The true northerner., 1878-01-11
FOR $4,000?

There ls not quainter, prettier vii
fage IN the southeast of England than
Harbuvy Market. At all times Of the
year this is true Of it, In winter, when
Che great fens are covered with skaters.
and the streets gay with hunting par-
ties, and the houses full of company. il
rs beau iiful. In autumn, when grapes
rIpen on every cottage wall, and the hop
fields are full of pickers, il is beautiful /:
and In spring and summer, when the
GaN pOplars rustic over sweet old flower
gardeas, and quiet, sunny streets, it is
still more beautiful
] am thinking now of one summer
Tnornlng, many, many years ago, when
5here was great wedding in Harbury
chUaeh. The bride was the rector's
daughter, and every house had an inter-
est In it, made the carriage drive slow
Ay through the village, that might not
.ese the rustling music of the leaves, the
soent OF the wall flowers, and the pleas
snirG1xiaes and good words that came
froa2 every open door.
1t vHs only 8 O'Clock, and the first
beauty of the day was still untouched.
u thought when L saw the bride how
fitting dt aseeIned that she should choose
such sweet, untroubled hour, for she
herself WIS yet IN the first blush of
glrlhood, and fresh and lovely as the
iily-bells and rosebuds she held iu her
hand. There were four bridesmaids,
fhree young girls and white-haired
yQ1n2p VINO was quite old enough to
Ssfve been tie brides mother.
Somehow it is generally easy to tell
9m Old maid, but this time was quite
at fnult. Dressed in rich, soft, gray
a5Yk covered with a mantilla OF white
5acs, and cleverly busy in arranging
STth exquisite taste the dress of the
oiide and her younger maids, 1 took her,
.t sirxt. for some sweet matron of about
40 years of age. was amazed when /
found that she was chief bridesmaid and
Miss Abigail Fisher.
She had been very beautiful and she
was still lovely. There was not young
girl at the wedding that Lad the subtle
,sbz1rn of this calm browed woman, over
-avbose pleasant face the dove visibly
Noruoaed. Her hands put the last grace
ful touch to everything; she thought for
every ones pleasure; she was the gentle,
helpful spirit that everywhere presided.
Z could not avoid noticing her continu-
slly, because she 80 continually forgot
neFSe3f.
L WAS glad to see that she was on terms
H the closest intimacy with the brides
mother, for the latter was talkative
little woman, who never could resist
telling a story or giving friend pleas
ure So when the bride was gone, and
Gae excitement over, and she had had
scup3e of days to feel lonely in, took
xsy crochet one afternoon to the rectory,
reeolving that / would stay to tea and
hear something about Miss Abagail
Fisher.
Before I. had an opportunity to speak
,sf her she came into the rectory parlor
Ebe had with her two beautiful young
women, who Gang and played with
srsoe and skill Ihad never heard euualed.
al three staii to tea, and, after an hours
music. the rector walked back to the
Village with them. Then said, "I like
Miss Fisher; she interests me very
= uu IA.
4 ~ Abagaii interests every one. Poor
,Ahagsil T.
~Why do You say 'Poor?'"
Be,ssuse she had great sorrow when
sbc rgas young; Tor that matter, we both
had: oniy had Ralph to help me bear
rsDe; she had only me, and l could do
Vethipg but weep with her
d6he appears to love you as sister. I"