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

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oldest, you know. and Bclindys goin' 10
bc married iirst."
"SholH said the deacon. looking sur.
prised.
"Yes, Belindy's goin' to be married in
mcctin' next Sunday mornin' 10 Young
Mr. May, that's roading law with Squire
Willard's. A drefful nice young man he
is, too, pooty as = pink. Now he come
in here this afternoon when the gals was
al work in tho kitchen, and just set down
and visited with me a. polite anil attsn'
lire, talked over all his affairs JUS: AZ
open hearted. He's got \ house all
engaged. and ticytc goin' right to
housckccpin'."
Tho deacon's ears were all sgape TO
hear further particulars, but Ar. Free
man. entrance just then cut short the
garrulous old lady. and as her son made
no allusion TO the coming event, in the
conversation which followed, the deacon
would not soem inquisiIiye, aud 50 re
ceircd no more information.
I've heard some news, he said 10 the
family when he got home. "Belindy
Frceman's going to be married.
"Whcn' who to'" the questions raincd
down.
Next Sunday morning. in church, 81
that May fellow. He. got a house
already engaged. | dilntasI what one,
bu. presume its the Cox house. right
next to the law oilicc-,hats empty now"
"He's called on the girls. and waited
on them too," said his daughter, Nancy
Jane. "bus | didn't suppose thorc was
anything serious as yet"
"Well it appear, it's all settled. The
old lady gave me full particulars. She
seemed n, pleased a, child, and told
how soci,slc Mr.. May was with her.
Oh folk, ike to b. noticed, you know"
When Nancy Jane went over that
evening to carry Jcrusha Spccdvell. the
iressmaScr. her daily pin! oil milk. she
told hor The news.
II guess ii must be mistake" said
Jcrushs, doubtiuly.
"Oh, no. it isn't" persisted Nancy
Jane, "lor we had it right from the
family. Aud that explain. those Irish
poplin dresses the girls had this spring
Bclinda's was pearl gray. and Lucy's
gold mixed, and thought it queer they
didn't have some alike. but | guess they
thought pearl gray was more suitable lor
a BRIDE
Sure enough, said Miss Speclwell.
81 fitted those dresses less than month
ago, but never thought u thing" Miss
Spcedwell told her next customers that
Belinda was to be married in pearl g:sy
popin, probably with bonnet and gloves
TO match.
That evening, while the Freeman girls
were at praycrmceling, and only thoir
parents at home with grandma. the latter
went into her bedroom and soon came ont
bringing huge bandboS, large enough
to contain score OF bonnets in these
degenerate days. Opening it, che took
carefully out huge old straw bonnet,
dated half century back, and trimmed
with faded green gauzc ribbon. MIR. and
Mrs. Freeman looked on in quiet surprise
i, she turned The ancient article asound
nud ,ookcd ii carefully over.
There said she. i've bad that
bo net forty five years, aud IFS ju'l rs
good - new to day. The strings are n
little soi,ed, but can wash 'em out. and
then it will bo all ready to wear to meeIin
next Sunday"
Grandma hadn't been to church for
years, so this announcement created no
little surprise. You sha!l have = new
bonnet If you want to 20 to meeting"
her son shouted in her ear.
~ few to make luns dare say, but
don't care for that. This is good
sensible bonnet, worth \ dozSn OF the
little noddin' things they tuck on behind
their cars nowadays. should catch my
death of cold with one OF 'em; I'd .
great deal rather lie Handkerchief on my
head than wear ono"
You could have new bonnet made
largo. you know" shouted Mrs. Freeman.
Too far TO goe La sakes! aint so
feeble but can walk that little ways.
Ny red shawl will bs warm enough ii its
4 pleasant day. and my black allypacky
dress is all the fashion now"
There was clearly noway but 10 let the
old lady take her own course, as when
her mind was made up it WAS like The
laws Of the Mcdes and Pcrsians. But
Lucy and Bcliada were wholly overcome
tho noxt morning when their mother told
them OF grandma's plan.
What does make her do SOP cried
Lncy.
"l'm sure don't know, but she is
bound to do it, and See no way to pre-.
vent it.n
"She hasn't been to church for years"
said Belinda. land knows she can't hear
word. Strange what she wants 10 60
now for"
IL know one thing" said Lucy, dccid'
edly. IL won't go TO church step if she
goes with That awful thing on her head"