Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-02-09


with spots, something that would prove
useful on future day, and which had
been presented her by the Misses Jobbins,
who, ,despite the fact that IL was only one
OF their servants who was about 10 be mar
ried, 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 cautious as TO the pitfalls OF
matrimonial life. Every one in the house
thought 1t necessary in some way 10 inter-
fere In the marriage preparations.
At last came the eventful morn, aud
Kiddini leaping from his couch and peer
ing through the slip of blind which adorn-
ed the dirty window OF his lodging, observ-
ed with no feeling of delight that the rain
was descending in torrents.
"Humph," lie growled; "obliged 10 have
cabs now, suppose"
Involuntary his hand sought his trow-
sers pocket, and then, finding that the sum
Of five-and-six pence was contained therein,
he began TO make his toilet.
1t certainly was a depressing morning;
the bougbs of the tees in the square droop-
ed in the wet, the rain patlered steadily up
on the pavement, and warm, close atmos-
phere increased the general gloom aud de-
lection.
Susan was 10 he married from the house
in the news, where her intimacy with
Kiddini had begun; aud wishing good Mrs.
Jobbins and her daughters farewell, with
tears in her eyes she started for her friends
house the night prior TO the bridal. Cook,
Of course, was 10 be principal bride maid,
and insisted thai none but herself should
arrange tho slate colorrd silk, lace shawl IA
parting present from Susan's late mistress),
and white tulle bonnet. Nine, ten, eleven
o'clock, and still the rain descended as
steadily as ever. Poor girl, it was not very
pleasing commencement of her wifely ca
reer but cook succeeded in graduating all
traces Of her emotion just as the BRIDE
groom With three cabs ratified up 10 the
door.
Ga their way 10 the parish church they
were compelled 10 pass the shop OF The re-
jtcled Perks, aud Susan could not refrain
from turning her eyes in that direction.
'1hN LOtiNNh hhoh NhO SbOI was lull Vi tus-
tomers, aud-yes, there was her former be.
trothed, with black apron tied tightly round
his waist, darling about his premises as
busy as a bee in his efforts not 10 keep his
customers waiting.
"Ie seems TO be doing well the shop is
full" remarked Snsan TO her chief bride
maid.
bpnnpla hnfa oI l,o I.
the street." responded cook.
Susan breathed sigh, and wondered, af-
ter all, whether she had taken sufficient no.
tice of Perks's caution, and had indeed
made mistake-whethera pennlless dane
Ing maslor was so many degrees superior
20 prosperous grocer. She had net much
time for reverie, as in moment the cabs
dashed up 10 the church door, aud Susan
had 10 run The gauntlet Of Il line of admir-
ing women aud children, who, despite the
driZZling rain, had gathered TO witness the
marriage corteJe.
The bride shivered as she got out of the
vehicle, and without waiting for her low
er's srm, hurried out of the damp air into
The church. Expecting that Kiddini would
what surprised when five minutes ELAPSED
and he had not made his appearance; still
more astonished was she when, going 10
the church portal 10 see what detained him,
she observed her betrothed tightly clasped
by gaunt, wretched-looking woman, and
five poorly clad children hanging on TO his
arms, legs. coat tails, aud other portions of
his clothing capable of seizure.
"What-what is the meaning of tbis?"
inquired Susan, ber eyes flashing with iu-
dignation.
Not word escaped KIddini, who, with
pallid face, remained perfectly helpless ia
the hands OF those who had taken possess
sion OF him.
"Kiddini," exclaimed the bride, "why
don't you speakH"
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 out
side.
When the woman knew that her prison.
er could not escape, she released her hold,
and turning 10 the indignant Susan, said
~ c7'HS yNNi Po'hOuf MISS, lulS - NY
husband, and these are our five children,
born in lawful wedlock. He deserted me
and the little ones two years ago at Man
chester, and since then I've been roaming
abont in search OF him and if II hadn't
been for the rain this blessed morning,
which made ME take shelter here, perhaps
l shouldn't have found him at all. His
names Tom Kidd, and not Kddui, as you
call him. Oh, miss, you've had a lucky
escapev'
All the time the woman had been sneak
ing her five children had not in the slight
est degree relaxed their hold upon their
long-lost father, but clung to him with
pertinacity that made the wretched Great
ure 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
plight.
"Take me home, cook, take me home"
she said, resigning herself TO her faithful
friend; then entering one of the cabs which
had awaited the conclusion of the projected
marriage, she fell into a swoon.
When she got back TO the little house
down the news 1t transpired that her
friends knew scarcely any more of Kiddinl
than did Susan herself; they had met him
at the abode of an acquaintance, and on the
sire myth of vague intimation that at any
time they would be glad 10 see him when
ever be passed that way, he had become a
constant visitor at the house for some
weeks prior to his meeting with Susan.
An overwhelming sense OF the narrow
escape she had had so preyed upon the
mind of our heroine that a severe illness
flowed but the Jobbinses-kind-heart
cd people as they were-insisted upon her
hainn ramnvad hnck in ihnir hnnsa ,uhnra