The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-01-13

was In no amiabfe spirit Ktddinl sought MS
lodgings in q street off Drury Lane; and II
the Alderman's wife could have heard what
he muttered relative to her welfare as ne
passed through the crowded courts and al
1eys she would have been more opposed to
the marriage than ever. Is
Oh, what an anxious period was the four
weeks prior to the day when Susan was to
bee ONE wife! The pretty housemaid was
an expertneedle- woman and, like an economic
herself-a slate. colOred silk with spots,
something that would prove useful on a fu-
ture day. and which had been presented her
by the Misses Jobbins, who, despite the fact
that it was only one of their servants who
was about to be married, took wonderful
interest in all that was going on and spent
good deal more time in the kitchen than
cook desired. Then there was Mrs. Jobbins,
full of wise counsel and cautions rs to the pit
falls of matrimonial life. Every one in the
house thought it their duty In some way to
interfere in the marriage preparations.
At last came the eventful morn, and Kid
DIM, leaping from his couch and peering
through the slip of blind which adorned the
dirty window Of his lodging, observed with
no feelings of delight that the rain was de-
"Humphr' he. growled; "obliged to have
cabs now, suppose"
Involuntary his hand sought his trousers
pocket, and then, finding that the sum of
iive-and -sixpence was contained therein, he
began to make his toilet.
1t certainly was a depressing morning
the boughs Of the trees in the square dropped
in the wet, the rain battered steadily upon
the pavement, and warm, close atmosphere
increased the general gloom and detection.
Susan was to be married from the house in
the news where her intimacy with Kiddini
had begun; and Wishing good MS: SGo1in Inns
eyes, she started for her friends house the
night prior to the bridal. Cook, of course,
was to be principal bridesmaid, and insisted
that none but herself should arrange the
slate-colored silk, lace shawl "a parting pres
ent from Susan's late mistress) and white
still the rain descended as steadily as ever.
Poor girl, it was not very pleasing COM
mencement of her wifely career, but cock
succeeded In Graduating all traces of her
emotion just as the bridegroom with three
cabs ratified up to the door.
On their way to the parish church they
jected Perks, and Susan could not refrain
from turning her eyes in thatdirection. She
noticed that the shop was full of customers,
and-yes, there was her former betrothed
with black apron tied tightly round his
waist, darling about his premises as busy as
bee in his efforts not to keep his customers
waiting.
"He seems to be doing well; the shop is
full" remarked Susan to her chief brides
maid.
"People say he's got the best business in
the street," responded the cook.
Susan breathed sigh, and wondered after
Ill whether she had taken sufficient notice
of Perks caution, and had indeed made q
ter was SO many degrees superior to pros
porous grocer. She had not much time for
reverie, as in a moment the cabs dashed up
to the church door, and Susan had to run
the gantlet of line Of admiring women
and children. who, despite the drizzling rain,
had gathered to witness the marriage cor.
tege.
The bride shivered as she got out of the
vehicle, and without waiting for her lovers
arm hurried out of the damp air into the
church. Expecting that Kiddini would i'm
mediately follow, Susan became somewhat
surpris ed when five minutes elapsed and he
had not made his appearance; still more as
tonished was she when, going to the church
portal to see W hat de tanned him, she observed
her betro thed tightly clasped by gaunt,
wretched- 10 okiug woman, and five poorly
clad children h angling on to his arms, legs,
coat tails, and OF her portions Of his clothes
capable Of seizure.
"What-what is the meaning of this ?" in
quired Susan, her eyes flashing with indig-
nation.
Not word escaped Kiddini, who, with
pallid face, remained perfectly helpless in the
hands of those who had taken possession of
him.
"Kiddili," exclaimed the bride, "why
don't you speak"
By this time the woman and children had
dragged the bridegroom into the church, and
the doors had been closed upon the rabble
attracted by the disturbance outside.
no. Lrouy that har rrisnnpr
could not escape she released her hold, and,
turning to the indignant Susan, said:
Begging your pardon, miss, this Is my
husband, and these are our five children
born in lawful wedlock. He deserted me and
the little ones two years ago at Manchester,
and since then I've been roaming about in
search OF him, and If it hadn't been for the
rain this blessed morning, which made me
take shelter here, perhaps shouldn't have
found him at all. His names Tom Kidd and
not Kiddini, as you call him. Oh, miss,
you've had lucky cscapew
All the time the woman had been speaking
her five children had not in the slightest de-
gree relaxed their hold upon their long-lost
father, but chung to him with pertinacity
that made the wretched creature seek pillar
for support. As for poor Susan the words
seemed to scar into her brain; but to doubt
what she had heard was impossible when she
glanced at the helpless harlequin and saw
his wretched p!lgnt.
"Take me home, cook.take me nome,
she said, reslgning herself 70 her 1altniul
friend; then enterng one OF tee caos wnea
had awaited the conclusion OF The proJecteo
marriage she fell into swoon;
When she got back TO the illtle mouse down
the news 1t transp'red that her irlends knew
scarcely any more OF kiddlnl than dla susan
herself; they had met him at the ABODE OF an
acquaintance, and, on The strength OF vague
intimation that at any time they would De
glad to see him whenever he passed thai way,
he had become constant visitor TO the
house for some weeks prior to his meeung
with Susan.
An overwhelming sense of the narrow es-
cape she had had so preyed upon the mind
of our heroine that severe illness followed;
but the Observation-Disclosures people as
they were-insisted upon her being removed
back to their house, where the skill of the
family doctor and the tender nursing of cook
soon restored Susan to health. While she
was ill there was daily inquiry made at the
area. gate by Mr. Perks shop boy relative to
the invalid's progress; and at last, when the
roses began to appear on her cneeKs, Mr.
ferk6 himself called. lie Dlu6u0O uccply