Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-03-02

| .~"S III Hei eyes sne started Tor her friends
house the night prior to the bridal Cook,
OF course, was to be principal bride-maid,
anu insisted that none but herself sbould
arrange the slate-cOlored silk, lace shawl
"a parting present from Susans late mis-
tress.) and white tulle bonnet Nine, ten
eie'en O'Clock, and still the rain descended
as steadily as ever. Poor girl, it was not
| very pleasing commencement of her Wife
Iy career; but cook succeeded in ersdica
ting all traces of her emotion lust as the
bridegroom and three cabs ratified up TO
the door
On their way to parish church they were
compelled TO pass the shop of the rejected
Perks, and Susan could not refrain from
truning her eyes in that direction. She
noticed that the shop was full of customers.
and-yes. there was her former betrotbed
with black apron tied tightly round his
waist, darting about his premises as busy
as bee in his efforts not to keep his cus.
toners waiting.
He seems to be doing WE'LL the shop is
full. remarked Susan to her chief BRIDE
maid.
People say he has got the best business
in the street, responded cook.
Susan breathed a sigh. and wondered
after all, whether she had taken sufficient
notice of Perks's caution, and had indeed
made a mistake-whether a penniless dane
ing master was so many degrees superior
TO prosperous grocer. She had not much
time Tor reverie, as in a mOmeut the cabs
dashed up to the church door, and Susan
had to run the gauntlet of line of admir-
ing women and children, who despite the
drlzzling rain, had gathered to witness the
marriage cOrteJe.
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 kiddni would
Immediately follow, Susan became some.
what surprised when five minutes elapsed
and he had not made his appearance; still
more astonished was she when. going To
the church portal TO see what detained him
she observed her betrothed tightly clasped
by gaunt. wfetched-looking woman. and
five poorly clad children hanging on TO his
arms legs, coat tails, and other PORTIONS
of his clothes capable OF seizure
"Wha,-what is the meaning of thls?"
inquired Susan. her eyes flashing with in
dignation.
Not word escaped kiddini, who, with
palld lace, remained perfectly helpless in
tn. hands OF those who had taken posses
sion of him.
"kiddni, exclaimed the bride, '.why
don't you speak,
BY this time the woman and children had
dragged the bridegroom into the church.
and the door had been closed upon the rab-
bic attracted by the disturbance outside
When the woman knew that her prison
er could not escape, she released her mold
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. lie deserted me
and the little ones two years ago at Man
ri, 81
about in search of him; aud il il hadn't
been for the rain this blessed morning,
which made me take shelter here, perh aps
| shouldn't have found him at all. His
names Tom Kidd, and not kddiu as YOU
call him. On. miss. you've had ii lnckv
escape.
All the time the woman had been speak
ing her I've children had not the slightest
degree relaxed their hold upon their long
lost lather, but clung TO him with peril
nacity that made the wretched creature
seek pillar for support. As tor poor Su-
san, the words seemed to scar into her
brain; but to doubt whae she had heard
was impossible when she glanced at the
helpless Harlequin and saw his wretched
plight.
Take me home, cook, take me home"
she said, resignng herself to her faithful
friend; then entering one of the cabs which
had awaited the conclusion of the projected
marriage, she fell into q swoon.
When she got back to the lit tie house
down the news it transplred that her
friends knew scarcely any more of X iddini
than Susan herself; they had met him at
the abode of an acquaintance, and Oh the
strength of a vague intmation that at any
time they would be glad to see him when
he passed that way, be had become q con-
bp L.
prior to his meeting with Susan.
An overwhelming sense of the narrow
escape she had SO preyed upon the
mind of our heroine that severe illness
followed; but the Jobbinses-kind, hearted
people as they were-lnsisted upon her
bein. removed back to their house, where
the skill OF the family doctor and the ten
der nursing of cook soon restored Susan
TO health. While she was i'll there was
daily inquiry made at the area gate by Mr.
Perks shop boy relative to the invalid,
progress; and at last, when the roses again
began to appear on her cheeky, Mr.. Perks
himself called. He blushed deeply when
he encountered the gaze of cook and pie ad-
ed that he had given his boy holiday
but cook was a little bit too experienced to
be deceived by such an excuse rs that.
She asked Mr.. Perks If he would not step
into the kitchen to rest himself Just for
few minutes, lat which the grocer hesitated.
but after desperate effort he followed his
friend down the area steps. He had not
expected 10 see Susan. or of cour Sc ho
would not have come down into the kitch.
en- but when he was fairly inside the door
and saw her wasted form enveloped in
warm shawls before the fire, he could not
retreat with dignity without speaking.
Just at that moment cook remembered
that were some fowls to be dressed for din
ner, and she must see about them without
delay; SO giving Mr.. Perks a hearty grip
of the hand, and informing him that he
knew his way out when he wanted to 60,
this artful cook beat hasty retreat, and
closing the door behind her, left the young
people alone.
1t was very awkward. and in their inner
most thoughts both considered cook stu
pd laundering thing.
The topic Of the weather Is soon eXha1s
ted, and Perks's delicacy would not allow
him to converse much about Susans illness
knowing the causes thai had led to it. SO
they sat silently looking into the fire, un-
| til Susan, with her face SuffusCd with
bushes, said:
II have for long time been wanting to
confess to you that was in the wrong
when we quarreled, but have not had the
courage to do so. My illness has taught
ought to acknowledge q wrong when COM
| nitted, and that ought never to inten
tionally wound an honest trusting heart.
| Mr.. Perks"
No, Susan, call me Tom, as you used to
do" interrupted Mr.. Perks, his face glow
ing with as much color as the flaming
Goals into which he gazed
"Well then, Tom. if you wish it. feel
tina: did you wrong, and know caus-
ed you distress of mind al the time; but
am heartily sorrow now. and want you
to forgive me. VIII your"
Sh. raised her face AS she concluded, and
looked SO pieadingly at him that Tom
Perks felt big lump rise in his throat,
which rendered him speechless; but he
seized her hand, and gave it so hearty a
shake that his fervor proved almost too
much Tor her weak condition.
Tom" she added, when she had recov
ere da little, "yOu warned me once against
making a mistake. was foolish girl then
and disdained your advice; had been