Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-10-07

Emmie at thegate ever so long Yesterday.
She said then she didn't teel veIy WE'LL
Yes. Aunt Samantha, | will go" she
added in tone Of decision. 81 dare say
should have il anyway, and they say
folks that are inoculated are hardly ever
marked But what shall do for clothes
can't 60 home first, uncle Jacob would
never let me 30 back. lie would hardly
let me come away TO stay three days,
and he says as soon as John comes he
viii send Tor me. | wish his old brig
would 20 to the bottom. I'm sure"
"Oh, no, you don't - said aunt Sc
mantha. "You don't wish him any i'll,
only you dou't want to marry him. There
need not be any trouble about the clothes.
| have plenty. and YOU won't want to take
anything nice. But be decided in your
own mind, Huldsh Il's pretty serious
thing, YOU kuo~."
II have decided" answered lluldah.
When are you going, Martha Jane ?"
10 MORROW morning. Oh, Huldah,
am so glad. Shant mind it one bit il
YOU are with me. was dreadful seal led
before. but don't mind now
Il shall feel great deal easier in my
mind about Martha Jane. myself said
aunt Semznlha She's kind OF delicate
aud weak, spirited you know, AID only
tor fear OF her taking 1t the natural way,
shouldn't let her go. Well, | will get
ail yous things ready, so You can so and
have good lovely walk this afternoon, II
YOU like. You won't get another chance
in some time you know lguess you had
better write Ia note to uncle jake
but | am afraid shall get you into Il
scrapc with him. aunt"
Bless YOU, child, amt afraid ol him.
just stand up TO him and make him be-
have But he i dreadful overbcariuS
and tyranuical, | know, and guess you
are as we'll out OF the way till the storm
blows over
This dialogue took place in Aunt Sc
mauiha Wicox's houi kitchen in Nlav.
1894. Iluldah was AL orphan girl. the
niece of Uncle Jacob Beman', first vile.
Uncle Jacob aud Aunt Prudence had
brought her up from the time that she
was five years old, aud Tor that reason
Uncle Jake believed tha, he had right
to provide a husband for her.
The husband he provided was his own
son.in law, widowcr of some two
years standing. master aud owner Of a
fine coasling vessel, aud wei to DO in the
world. John Pike had always admired
/ Huldah, and when he had recovered from
the loss of his first vile. and began to
I look round for second his eyes natural.
ly fell upon her. Nothing could better
/ have pleased Uncle Jake aud Aunt Prudy
! They liked John and they were fond ol
[ Huldah. john would make his yOy age,
rs usual. coming home every nov aud
then, and Huldah would go on living
with them, and taking care of the butter
and spinning as she had done since she
was fifteen Years old. II was yely
pretty plan There WAS only one trouble
about il. Hudah could not endure John
Pike. Moreover. she did like DR.. Marcy.
grave man OF some thirty odd, also a
widower. with two nice little girls. and
was pretty sure that DR.. Marcy liked her.
/ Uncle Jake would mol hear word against
his plans, and told every body. even be-
fore Huldah's face, and despite her con
tradiclion, that tluldah was engaged 10
be married 10 John Pike. He assured
John himself that IIuldah did, would.
could aud should love him; and John,
who knew more about ships than girls,
! believed his father in law and thought
Huldah's avoidance Of him. her deter
mined silence, or short replies. were only
girls bashtulness.
At the time of our story. incubation
for small po1 was in general use. both in
England and America Doctor Jenner's
great discovery had;only just begun to be
talked about, laughed Mt, and denounced
as danger Gus and impious experiment.
Small pox by inoeulalion was compare.
lively harmless disease, seldom causing g
much suffering or Disagreement. 1t was
not uncommon for the young girls OF
town or village 10 make up party 10
have the small pox together. A suitable
house and careful attendance were pro-
yided, and great pains were taken to
keep the young people comfortable and
in good spirits, the latter being very i'm.
portant. Ii was TO this end that the
seleclmen ul Eastlield had made the
promise OF silk dress to each girl who
should dance a reel every day during her
stay at the hospital. Even with a new
dress in prospect, however, the ordeal
was not an agreeable one, and it certainly
showed that Huldah was in earnest about
not marrying John Pike, when she was
willing 10 have the small pox to get rid
of him. She knew that Captain Pike
would only stay al home for fortnight,
and that he would not be at home again
for six months; and there was room Tor
good many things to happen in six
months.
The next day, the two girls with their
companions took up their abode in the
pest house, as il was called, with Aunty