Smyrna times., 1878-07-03
Nellie's Wedding.

l declare, could no more realize that
our Nellie was going to be married than l
could account for the white hairs that
Kitty points out to me in my hair and
whiskers.
TO be sure, saw that Tom Barron was
constant visitor at our house, but he played
and sang a great deal more with Grace than
he did with her elder sister, Nellie, and he
always had some question to ask me, and
was sure to find some occasion to have q
chat with Kitty; so l had no reason to
think that the boy had any idea of marry
ing, and especially, of marrying our Nellie.
Kitty saw it all, and supposed did; and
then Kitty is so much quicker to see to the
bottom Of things than l am.
l was quite taken aback when Tom told
me he wanted to marry Nellie.
"Marry Nellie!' said l "why bless US,
Tom, you are only couple of children"
Tom laughed as he answered, Il am
twenty.four and Nellie is twenty"
a. know it," said "but then, what at
twenty? Why, the girl is but a child yet"
ave are old enough to love each other, F"
said he, and with a quiet dignity that made
me respect him the more.
"You have spoken to Neliie? l asked.
"Yes, sir, have told her that love
her"
"And what did she say?"
"She consented to become my wife, il
you and her mother consented"
L" But did she not say she loved you
Come now, she didn't say that she lovec
you, did she ?"
"There was no need of saying it, saw
it in her face"
Just then Kitty came into the room
and / might say felt relieved to see her.
| "What do you suppose Tom has beer
telling me2'' l asked her.
From the puzzled look in your face,
should think it was something strange"
"Why," l said, dashing into the subject
"the boy wants to marry NellieI'
She did not look at all surprised, as
supposed she would.
"Well," she said, tenderly, tive hav
not any fault to find with Tom, have we?
Fault" said l, more surprised tina
ever, at the cool way she took it. Blu
they are couple of children yetw
"Just. two such children as you and
were, Dick. We can certainly trust OF
Nellie with Tom, father, and am glad an
thankful that she has won so good a man
love-" She stepped over as she said ii
words and kissed Tom, and knew she ha
taken him into her heart where she he
> me and the children.
Of course there was no use of my sayir
anything more except to give him father
counsel, and then call to Nellie in and ki
them both.
As she came into the room l acknov
edged to myself that she was woma
and had no fears that she would not be
good wife, for q better or more lovil
daughter never lived.
1t seemed to me Tom was very inn
tient to be married, but whenever l sa
s, this to Kitty, she laughed and recall
some of the speeches l had made in o
- young days.
Nellie was not so constantly sewing /
that she and had long walks and tai
together, and the dear child was so like /
mother, could fancy l was young ags
and chatting with Kitty. And Tom ant
were often together, too. l found him
> full of hope and ambition as he could W
= be, but with a thoroughly good heart ant
desire to be happy and comfortable, rati
than rich and stylish.
At last the day came when we were
give our Nellie into the hands OF anoth
1t was a lovely day in June, and | hoped
was foreshadowing OF what their II
nj would be.
y, 1t seemed to me too solemn an occas
:. for theatrical show or flourish. They W
married in the church, of course. A CT
mony that is bound by Gods ordinar
vows that even reach beyond the grs
to should only be given under the ROOT
the Gods house.
-ds' There were no bridesmaids or groo
fb nh. men. Nellie, dressed in simple WI
all. dress, and with few orange flowers
her hair, walked up the aisle on To
arm, and there, in the solemn queitnes
IS the church, with the voice of Gods serl
- sounding their hearts, they were IN
one.
' knew | had not lost my daughte
knew that her love was mine, that day
morrow. forever just as it was when
sat on my knee; but still perhaps |
childish; / could not keep back the 7.
mot crying, Dickp said Kitty, and
own voice was not too steady.
"Yes,n said /, "but don't know v
~ am certain we have not lost our child
. There was no party after the cerem
: Toms people and our family made a 60
number to gather around the table, an
fingered over our dinner as if we drei
= to part. But the hour for parting CT
a. Tom and Nellie were obliged to hur
y catch the train that was to carry them
= ouiet place by the seaside, where they
To spend-not all, but the first two W
N of their honeymoon.
Such pleasant letters as came to
Ex. those days from them both Nearly G
9 | H., craca brought rne one and / calle