The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-12-19

tfuseus iQF INC ehiids bat VIII you Dol
be seated, Mr. Jones, and get warm be.
fore you 90 onY
slim chance for that, thoughl be. Bot
afor an awkward pause, be answered, ]
would IKE to have = word With you In
private, Miss Burton
Viii "A expression of surprise she led
The wsy into lhe cold aud ebeetless little
sitting room.
Jsue Burton, be began, after clearing
his throat, you aud have known each
other since we were children. We was
young folks together, and though you
war pile above me, always loved ye
But knowin' warn't it for ye to wipe
yer old shoes on, never said a word and
Iet SO marry Jim Burton, while took
Nancy Prince, since hen the good Lord
hss taken both on EN-, leaving you with
an empty parse, aud ne with an empty
house. Wei, ter make a long story short,
| hsin't had ye out OF my mind since
was here this mornin', aud my heart is
chock tall ofye. And now, Jane, II sm
good enough foryer, cay so, and IN try
and do NY duty by ye and the little ones,
During bis earnest, siammering speech
the poor woman had blushed and glowed
like full-blown rose, and actually look
ed youthful again, and Ike the fair young
girl he bad loved before; aud tears dim
med her eyes as she answered:
! cannot think Tor a moment Of accept
ing so noble and generous an offer. Re.
fleet what burden you would assume.
| can bring YOU nothing but broken
constitution and five helpless children.
No, my good friend, shall think of You
ever as the kindest aud best OF men.
She broke down completely, and could
only extend her hand. lie grasped II
with a vice-like pressure, and as the little
woman began to sob be took her in bis
great strong arms to his ample breast,
whether she would or no, and talked 30
earnestly and long that The children grew
tired Of staying alone In the dark, (for
their mother had carried away the lamp)
and the horses were stamping Impatient
ly out in the storm.
God bless yc, Jane. Yen come TO a
big heart, and warm, full house, said
the farmer, as the little woman at last
smiled her consent, aud bIushed more
than ever as he iervently kissed ber and
took his departure,
If ever man walked on air, Joel Jones
did for the next two days, aud Betsey de.
clared to the hired man that he acted Just
like crazy crilter. lie was almost ON
in asd out of the house
in state of mental disquiet, and mixed
himself up with domestic preparations
for the coming feast iu the most promis-
cuous fsshion. Ee insisted upon an i'm
mense plum cake being made--stoned
fals1ns, Deaten eggs-and declsrvd win
many chnokle, when it was at length
that it looked for all the world
like brides cake An then when Bet.
sey actually iced it, and placed wreath
of pressed dried autumn leaves upon its
bulgiug top by way of ornament, he was
in ecstaeies,
Wal, there it is, Joel, and | do hope
you are satisfied for once. You will have
a grand dinner, and no one tn it, said his
sister.
Don't you believe that, Retsey. Jist
sit the table for full half dozen besides
You and me, and see If don't fetch along
somebody ter fill ther places when come
hum to.morrer from church.
Betsey gave sniff of disapproval, but
the completion of the prepara-
lious, thinking what an old fool her
brother was getting TO be.
Thanksgiving day dawned clear aud
bright, though very cold, aud the good
folks Of CentreviIle were surprised to see
Farmer Jones come dashing up to the
church door, in his hne new sleigh, with
a most jubilant chime Of bells, aud the
widow Burton snugly tucked beneath the
robes by bis side. Aud a little later they
sctuaily took away the breath OF the con-
gregation as they marched up the aisle
the little woman cIiuging TO his arm,
dressed in some simple gray material,
with rich shawl about her shoulders
the very one he bad purchased the day
before, aud, as he had said, for h.s sister
Betsy. A pretty little gray velvet hat,
with dash of lavender aud white flowers
aud ribbons, completed the delicate, BRIDE
like costume.
They passed many unoccupied pews,
and only paused when they had gained a
position opposite the pulpit. Aud then,
before the wondering people realized il,
Parson Dooliltle was reading to them the
marriage ceremony; and when It was
completed, the happy man gallantly kiss
ed the bilde aud led her to bis own pew,
now aud forever Mrs. 5oel Jones.
II ever Thanksgiving sermon failed to
reach listening ears il did that day, for
the little congregation wefe In a most
blIssinl aatter. They had actually wit
messed 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 bcnediction said, how hearty we're
The congratulations, and how proud and
happy the bridegroom, aud how bright
aud biushing the bridel Away they
dashed at last, amid cheers and the merry
chimes OF bells. At The cottage they
paused and took 10 the little brood-as
the farmer called tbem-and then drove
merriiy on, amid youthful shouts aud