Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-21

LITTLE DAME TROT.

We were very young, Dick and |, and
he was dreadfully poor, to be sure but
then, as he had nobody but me who cared
particularly 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 till we were gray
before we ventured to marry.
Nevertheless, it was with very shaky
knees and very chilly hands squeezed
tightly together in a nervous manner that
| slipped into Aunt Becky's room where
she sat by the fire, knitting at the ever
lasting blue stockings, and mumbled out,
"Aunt Becky, Dick and have been talk
ing over our prospects" and then made
pause.
"Humph," said my aunt, twitching her
spectacles snappishly.
" And we think-that is, Dick thinks
we may as well be married now as wait
Ha ~ said my aunt and " heeled of, y
unmoved by my stunning announcement.
This was not encouraging. | kicked
my slippers on the hearth-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, l 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-love each other very much"
Oh, make fools of yourselves, if you
choose" returned my aunt. " It's all one
to me. Only don't come bothering and
begging to me afterward, that's ALL
1hamed 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! Meanwhile
Aunt Becky slowly rose, unlocked the big,
shining mahogany, and took out of pig
con hole a'little sOiled chamois leather bag.
Here. child" she said, don't spend
it all on foolish fnery."
g. 0 aunt, how good of you! Thank
you thousand times. Indeed, | will
spend it sensibly."
The old lady was not altogether hard
hearted, after all you've been q good
girl. Margaret" she said slowly, " | hope
you'll get along well. There's an old
proverb that says, When poverty comes
in at the door. love flies out of the VIM
dow" But Richard Dalton's fine young
man he puts me in mind Of" Here my
aunt stopped abruptly and locked up the
desk with a loud snap; then resum-
ing 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"
Ispent fifty dollars; it was the :. good
old times" reader, " long before the
war;" and was only to be poor young
architects wife, you know; and hid the
| nfhQr vrnnin,,c fiftyy fcr IN In,-
. hope you won't mind its being a
me, little anxiously as arm in arm we
walked to the down town church. that cold
en- June morning.
don't" l said hopefully, looking up-a
long way up-into his face, for am only
blue eyed morsel of a woman, and Dick
is full six feet high
There happened to be those two va
cant rooms back of the office, and the
churchyard is very green and cheerful, SC
| thought you wouldn't mind if took
them just as a beginning I'm afraid you
will laugh at my grand apartment neu6lee,
but l know you can make it cheerful,
Dame Trot."
don't believe your furnishing will
be one bit queerer than my housekeeping
| We are greenhorns-that's one comfort "
We shan't be much troubled with
company at all eventsn' said Dick, laugh.
ing. 'Our swell acquaintances won't
bestir themselves very often fancy, to
climb up to the fourth floor of st. Thomas's
Buildings fora morning call. But you'd
rather live SO. wouldn't you, than in a
smelly boarding house P" And Dicks
handsome face expressed intense disgust.
AT this moment, however, the church
was reached. Morning prayers were just
over; the few piously disposed individu-
ais who had stayed in were coming out,
the white-robed choristers had disappear
ed within the sacristy, and the clergyman
was following. A verger stepped quietly
up and whispered something in his ear;
he paused, turned, and came back to the
communion rail. A few sight seeing
country people, and a little ragged news
boys peering round the pew nearest the
door, were the only witnesses to our mar
riage. In ten minutes the great deed was
done, and walked out of church-Dck'
wife. Was it possibleP The world seem
ed to take singularly little notice of such
a remarkable event
st. Thomas's Buildings, as all the world
Knows, Stanu not stones throw from the
church where Margaret Blaine was trans
formed in some wonderful way, into Mrs.
Richard Dalton. l mounted breathlessly
up four flights of an iron stairway, the
walls whereof were plentifully besprinkled
with signs pertaining to the occupants ofthe
numerous offices. and paused, painting, on
the topmost floor, before shabby little
door, half ground glass. on which was in
scribed the legend, =" II Dalton, Architect
We entered; huge green baize screen
stood a short distance in; concealinglithe
office beyond and forming sort of yes
thule for second door. This Dick un
locked. and gently pushed me before him
closed it. saying cheerily, " Here's home
Dame Trot! It's pure one, but or ain
Thank God for that"
Oh, Dick!" cried, standing on tip
toe to hug him; g what lovely littl,
room! I'm sure i ought to be happ,
when such a darling old fellow has mad,
everything so nice and pretty for me-"
The darling old fellow kissed me witt