Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-10-18


mate union, but that they feared parental
objection.
"Now I'll tell you what, Sally" said
Mrs. Brown, "you know pa and dote on
you, and would do anything to make you
happy"
1--WE would do anything to make you
happy" echoed Mr.. Brown.
"And If you were to hint to John th e
idea of an elopenent, we wouldn't lift our
fingers to prevent it,"
In thus instructing their children the
Smiths and Browns displayed very little
knowledge of human nature. They should
have known that John and Sally would up
on the first occasion possible unbosom
themselves, for how could true lovers keep
n secret? And they did. At the next
meeting each told the other all he or she
had been told by parental lips; but neither
could conceive the object of the old folks.
However, they were not overdisposed to
question the matter. They were too glad
that the consummation SO devoutly wished
seemed so near at hand 10 question how IL
had been brought about. Conscious that
their progenitors were up to some kind OF
trickery, they resolved at once TO avail
themselves of the opportunity to elope be-
fore any change in the aspect of affairs
should occur. Having thus concluded,
they proceeded to lead their parents astray.
1--WE been talking to john" said Sally,
dcmnrely, TO Mr.. and Mrs. Brown, land
we have concluded TO elope; it's all settled,
and we're ready just as soon as 1t can be
arranged"
81 saw Sally, last night" said John, to
Mr.. and Mrs. Smith, land she agreed to
elope with me so l think the thing had
better be hurried right along.
One week from this time all the preim-
inaries had been arranged. Sally had been
supplied with bran new dress and all
other fixings, and John had been given
money enough to buy suit of wedding
toggery. The respective parents were
laughing in their respective sleeves at their
own cunning. The Browns were overjoy-
ed at outwitting the Smiths, the Smiths
were happy at fooling the Browns, and both
chuckled over a speedy relief from finan-
cial embarrassment.
The eventful night came, and John hitch
ed up one of his fathers horses and drove
over towards Sally's domicile. When with
in dozen rods OF the house he gave a sig
nal whistle, and Sally came out. Under
the peculiar circumstances they feared no
interference, and did not deem 1t necessa-
ry to exercise any great amount of caution.
John gave Sally resounding kiss, helped
her into the wagon, and away they went.
Shortly after their departure two scenes
occurred which must be here recorded.
Jonas Brown returned from the village
store, and entered his house in state of
great mental and bodily excitement. The
latter was caused by fast walking, and the
former-but the conversation that ensued
will best explain.
"They're goner' exclaimed Mrs. Brown
exultingly, "and they'll be hitched in an
hour or less
"The deuce they havev cried Mr.. Brown.
81 hoped TO get here time enough to stop
EN-"
"To stop 'em?"
"Yes, that's what said"
"What for?"
Just this Old Smith amt worth a cent:
can't pay what he owes; will be sold out
within month; it's the talk OF the whole
village"
Goodness gracious ~ gasped Mrs. Brown.
What shall we do?"
"Ill tell you what I'll do. Sally shan't
marry the beggar; III follow them to
Squire Jones, and get there before the GER
emony."
With this he hurriedly htched up his
horse, and spun away to Squire Joness
house about five miles distant.
The other important scene mentioned
was at the Smith residence, and was OPEN
ed by the precipitate entrance of Mrs.
Smith with the breathless exclamation:
"IIas he gomez"
"Who?" inquired Mr.. Smith.
"John."
YES" and Mr.. Smith rubbed his hands
with glee. "He went all of half an hour
ago."
"Don't stand there rubbing your hands"
screamed the lady, "but harness up the old
mare just as quick as you can and follow
them. The Browns amt worth a dollar
in the world. Mrs. Robinson just told me
so-and mortgage on their farm going to
be foreclosed. So Sally won't get A solita-
ry cent"
Smith hurried the old mare into her har-
ness, and ratified away toward Squire
Jones residence.
John and Sally had proceeded leisuiely
about four miles. the former driving with
one arm, and holding Sally ON theseat with
the other, when they heard the sound of
wheels a short distance in the rear. They
had inst PASSED long bend in the road
and looking across tbev sa,y revealod b,,
the moonligbt the nursning Rrowp
"wbv that's M y, o,c,oimod s,,Iv
..yos and ho means n,isoIia, In; ,,.,
said Jobn
"Wbat shall we do 9n souoalod Sally.
uI,u chou, ,o,, ;, soia Ioh,