Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-11-29


boy-like laugh ring out TO notify Cen
terville that Joel Jones was in town.
IL was almost dark when he reached
the widows cottage, and furious snow
storm had commenced. But, securing
his restless team, he stamped into the
little kitchen.
ats a stormin' terribly, Miss Bur-
ton, and l guess your little Janey bet
ter not think of going tonight"
"No, thaak you. l fear it would be
too tedious for the child. But will you
not be seated, Mr.. Jones, and get warm
before you go ONT"
"Slim chance for that" thought he
But after an awkward pause he an
swered: al would like to have q word
with you in private, Miss Burton"
With an expression of surprise she
led the way into the cold and cheerless
little sitting room.
"Jane Burton" began he, after
clearing his throat "you and | have
known each other since we war chill
dren. We war young folks together,
and, though you war er pile above me,
| always loved ye. But knowin' l
warn't fit fer ye ter wipe yer old shoes
OIL, L HtNtT Sdlu u MOIhs anu ltb NCl
marry Jim Burton, while took Nancy
Price. Since then ther good Lord has
taken both on 'em, leavin' you with an
empty purse and me with an empty
house. Well, ter make a long story
short, hain't had ye out of my mind
since was here this mornin', and my
heart is chock full of ye. And now,
Jane, if l am good ernuff fer yer, say
so, and I'll try and do my duty by ye
and the little ones"
During his earnest, stammering speech
the poor woman had blushed and grown
like full-blown rose, and actually
looked youthful again, and Ike the fair
young girl he had loved before; and
tears dimmed her eyes as she answered:
81 cannot think for moment of ac-
cepting so noble and generous an offer.
Reflect what a burden you would as
sumo. can bring you nothing but a
broken constitution and five helpless
children. No, my good friend l shall
think of you ever as the kindest and
best of men,"
She broke down completely, and
could only extend her hand. The good
man grasped it with a vise-like press
ure, 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 earnest
ly and long that the children grew tired
of STAYING alone in the dark Cfor the
mother had carried away the lamp,
and the horses were stamping impa-
tiently outside in the storm.
1EnAI H1nCg Vail 10
a big heart and warm, full house,"
said the farmer, as the little woman at
last smiled consent, and blushed more
than ever as he fervently kissed her
and took his departure.
If ever man walked on air, Joel Jones
did for the next two days, and Betsy
declared to the hired man that he acted
"jest like crazy critter." He was al
most omnipresent-went in and out of
the house in q state of mental disquiet,
and mixed himself up with the domes-
tic preparations for the coming feast in
the most promiscuous fashion. He in
sisted upon an immense plum cake be-
ing made-stoned raisins, beat eggs
and declared, with many a chuckle,
when il was at length finished, "that
it looked for all ther world like brides
caker' And then when Betsy actual
ly iced it, and placed wreath of
pressed and dried gorgeous autumn
leaves upon its bulging top by way of
ornament. he was in ecstasies.
oval, there it is, Joel, and do hope
you are satisfied for once. Ye will have
grand dinner, and no one tn it, said
his sister.
Don't ye believe that, Betsy. Jist
set the table for full half dozen beside
you an me, and see if l dom fetch along
somebody to fill their places when 1
come hum tomorrow from church."
Betsey gave a sniff of disapproval,
but continued the completion of the
preparations thinking what an old fool
her brother was getting to be.
Thanksgiving day dawned clear and
bright though very cold, and the GOO
folks of Centerville were quite sur
prised to see Farmer Jones come dash
ing up to the church door, in his fine
new sleigh with most jubilant chime
of bells and the Widow Burton snugly
tucked beneath the robes, by his side.
And little later 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 a rich
shawl about her shoulders-the very
one he had purchased the day before,
and, as he said, for sister Betsy"
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
position opposite the pulpit. And
then, before the wandering people real
lied it, Parson Doolittle was reading to
them the marriage ceremony, and when
it was completed the happy man gal
lantly 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 the
most blissful flutter. They had actual
ly 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 benediction 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 the bells. AT
the cottage they paused and "took i'm