Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-09-28
LITTLE DAME TROT.

about him, and had no one but crusty,
grabbed old Aunt Becky to live with, why,
We thought We might as well work together
as wait I'LL we were gray before we yentured
to marry.
Nevertheless, it was with very shaky knees
and very chilly hands, squeezed tightly to-.
gether in nervous fashion, that | slipped
into Aunt Becky's room, where she sat by
the fire knitting at those everlasting blue
woolen stockings, and mumbled out, Aunt
Becky, Dick aud have been talking over
our prospects and then made pause
Humph :" said my aunt, aud twitched
her spectacles snappishly.
And we think-that is, Dick thinks-we
may as well be married now as wait"
HaW said my aunt; and heeled off 8"
uumoycd by my stunning announcement.
This was not encouraging. | kicked my
slippers on the hcarth-rug twisted the tiny
pearl ring Dick had given me round and
round on my finger, then took courage and
bolted out,
And, aunt, you know must have some
clothes and, if you please, should like the
hundred dollars that father left me. Please
don't think us foolish, aunt We've love
each other very much"
"0h, make fools of yourselves, if you
choose" returned my aunt It's all one to
me. Only, don't come bothcring and begging
to me afterward, that's ALL"
famed with indignation. The idea Of
Dick begging However, poor old soul |
don't suppose she ever had lover, or was in
love herself; she knows nothing of my exalted
sentiments feel can afford to be maguan-
imous Meanwhile Aunt Becky slowly rose,
unlocked the big shining mahogany secretary,
aud took out of pigeon-hole a little soiled
chamois-leather bag.
Here, child she said. Don't spend it in
foolish Gnery"
Oh, aunt, how good of you Thank you
a thousand times. Indeed will spend it
sensibly'
The old lady was not altogether hard
hearted, after ALL You've been a good girl,
Margaret she said, slowly. 81 hope you'll
get along well. There AN old proverb that says,
When poverty comes in at the door, love flies
out at the window. But Richard Dalton's a
fine young man he puts me in mind Of"
Here my aunt stopped abruptly, and locked
up the desk with loud snap then rosuming
her knitting and her usual manner at the same
time she added, There don't come kissing
and bothering me. You've made me drop
six stitches already"
spent fifty dollars; it was the good old
times, reader, long "beiorc the war" and |
was only to be poor young architects wife,
you know and hid the other precious fifty
for rainy day.
hope you won't mind it's being queer
place to take a lady," said Dick to me, little
anxiously, as arm in arm We walked to the
down town church that golden June morning.
Oh no, Dick, if you don't mind don't,
| said, hopefully, looking up--a long way up
into his face, for am only bue.eyed
morsel Of woman, and Dick full six feet
high.
There happened to be those two vacant
rooms back of the Office and the church. yard
is very green and cheerful, so | thought yo
wouldn't mind if took them Just as be-
ginning I'm afraid you will laugh at my
graHde apartemem meuJlee, but know you
can make it cheerful, Dame Trot"
&" don't believe your furnishing will bt
one bit queerer than my housekeeping We
are both greenhorns-thats one comfort"
" We shant be much troubled with com
pany, at all events ;" said Dick, laughing
Our swell acquaintances wont bestr them
selves very often, fancy, to climb up to the
fourth floor of St. Thomas's Buildings for
morning call. But you'd rather live so
wouldn't you, than in smelly boarding
house 2" And Dicks handsome face expires
sed intense disgust,
At this moment, however, the church wal
reached. Morning prayers were Just over
the few piously disposed individuals who hac
strayed in were coming out, the white-robeC
choristers had disappeared within the sacristy
and the clergyman was following. A verge
stepped quietly up and whispered something
in his ear he paused, turned and came bach
To the communion-rail. A few sightseeing
country people, and little ragged news-boy
peering round the pew nearest the door, wer'
the only witnesses to our marriage. In tel
minutes the great deed was DONE aud walk
ed out of chuIch-Dick's wife Was il pos
sible ? The world seemed to take singularll
little notice of such a remarkable event.
st. Thomas's Buildings, as all the worl,
knows, stand not tones-throw from th
church where Margaret Blaine was transform
bhf III obiiiN nphANAAhl WY iiAp NAios hlNh
ard Dalton. | mounted breathlessly up iou
flights of an iron stairway, the walls whereo
were plentiiully besprinkled with signs per
tanning to the occupants Of the numerous Of
fees and paused, painting, on the topmos
floor, before a shabby little door, half groun,
glass, on which was inscribed the legend "R
Dalton, Architect We entered hug
green baize screen stood at short distanc,
within, concoaliug the Office beyond, and form
, ing a sort of vestibule for a second door. Thi
Dick unlocked, and gently pushing me befor
him, closed it, saying, eheerily, d" Here
home, Dame Trot It's a puir one, but ou
ain Thank God for that"
"Oh, Dickw | cried, standing on tipto
to hug him. What lovely little room
I'm sure | ought to be happy when such
darling old fellow has made every thing 5,
nice and pretty for me-
The darling old fellow kissed me, with
very pleased face, and |, subsding to my nat
ural level aud the ordinary position of socie
ty, took a survey Of my apartment.
There was no carpet but the floor wa
waxed and polished in the French fashion,
, The walls were painted pale green, with
bright, quaint border Of many colors, her,
and there twined round by a scroll inscribed
with text in medieval letters. A rount
table stock in the centre covered with greer
baize Gu it were a shining brass lamp anC
a tiny vase full of yiolets scattered abou
the room were simple chairs, cane.seated
green-framed Plants bloomed in the opeI
window, through which the sun came stream
Ing, and outside one saw only the stately
walls and spire Of the church, and the waving
boughs of trees. A clock, its common frame
made beautiful by exquisite painted designs
stood on carved walnut bracket rack o
open shelves held a modest supply of china
A tiny stove and sink were marked by a sec
ond screen, covered with white canvas, on
which was painted Gothic scroll and lea
work through its mazy lines grotesque mon
sters peered and writhed themselves. A