Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-03-26
Bates was as deaf as post, and thought
robbers had carried her off.

cloak. and called her his sweetest. and
his duck and dove, and all the while she
thought he WAS threatening to kill her,
and didn't dare to speak, but only sobbed
and cried; and when they got ont on the
road apiece. clstter. clatter, came q
horses heels behind them, and
"Stop!" yelled old Grandfather Bates.
stop demand that lady"
Jeremiah looked out OF the window.
"Never !" said he.
"Wo'll see," cried old Bates, and fired
at him.
The ball missed him.
Drive faster" said Jeremiah 10 the
coachman.
Then he pressed old Mrs. Bates to his
heart
Don't weep, Miranda" said he. "He
shall not take you from me. Oh, that it
were only daylight. that might see your
face"
81 hain't got any money with me,
sobbed the old lady. bat he didn't hear
her.
On they drove faster, and after them
rode the Old man. faster and faster. too.
At last, on the high road, in lonely
place, with nobody near and the parsons
house miles away, of came one OF the
carriage wheels, over went the carriage
all on one side, and there was an end Of
the running away. As soon as hs found
there was no bel for II, Jeremiah jumped
out OF the carriage. shut the door on
poor Grandmother Bates, and stood out
in the road with . pistol in his hand,
ready to meet old Bates. Up came the
old gentleman more furious than ever,
and jumped down from his horse, and
stood facing him with his pistol.
"Vilainw cries be, II demand that
lady"
"Sir, replied Jeremiah, "she is mine.
respect you, but never will yield"
"Wsit moment. Does she 90 with
you OF her own free will? Don't dare to
lie |"
"Yes, sir. of her free will and choice, y
replied Jeremiah. "Do you think me
highwayman, to carry IF lady against
her wish ?"
And now they were yelling so loudly
that even deaf old grandmother Bates,
who had managed to GO, the window
down, heard every word.
Out came her head over the door. The
hood of the cloak had fallen off, and un-
der it was her cap. don't know what
the moon had been doing before. but now
she shone bright and clear, and every
thing was as plain TO be seen as at noon
day. Out came the old ladY's head in
the moonlight.
That's dreadful talsehood, said she.
"I did not come with him of my own
will. He picked me up and carried me
off while was picking herbs in the gar
den for the lotion for your rheumatism,
squire. Pve been screaming all the way.
and he's been kissing me. the wretch. To
think this should have happened to me at
my age, when I've been 50 properly con-
Quoted all my lite! =
Lord have mercy on US :" says Jere-
mish. is that you, Madam Bates ?"
He flew to the carriage door and open
ed it.
Sir" he said to the Squire. 81 am
willing to meet you Wherever you please.
You have the right to challenge me. l
have iusulted you; have insulted this
lady, but ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ally. sir. beg ten thousand pardons. |
believed that had carried off your
granddaughter. Miss Miranda. who had
promised to be my wife,"
And just then up ratified little gig,
driven by Peleg. the hired man, with
Miranda sitting in it.
"Oh, thank heaven ~ she cried, "no
one is killed. Oh. dear grandms-oh.
dear grandpa. forgive me. jeremiah
Mr.. Jones-I trust you have explained
allw
MADAM, have" said Jeremiah. bow.
ing low.
Nov il seemed 10 the young folks that
the end oi all things had come, but II was
just The happy turning point.
The old gentleman liked joke. and
here was good one; and the old lady
wss nightly pleased with being taken
for 3 girl Of eighteen.
Husband, " she said, tucking her hand
under his arm."we we're young ourselves
once. and you know you would have run
off with me if you could not have had mo
otherwise"
$50 l would, indeed" said the old
squire. "You were twice as pretty as
Miranda then, in those days"
well, perhaps l was" said the old
lady. But now, my dear. to please me,
let Mr.. Jones know that you no longer
refuse your consent to his marriage with
Miranda
And with that the old man offered his
hand to Jeremiah, and there was we'd
ding before Christmas day.
al. Al t.oll aatva