The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-10-12

to run away, interrupted him.
Miss Dove turned pale. Bachelor
Brown looked terrified. He cast a
! glance about him. Near the road was
a parsonage connected with its church
| by garden.
"I'll tell you what Wen do" he
said, 'We'n ask for shelter until the
storm is over. \ clergyman ought to
be Christian enough to take us in."
And driving to the gate, he assisted
Miss Dove to alight. As he did SO,
two hired men rushed out and began
to attend to the horse and vehicle, and
an old lady and gentleman appeared
Oh the steps.
g So glad you're early enough to es-
cape the worst of the Storm" said the
gentleman.
"Do come in," said the old lady.
1--WE were expecting you-fOr on such
an occasion people always keep their
appointments rain or sunshine, l be-
lievc."
"What on earth does she mean,"
| said Bachelor Brown. but it's very
| kind of thcm," and so while the old
| lady hurried Miss Dove away to dry
| things, he sat with the old clergyman
in the parlor. "Do you feel at all
nervous, sir?" said the old gentleman
after a pause.
"No, sir, thank you,' said Bache-
lor Brown.
Most men do, sir" said the clergy
man.
Yes, lightning is a nervous sort of
thing" said Mr.. Brown.
Il did not allude to the Storm
Indeed, sir"
But to the approaching ceremony
"Eh?" said Bachelor Brown.
"ln your note, you know, you told
me that you were too nervous to stand
before the Whole congregation in the
church, and preferred quiet wedding
at my house." said the old man.
Bachelor Brown stared at him in as
tonishment. The truth dawned upon
him.
"You expected-a young couple"
| he said.
"Oh, you are quite Young enough,
SIR said the innocent clergyman,
"And must say the young lady ap-
pears a very charming person"
Bachelor Brown felt himself blush.
"Should you think she'd make u
good wife," he asked.
:, Undoubtedly" said the clergy
man.
And you think a man is happier
-for-entering the nuptial state?' he
inquired.
No man can be happy without 50
doing, andi is every mans duty" said
the old gentleman, believing every
word he said.
"She is Il dear little thing"
thought Mr.. Brown to himself. Il
never liked a girl 50 much. It's very
awkward to explain. wonder wheth-
/ pr -
| And lust then Miss Dove entered the
room, looking angelic without her bon
net, to Mr.. Brown. Bachelor Brown
| drew her aside.
Il have something to say to you,
Miss Dove" he said.
Dear me-" said Miss Dove.
"They've made mistake said
Bachelor Brown. "They think We
we-we-are-people they eXpect-a
-a-young couple, you know about
| to --'
"Oh, dear, do they" whispered
Miss Dove.
"Yes," said Bachelor Brown. "Now
it would be very awkward to eX-
plain. And like you 50 much, couldn't
you like me, too, and let him do it
ell?
"Do what, Mr.. Brown" said
Amanda.
Marry u.s." said Bachelor b.
"Of course not" said Amanda.
"What would the IIinckles say?'
"They'd be delighted" said Rich
ard. growing bolder. Then he put his
arm around her waist.
81 don't know much about this sort
of thing, but you are the only nice girl
| ever saw. Please, do; I'll be good tC
you"
Il know you are good" said Aman,
da, "but-"
"But, then, I'm ugly, eh?" asked
Richard.
"Ah, no, not at all"
"Well?'
at would be 50 odd
"Well," said Bachelor Brown
that's my fault, and they know Tn
odd, my dear
Four hours after the HinkleS hearC
the light wagon drive to the door, anC
rushed out to meet Amanda.
"We've been so alarmed said Mrs
IIinkle.
"Such a Storm said Rose.
Were you frightened asked Ade'
laide.
But Amanda said nothing.
Uncle Richard, too, shrank back
as though he were afraid of some
thing.
"Tell 'em, Amanda" he said.
"No; you tell them, Richard,' sale
Amanda.
The Hinkles listened in amazement
"What is there to tell ?" asked Mrs
Hinkle. What is all the myster.
abOut?'
And cousin Richard answered sheep
ishly:
"Nothing only we've been gettin'
married. This is my wife, Mrs
Brown
1t was the only explanation eve
offered. The Hinkles never compre
hended it. 1t was always myster,
to them: and though they were pro
fuse in their congratulations, and al
Wavs continued the best of friends
the fortune which might have beel
Roses or Adelaide's rather trouble'
Mrs. Hinkle; and she always declares
in family councils that she was per
fectly sure Uncle Richard married on
: of spite to punish Adelaide for tn
trick she played upon him.
The English School Boards hav
3 established a system of banks, to teac