Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-11
SlipshOd Ways.

Marx and Jane were TO be married in q
week. Dropping into the Taylor sitting
room one evening, Mark found Aunt Mary
assisting Jane about some of her elaborate
and mysterious bridal preparations. Aunt
Mary was always considerate and sympa-
thetic in her words and ways, and Mark liked
her. He sat down by her now in unwonted
silence, and with a clouded brow.
Jane looked at him furtvely from behind
the clouds of white lace and muslin in her
lap, as he mechanically poked over the mul-
titudinous trifies in her dainty work-basket,
making as vague and unsatisfactory answers
to her numerous questions as if he were
guessing conundrums. After ten minutes
had been spent in this rather stupid way,
Aunt Mary asked, suddenly:
"Well, Mark, what is it ?"
The young man started and looked up at
her with smile, as bright as if heavy
fog had been lifted off his mental horizon,
as he said
al declare, Aunt Mary, didn't mean to
speak of it, but | am as nervous as girl
over-over-next Thursday not the cere-
nony ITSELF mind you, | shall really enjoy
the display in the church but refer to all
the life that is to follow"
"Marriage is indeed the most important
event Of lifetime, and the outlook to every
reflective mind must be a serious one," said
the sweet-faced old lady; "but may ask
what has brought up the subject so impress
lively before you to night
"The fact is, Aunt Mary" replied Mark
hesitatingly, / have Just come from Cousin
Henry's As | was passing the gate on my
way here heard the woodshed door open,
and Susan's voice call out: 'Suppers ready
The pleasing vision of a neat dining.room
cosy tea-table, and two happy, contented
young souls enjoying the ncey-cooked,
tastefully-served evening meal rose up before
me, and | could not resist the impulse to
turn back aud take look at them. | ran
in unceremoniously, as is my wont, announc-
ing myself, as | opened the sittng-room
door, by a hearty 'Good-evening There
was no fire in the room, but plenty of dust
and disorder.
"' Come right in here, shouted out Henry,
and followed his voice through the dining
room, unwarmed except by the far-away
warmth of the kitchen fire. A large basket
of rough, unfolded, and unironed clothes
was turned bottom upwards on the extension.
table, an immense clothes.horse filled half
the room and every chair was loaded with
coats, hats, cloaks, and shawls.
"' We Just use the dining.room as sort
of "gangway in the winter said Henry,
and den up here, except when we have
company. If anybody runs in upon us they
must take us as they find u.s. This was
not an over-cordial welcome, but | went
along into the kitchen where Henry was
seating himself at the tea-table, which, if
you will believe, Aunt Mary, was their lit
tie hanging cooking-table covered over with
strip of oilcloth. A few odd pieces of
crockery were scattered upon it without re-
gard to order.
"This scene rather discouraged me. Were
Jane and to deteriorate in this way, think
| would rather have everything stop Just
where it is. believe it would save us a
world of trouble, and we would go on look
| ing at married life, as we would have made
| it, through rose-colored glasses" and Mark
moved uneasily, got up nervously, and going
around the table, seated himself by James
side and tenderly kissed the pretty reproach-
| full face she raised toward him, while Aunt
Mary was considerably looking another way
Perhaps Henry is not altogether blame
less in the premises" said Aunt Mary, com
| ing back to the table with red face after
an energetic hunt for the shears "did he
fix himself up for tea p
| "Oh, dear, no." replied Mark, I" he sal
/
| shirt sleeves, collarless and cravatess, and
with unbrushed hair aud whiskers. He
would not have shown himself TO Susan il
such plight before his marriage, | as
sure you"
Aunt Mary looked at the pretty Swiss clocl
on the mantel, took out her gold pencil
wrote little note, and then said to thu
young man " wish, Mark, dear, you woulC
carry this billet over to my nephew Horac,
Alden's for me. They live in the east tene
ment in the Rutherford Block, you know
and on the strength of your cousinship tina
is to be, | want you to run in without
ceremony"
Mark came back in an hour with radi
ant face. Removing his hat, he made Aun
Mary low bow, saying 81 am very mucl
obliged to you; | wouldn't surrender the op
portunity that may be graciously given M
OF helping make home with Jane here TO
any earthly consideration"
a" Indeed, cried Aunt Mary in seeming
surprise, "perhaps you will be good enougl
to tell us what has changed your mind 81
suddenly"
"Well, you see" said Mark, :" ran u
the stairs and opened the door at the top, a
you told me, and such charming pictur
that | saw. A living-room, neither parlol
dining-room nor kitchen. but happy CON
bination of the three, made attractive an
homelike by perfect neatness, order, an
good taste. Such cordial welcome that
had, to be sure. | was heartily ashame
when it came over me how well | used t
know both Horace and his charming wifi
and that had not called on them before.
gave Julia your note, aud she read
with little laugh, and insisted that shoul
take off my overcoat and take tea with then
The cosy round-table, with its snow whit
cloth and pretty tea-service, looked so invi
ing | could not resist the temptation. Ho
ace does not get out of the store till seven
s he sees to the closing up, so we have our II
t at half-past seven, Mrs. Alden said. Julia
Q dress was plain, but tasty and neat set o
5 by dainty white apron, and her simple TO
= let was completed by geranium leaf and
, verbena blossom in her shining hair. Ho
t ace, in handsome dressing-gown aud en-
o broidered slippers, looked every inch ge
I tleman, as he is.
t " The situation made us confidential, an
: ] asked Mrs. Alden how she managed TO Sc
5 tie down into being such wonderful lit
l. housekeeper and she said Il used to
, somewhat inclined TO be careless in m
y habits, and | suppose my friends had son
;. misgivings as to my ability to keep hous
9 Among my wedding presents was one fro
n great aunt OF mine who was wonderful
skillful with her needle. II was this teap
r mat and she held it up for my inspectio
9 1t was scalloped circle of scarlet broa
cloth, with slipper run down at the he