Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-11-27

he had loved before and tears dimmed her
eyes as she answered
al cannot think for a moment of accept
ing so noble and generous an offer. Reflect
what a burden you would assume can
bring you nothing but a broken constitution
and five helpless children. No, my good
friend, shall think of you ever as the kind
est and best Of men,"
She broke down completely, and could
only extend her hand. lie grasped it with
a vise-like pressure, and as the little woman
began TO sob he took her in his great strong
arms and to his ample breast, whether she
would or no, and talked so earnestly and
long that the children grew tired Of staying
alone in the dark Qor their mother had car
ried away the lamp, and the horses were
| stamping impatiently out in the storm.
"God bless ye, Jane. Yen come to a big
heart, and a warm, full house." said the far
mer, as the little woman at last smiled her
consent, and blushed more than ever as he
fervently kissed her and took his departure.
II ever man walked on air, Joel Jones did
for the next two days, and Betsey declared
to the hired man that he acted Just like a
crazy critter. He was almost omnipresent
went in and out of the house in state
of mental dsquiet. and mixed himself up
with domestic preparations for the coming
sisted upon an immense plum cake being
made-stoned raisins, beaten eggs-and de-
clared with many chuckle, when it was at
length finished, that it looked for all the
world like brides cake And then when
Betsdy actually iced it, and placed wreath
of pressed dried autumn leaves upon its
bulging top by way of ornament, he was in
ecstasies
Wal, there it is Joel, and [ do hope
you are satisfied for once. You will have a
grand dinner, and no one tu it" said his
| sister.
"Don't you believe that, Betsey. Jist sit
| the table for full half dozen besides you
and me, and see if | don't fetch along some
| body ter fill their places when come hum
to-morrer from church."
Betsey gave sniff of disapproval, but
continued the completion of the prepara-
tions, thinking what an old fool her brother
was getting to be.
Thanksgiving day dawned clear and
bright, though very cold, and the good
| folks of Centreville were surprised to
see Farmer Jones come dashing up to the
church door, in his fine new Sleigh with a
most jubilant chime of bells and the widow
Burton snugly tucked beneath the robes by
his side And little latter they actually
took away the breath of the congregation as
they marched up the aisle-the little woman
clinging to his arm, dressed in some simple
gray material, with rich shawl about her
shoulders-the very one he had purchased
the day BEFORE and, as he said for sister,
Betsey. A pretty little gray velvet hat,
with dash of lavender and white flowers
and ribbons, completed the delicate, bride
like costume.
They passed many unoccupied pews, and
only paused when they had gained posi-
ton opposite the pulpit. And then, before
the wondering people realized it, Parson
Doolittle was reading to them the marriage
ceremony, and when it was completed the
happy man gallantly kissed the bride and
led her to his own pew, now and forever
Mrs. Joel Jones.
If ever Thanksgiving sermon failed to
reach listening ears it did that day. for the
little congregation were in most blissful
hutter. They had actually witnessed the
knitting of two lives together, and though
they were not youthful ones, yet there was
romance in the suddenness and surprise of
the whole thing.
The benedction said, how hearty were
the congratulations, and how proud and
happy the bridegroom, and how bright and
blushing the bride Away they dashed at
last, amid cheers and the merry chimes of
bells At the cottage they paused and took
in the little brood--as the farmer called
them-and then drove merrily on, amid
youthful shouts and laughter, to his great
white farmhouse, where blue, curling smoke
proclaimed warmth and good cheer within.
"As | live" exclaimed Betsey, looking
out of the window, " if Joel hain't brought
that stuck up widow Burton and her brats to
dinner. There won't be a hull piece of the
old-fashioned chiney left on the table. If l
| r L: L I l..
have put it on, even if Joel did insist on it."
The widow Burton and her brats-as she
called them-were ushered into the paror by
the master, where cheerful fire blazed, aud
where Miss Betsey stifiiy received them and
their wrappings.
When dinner was announced, very much
to her disgust, her brother came out with the
little woman upon his arm and leading the
, youngest child by the hand.
"If We have no objections, Betsey," said
he, "I'd like to place this little woman at the
head of my table; specially as it is the
position she is likely to occupy the rest of her
, days, thank God"
"Joel, ye hain't goin' tu git married ?"
screamed the Mortified spinster, and as she
almost dropped the china pot of scalding
tea in her excitement.
"Never again in this life" he chuckled,
, table, despite her protest; and as he spoke
, he stopped and kissed her, while Betsey
looked on in blank and Mortified amazement,
utterly speechless at such disreputabe con-
! duct; for this day, in Centreville church. this
, little woman has promised to share my bed
and board for the rest of her mortal days"
"Married y gasped Betsey; "and all
, them ar children 2"
! "Yes they all belong to me, thank God
Eve got some folks of my own now, Betsey
, and no more lonely days and nights for me
or cheerless Thanksgivings."
He hustled about and seated each little
child, rewarded by fearful glance of graft
. tude from their mothers eyes. Then such
, tremendous prayer of thanksgiving and
, praise as assembled from that bouutiful
, board was rarely heard by man or angels.
Then came the feast And how everybody
, did eat except Miss Betsey. She received
i the praise of her cooking in frigid silence,
! and actually refused to taste the brides cake.
No wonder" thought she, "that Joel
was so set on having it made. I'd a cut my
, right hand off before I'd have touched it, if
, ! had only known what he was about-the
sly old fool"
The next day she packed her trunk and
i departed to find home with some other of
! her relatives in Connecticut, positively re-
fusing to share home with the new mis-
!. tress where shehad so long reigned supreme.
And one year later, when she received let
n ter from her brother JOEL announcing the
r birth of a son to this last and happy wedlock,
:, she exclaimed:
"There's no fool like an old fool
And she consigned the missive to the
, flames with the words.
Peace and prosperity smiled upon her
n brother as the happy husband aud father,
4 and the little woman blesses the day she ac-
cepted the rough diamond for a life partner
I all of her days being those of thanks.
, giving and praise.
Q Friendship.