The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-09-05

rise, washed her hands, took off her bic
apron. and appeared in the sitting-room,
much to MIR. Mays relief. Just after grand
ma had pledged herself to secrecy She
started in surprise when she saw the guest
"Why Mr.. May you here. Come in
to the parlor." and Lucy led the way,
leaving grandma alone "You must have
had an interesting visit with grandma"
II think | did replied the gentleman,
wiping the pres} iration from his brow.
'She's very hard of hearing, isn't she ?"
Very" said Lucy; but she doesn't
realize it,"
II see it is so. ! could not make her
understand a word yet from the answers
she gave me saw she thought she under
stood it all. | guess she will conclude
Eve told her some strange stories"
Never mind,' said Lucy; '.she is
always making bunders, of course"
Meanwhile grandma had recovered
from her speechless indignation at seeing
Lucy carry off Belinda's beau to private
conference, and waddled out into the
kitchen.
"Belindy," she squealed taking the
scrubbirg cloth from her hand 'go right
into the paror, Mr.. Mays in there with
Lucy"
mo matter, grandma" laughed Be
linda. wondering much at her evident
frame OF mind
''lll finish up here. tell you. You 90
right along and grandma went to scrub
bing at the shelves, while Belinda, to
please her, went into the parlor
Later in the afternoon, as the girls were
in the kitchen getting supper for they
always worked together. Deacon Stills
worth called to see Mr. Freeman on bust
ness.
walk right into the sitting room, dea-
con-" said Lucy. Father will be in di-
rectlv," so in the deacon went
care you pretty well, this spring 2' he
shouted to grandma.
"Oh! la, yes, our well and spring both
held out wonderfully. though some of the
neighhors was plagued for water most all
winter How's your folks? ?"
''Well as usual" nodded the deacon
on haven't got out to meeting much
through the winter, have you?"
''Don't see much Of Beindv? Well,
she's pretty steady and Industrious, and
amt alters gaddin' like some Virtue is
its own reward the writing books used
to say, and Lucy will have to dance in the
pigs trough, for she two years the oldest,
and Belindy's goin' to be married first"
"She - said the deacon, looking sur
prised.
eyes, Bellndy's goin to be married in
meeting next Sunday morning to young
Mr. May, that's readin' law with Squire
Willard. A dretful nice young man he is,
pooty as pink. Now he come in here
this afternoon when the gals was at work
in the kitchen, and lust sot down and
visited with me as polite and attentive,
talked over all his affairs Just as open
hearted He's got house all engaged
and they're goin' right to housekeeping"
The deacon's ears were all agape to
hear further particulars. but Mr. Free
mans entrance just then cut short the
garrulous Old lady, and as her son made
no alusion to the coming event in the
conversation which followed, the deacon
would not seem inquisitive and so re-
ceived no more information.
'''ve heard some news" he said to the
family when he got home. "Belinda Free
| mans going to be married."
"When ?" ''who too ?" The questions
rained down.
''NeXt Sunday morning in church. to
that May fellow. He's got a house already
engaged. | didn't ask what one, but
presume it's the Cox house, right next to
| tllb law Olllct-tndu empty now.
''IIes called on the girls, and waited on
| them too,' said his daughter, Nancy Jane.
''but didn't suppose there was anything
serious rs vet"
'Well, it appears its all settled The
old lady gave me full particulars. She
seemed as pleased as a child, and told
how sociable Mr.. May was with her. Old
folks like to be noticed, you know"
| hot
evening to carry Jerusha Speedwell, the
told the news.
Jerusha doubtfully.
.Oh, no, it isn't" persisted Nancy Jane,
''for we had it right from the family. And
that explains those Irish poplin dresses
the girls had this spring Beindas was
pearl gray and Lucy's gold mixed, and I
thought it queer they didn't have them
alike but | guess they thought pearl gray
was more suitable for the bride"
Sure enough" said Miss SpeedwelI
81 fitted these dresses less than month
ago but | never thought a thing Miss
| Speedwell told her next customer that Be-
linda was to be married in pearl gray
poplin, probably with bonnet and gloves
| to match.
That evening while the Freeman girls
were at prayer meeting, and only their
| parents at home with grandma, the latter
went into her bedroom and soon came out
bringing n huge bandboX, large enough
to contain a score of bonnets in these
degenerate days Opening it, she took
carefully out a huge Old straw bonnet,
dating a half century back, and trimmed
with faded green gauze ribbon. Mr.. and
Mrs. Freeman looked on in quiet surprise
as she turned the ancient article around
and looked it carefully over
| ''Theren said she, GIVE had that bon
net torty-tive wears, and it's just as goods
new to-day. The strings are Il little sOiled,
but | can wash 'em out and then it will
he already to wear to meetin' next Sun
day."
Grandma hadn't been to church for
years, so this announcement excited no
little surprise.
"Yon shall have new bonnet if vou
want to 60 to meetin'," her son shouted
in her ear.
"a new one to make fun! dare say;
but ! don't care for that. This is a good
sensible bonnet, worth dozen of the lit
tie fiddlin' things they tuck on behind
| their ears now-a-davs should catch my
death of cold with one of 'em I'd a great
deal rather tie a handkerchief on my head
than wear one"
You could have a new one made
large; you know" shouted Mrs. Free
man.
'Too far to go! La sakes amt so
feeble but what l can walk that little
ways. My red shawl will be warm enough
il it's a pleasant day, and my black al
packy dress is all the fashion now"
There was clearly no way but to let the
old lady take her own course, as when
her mind was made up it was like the
laws, of the Medes and Persians. But
Lucy and Belinda were wholly overcome
the next morning when their mother told
them of grandma's plan.
"What does make her do SOP" cried
Lucy.
"Tm sure don't know, but she's bound
to do it, and | see no way to prevent"
| "She hasn't been to church for wears -