Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-03-31

dJublers.
Grandma had settled her hinge sky.
scraper OF a bonnet with many aud long
consultations OF The mirror, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Freeman proposed 10 walk 10 church
with her. both trying not 10 icel 'he
righteousness of the situation. Gland-
ma was formed somewhat like Mis-.
Stoves old ladies. like bag oil feaIhers
with string lied around the middle; ard
The ample skirts Of her black 'allypacky'
seemed TO hang from short and chubby
cider barrel. An old red shawl covered
her broad shoulders, and over and nbov Q
.ll-the erowning glory cl the whole
oulfit-ws that bonnet, for her little
rrinkled face appearing in the middle oil
its huge cit cumferonco, in about The pro
portions Of humble. bee in the centre OF
spumpkin blossom.
The gals have gone. spOse," said
grandma, pausing st the foot Of the stairs
In the hall. belinda" she .1ucalcd up
tho staircase. but there was no answer,
SO on she went. Her son dntilully gave
her his arm, and his vile battered mecky
along behind. looking neither TO the right
nor left. The girls pcepcd from the win
dow. and laughed Till they cried.
at is too ridiculous" said Lucy wipiug
her eyes. "Do you see mother tro!ting
on ai,cr Them like Little dog"
Like n lamb led 10 The slaughter, l
should say. III like 10 be there and see
how people look when they go in" said
Belinds. THAT is il could without being
seon."
IL hope she won't take notion TO 30
oil summer. said Lucy,
"Oh hope not. indeed" exclaimed
Belinda. 1T is Too bad for even to day,
Tor they really need as on that now
anthem"
Everybody but us is out to day. and
they all seem to be going TO our church,
too
"ThOrc's Mr. May, and see, he's got on
= new suit"
For that gentleman, hearing the rumor',
and knowing well enough how they
,tarted. look no pains to contradict them,
but rather helped them along by buying
a new suit OF clothes ON Saturday. Black
dress coat. lilnc vest and gloves, drab
pants and hat. lie passed the slow paced
Freeman family at the church steps. and,
entering the last flling room, took seat
near the door, apparently unconscious Of
the scrutiny bent upon him. Many curi.
Gus glanccs went 10 Bclindn's usual scat
in The gallery, but tho general opinion
was that she would appear Just in time
for the ceremony.
The en- rance Of The Frccmans put MI
cud to all doubts in any minds, as well as
to sobricty in most. Little children
gi.gicd outright, older ones Uttered, and
even the most sober minded found il hard
TO rcpress smile. The church filed up
rapidly. pews all full and crowded., and
still they came. The somewhat prosy
parson looked at the gathering multitude
in silent surprise, not having heard tho
llying rumors. aud not knowing what
power Of his had so drawn on. the peo
pic Truth compels me 10 slate that he
hardly received his share Of stteution
from the audience. however, Mr.. May
and grandma Freeman divided it about
equally. | gtieve TO add that, at the
other church, the minister almost literally
preached, that morning, 10 bare walls and
empty pews. only few OF the staid
fathers and mothers in Israel appearing
In their places. But the minister with
the small audience was the favored one,
after all, for The large audience hdgetcd
unea.iIy all through the sermon. espec-
ially when prayer followed sermon, hymn
prayer. benedction followed hymn, and
still DO hint came of wedding ceremony.
Slowly the audience filed cut, looking
extremely blank and puzzled.
what does this mean. May ?" asked
one young man OF our hero rs he stood
coolly on the steps.
"Sold !" replied May. briefly, lsisursly
taking his way homewnrd.
The word flew from lip to lip. We're
all sold" and one alter another looked,
and probably felt ehcap-perhap' made
The wise resolution. thon and there, never
again to put faith in flying rumors.
Grandma Freeman looked around in a
lazed sort of way,as the people scattered,
"Where's the wedding?" She squealed TO
her son. lie looked blank.
"Wherc's the weddin'e" she repeated
in u higher key. "Belinda and Mr.. May
was .oin' 10 be married, you know" lie
shook his head in surprise, and all at ONT
i, seemed 10 burst on her that she had
been deceived.
"Hc lied 10 me. he did. the miserable
lyin' crit,er !" she burst forth in nutter
of excitement In vain they tried 10 still
her, for the vials OF her wrath were un
eorked, and she poured them out Nil the
way home.
The good people OF this town have
learned Que lesson to-day. besides what
they have heard in the sermons. if | am
-.-L-l.... .aa.arlaI llr Mar 10