to fear. led the way up tkt
dark stairs, and toward the spot quite shell
tered from public view. Then | sat down
and she stood leaning over the Ealustrade
The church was full Of Dor nets. Her,
and there only masculine head. The
minister was in his scat reading, in posi-
ton taken tor effect. He was. handsome
man, and knew it perfectly well. NJ,
Girls whispered and giggled. matron'
famed themselves and men yawned, Sool
the soft roll OF carriages on the gravel patl
was heard, and the bridal party entered.
saw her at last. Alletta.
''ls that the bride?' half sobbed thu
girls voice at my side. lis it a real lady
She looks like wax. Oh, how pretty, hov
beautiful Look! Lookl
She touched me with her little brow
hand and looked at me, her eyes spark
ling.
"Did you ever see her before?" she ask
ed. rs she like that in everyday clothes
Oh, how pretty! how pretty!
| Men have no right to weep. put m.
head down upon the cushion OF the pey
and hid my eyes. | felt the child oreel
close beside me.
"Poor thing, he's tired" heard he
whisper, and put her little hand out AM
pat me softly by stealth. ssau
Soon / looked down into the churcl
again, and [ saw Grant Stanton kiss hi
bride.
4 "Is it all over?' asked the girl.
Eyes, child, said |, ''all ovtr."
Then l must go she said. THANK yo'
for being SO kind to me, sir Good-by."
"uood-by," said, and her little leathe
shoes pattcred over the aisle and down tn
stairs, and | had seen, as | thought. tn
, last Of her. When she had gone | tnisse,
/. her strangely.
went home when the church was quit
empty. 1t had not been as hard to bear q
/ had feared and oddly enough ! found my