Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-11-16

be too fortunate to let slip. When
the shock and surprise was over all
gradually became cheerful, and, as the
matter was more calmly discussed,
the first conjectured difficulties some
how resolved themselves into trihes.
1t was the simplest and quietest
wedding-at home, on an August morn
ing. Farmer Meadows then drove
the bridal pair half way on their jour-
ney, to the country tavern, where
fresh conveyance had been engaged
for them. The same evening they
reached the farmhouse in the valley,
and Jacobs happy mood gave place to
anxious uncertainty as he remembered
the period of deception upon which
Susan was entering. He keenly
watched his fathers face when they
arrived, and was little relieved when
he saw that his wife had made good
first impression.
$50 this is my new housekeeper,"
said the old man. "I hope you will
suit me as we'll as your husband does"
"I'll do my best, sir said she; "but
you must have patience with me for a
few days, until | know your ways and
wishes"
"Mr. Flint" said Sally, "shall l get
supper ready?"
Susan looked up in amazement at
hearing the name.
"Yes," the old man remarked; "we
both have the same name. The fact is,
Jacob and | are a sort of relations"
Jacob, in spite of his new happiness,
felt i'll at ease, although he could not
| help seeing how his father frightened
under Susan's genial influence, how sat
isfed he was with her quick, neat, cx-
act ways, and the cheerfulness with
which she fulfilled her duties. At the
end Of week, the old man counted
out the wages agreed upon for both,
and his delight eliminated at the frank
simplicity with which Susan took what
/ she supposed she had fairly earned.
Jacob" he whispered, when she
had left the room, "keep quiet one
more week, and then I'll let her know
He had scarcely spoken when Su-
san broke into the room again, crying,
Jacob, they are coming, they have
GOMEZ
"Who ?"
Father and mother; we didn't ex-
pect them, you know, for week
yet"
All three went to the door as the
visitors made their appearance on the
verandah. Two of the party stood
as if thunderstruck, and two excla-
nations came together -
Samuel F'Iint!'
Lucy Wheeler"
There was a moments silence then
the farmers wife, with a visible effort
to compose herself. said, "Lucy Mead
OWs, now"
The tears came into Samuel Flint's
eyes. Lets shake hands Lucy" he
said my son has married your daugh-
ter"
All but Jacob were freshly startled
at these words. The two shook hands,
and then Samuel, turning to Susan's
father, said: "And this is your huS-
band, Lucy. | am glad to make his
acquaintance"
Your father, Jacobr' cried Susan,
"what does it all mean ?"
Jacobs face glowed red, and his old
habit of hanging his head nearly came
back upon him. He knew not what
to say, and looked wistfully at his IA
ther.
Come into the house and sit down, -
said the latter, Il think We shall all
feel better when we have quietly and
comfortably talked the matter over. u
They went into the quaint, old fash,
ioned parlor, which had already been
transformed by Susan'S care, so that
much of its shahbiness vas hidden
When ali were seated, and Samuel
Flint perceived that none of the others
knew what to say, he took resolution
which, for a man of his mood and
habit Of life, required some courage.
"Three of US here are old people,
he began, "and the two young ones
love each other. 1t was so long ago
Lucy, that it cannot be laid to my
blame if | speak of it now. Your
husband, see. has an honest heart
and will not misunderstood either Of
US. The same thing often turns up in
life; it is one of those secrets that
everybody knows, and that everybody
talks about except the persons con
cerned. When l was a young mau
Lucy, l loved you truly, and | faith
fully meant to make you my wife,"
Il thought so, too, for while" said
} she, very calmly.
Farmer Meadows looked at his wife
and no face was ever more beautiful
than his, with that expression of gen
: erous pity shining through it.
; "You know how [ acted" Samuel
Flint ntcontinued, ,"but our children must
also know that | broke off from you
not giving any reason. A woman came
) between us and made all the mischief
[ was considered rich then, and she
wanted to secure my money for hel
daughter. | was an innocent and un
suspecting young man, who believed
that everybody else as good as my
self; and the woman never rested until
she had turned me from my first love
and fastened me for life to another
Little by little discovered the truth
l quickly got rid of the money which
had so cursed me, and brought my wife
to this, the loneliest and dreariest place
in the neighborhood, where | forced
upon her life of poverty. | thought
it a just revenge, but | was UNJUST
: She really loved me; she was, if not
' quite without blame In the matter, ig
!, norant of the worst that had been done
t Il learned all that too late), and she
: never complained, though the change
in me slowly wore out her life. | know
3 now that I was cruel; but at the same
r time | punished myself, and was limo
Gently furnishing my son. But, to him
/ there was one way to make amends
will help him to wife, said, ,'whc
s will gladly take poverty with him fol
!. his sake l forced him. against hii