Daily Kennebec journal., 1875-09-15
NO. 2ls.
#iseella
THE SNUFT.CCLORID suIT.

scarcely knew now 1t happened, but q
timber must have fell and struck me ON
the head.
The first thing that realized after Il
was that was straight and still on some.
thing hard, and when tried to move INV.
self and speak / found it impossible to do
so. l concluded that must be in some
very tight. dark place, for could not see.
In fact, l soon learned that, though per.
iectly conscious, could do nothing but
hear. A door opened and footsteps sp-
preached; but felt cloth taken from
my face, and voice, which recognized
as that of MIR. Jones, the father Of NV
wife that was to be. said: 4a Is
"He hasn't changed much" and his
companion, whose voice knew to be the
village undertaken, Hopkins by name, said
lightly: s7-
Better looking dead than alive. How
does Jerusha feel about It? Take en-
much ?"
"Oh, no; she had her eye on another
fellow anyhow, and better match too.
except the money part. Though hadn't
nothing against Ben, only he didn't know
much, and was about the homeliest man I
ever knew. Such mouth; why Il really
seemd, as though he was going to swallow
knife, plate and all, when he opened it at
dinner.
"Well," said the cheerful voice Of Hop
klns. "he'I never open his mouth again n
and then he proceeded to measure me for
my coffin, for it seemed that was dead,
or they thought was, which oil the same
to the greedy pocket of the undertaken.
| had heard of undertakers who always
whistled joyfully when they got q meas
ure. but l never believed it before. But
that man actually whistled dancing tune
while he measured me. and it seemed TO
me that three or four icicles were rolling
down my back, to the music OF his whistle.
His duty done, they covered my face
again, and left me to my own reflections, I
which were not particularly comforting.
although have often heard it remarked
that meditation was good for the soul, aud
this was the best chance ever. had Of
trying it. An hour must have passed
when the door again opened, and two per-
sons came whispering along to where
lay. and the voice of my promised wife
fell upon my ears. ST; 5si
II dread to look at him, Bob !; he Was
50 mortal homely alive. he must be fright
ful, dead
ground my teeth in Indignation, as I
remembered how often she had gone into
raptures, or pretended to, over my noble
brow and expressive mouth and bow abe
often declared that If were taken away
from her she would surely pine away and
die. One of them raised the cloth, and
knew he was the 'other fellow" whom
her father had mentioned. -hAAt
''Seems to me you don't feel very bad
about his dying. 'Rusha." remarked Bob,
meditatively.
"Well. to tell the truth" said nv dear
betrOthed, II don't care very much about
it. If he had lived should have married
him, because he was rich. and father
wanted me to; but was getting about
sick of my bargain, for l knew I should
always be ashamed Of him. he looked 80
much like a baboon." sg WQa bsi
but you loved him, remarked Bob.
No, didn't! My affection was wasted
long ago upon one who has never returned
my love" and the fast fading n!el sighed
heavily. DIV .t 1fsi.
They had covered my face by this time.
and were standing few steps Trom where
| lay.
"About how long ago, 'Rusha P" asked
Bob
"a year. or such NATTER" with an
other deep sigh, which ended in fit of
About the time went away?" inter-
rogated the cautious Bob, coughing little.
"Well, yes, some res near" assented
my dear atfianced.
"Now, Jerusha, you don't mean to in
sinuate that L" II don't mean to insin-
uate anything. Bob Smith," and the an
gelic sweetness OF her voice was some-
what sharpened.
Now, see here. Rusha. loved you
ever since you were knee high to goph-
er. but l thought when you came home
that you was sweet on that other chap;
but swan believe you liked me all the
time"
"Oh. Bob.' said my was to be. in q
gushing sort of q way. 3
milne own Jerusha," remarked Bob.
Then l heard subdued rush, accom-
panied by violent lip explosions. tried
10 kick or CRATE my teeth, or do something
to relieve my outraged feelings, but not q
kick or CRATE could l raise. 1t was an
awful fire to be in. but had to stand It,
or rather lay it, so laid still and let 'em
alone until they got tired Of 1t. and then
they went out, and was again LETT to my
own pleasant reflections.
NiSut caiue, auu 81 uiu q IOt Va yOuAAk
fellows with their girls to sit up with me:
and they had jolly time of it. although
it was against my principles to enjoy it on
so solemn an Occasios. 1t seemed an age
until morning. but it came at last, and
they went away. ! heard them say that
was to be buried that day at two o'clock
and l was beginning TO feel decidedly
shaky, when Jerusha and her mother came
into the room and began arranging for the
funeral
"Rusha," said her mother, "here Is
hat snuff colored suit Of poor Ben's; OF
course he will never have any more use
'or clothes. SO just put them away among
7our carpet-rags; they'll make q splendid
stripe"
Now that particular suit OF clothes was
Just the neatest one ever owned, arm
holes. collars, wristbands. buttons. oil
just the thing, and my blood boiled to
hear them talk SO coolly Of using them
for stripes in rag carpet. They kept on
talking as they swept, busted and cleaned
the room. a.s.e sss.-
''BOb says he will take the Martin farm
to work this year." said Jerusha. cheer