Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-10-22

| ness OF her voice became somewhat me-
tallic.
CHOW, see here-Pris-P ris-cilla-oh
lot me call you by that melodious name
See here! [ always loved you; not fol-
your beauty, God knows, but for your
artlessness; 'pon my soul I did, and
would have proposed to you only
heard you were engaged to the chap
that is stretched there"
ooh! MIR. Howard" said Mrs. Smith
that was to be, giving little squeal.
Don't Mr.. Howard me. If you re-
turn my affection you must call me by
some pet names. Call me Harry-call
me Lovey-but for Heavens sake DOM
MIR. Howard me, my own Priscillal
said Howard, in quavering voice.
Then I heard movement of feet, &C
companied by loud lip explosion.
Moses! how mad I got! 1 tried to kick
or CRATE my teeth, but the devil kick
or CRATE could I raise. 1 was obliged
to grin and bear it. Bear it had to !;
but grin I couldn't.
Soon my company left, and I was
again entertained by my own pleasant
thoughts, until I again felt the cloth
gently removed from my face. A soft,
warm palm was laid on my forehead,
and the low, sweet voice of Minnie
Rivers whispered-well, no matter what.
Night came-so did the neighbors to
my wake; and from two old crones who
sat near me I learned to my horror that
/ was to be buried next day.
"Of course you are coming to the
funeral tomorrow, Mrs. Frizzlebaum ?"
said one of them.
ooh! dear, yes, surely. I hope it may
turn out fine day, for want to enjoy
the ride to the cemetery"
I then lest consciousness, and the
next heard were the grating voices of
Priscilla, my fancee, and her mother.
Apparently they were brushing, busting
and giving the room general Sticking
up before the funeral.
as Howard to be one of the pall-bear-
ers?" asked the voice of my mother-in-
law that might have been.
"He would be, gladly, but he hasn't
suit of black clothes" said my sweetest.
"Why, Priscilla! my child, don't you
remember Smiths black broadcloth; the
suit is brand new. I know it will fit
Howard. Call him in-hes sitting in
the ktchen-and let him try them on"
Now, this black suit was a particular
favorite of mine, perfect fit, that set
my person off to great advantage, and it
made my blood boil to hear them talk
SO coolly of transferring it to my rival,
to be worn at my funeral. was getting
very mad now. felt the crisis was near,
and that should either die or explode
if they meddled with my black suit.
Priscilla took it down from the peg-I
knew it, for heard the buckles jingle
and made for the door. I tried to
shake my fist, and yell at her, but all in
vain, and there [ lay, outwardly calm as
q lamb, my inwards boiling with wrath.
It was too much! The deepest trance
could not have held out against that
suit with a powerful effort I sprung
up and howled. Priscilla dropped my
clothes, her mother the buster, and both
bounded out of the room squealing like
shot rabbits. With difficulty I managed
to get YIN clothes, and had just got inside
my pants when Mrs. Mullins and her
daughter, headed by the undertaken,
peered in at the door; motley company
Of women and smuttyfaced children
stood in their rear. Such scared-looking
owls; enough to amuse dead man. So
[ laughed. It was not very becoming;
but laughed peal after peal till my
sides began to ache. Then the under
taker ventured near me, saying, rather
dubiously:
$50 you are not dead yet, Mr..
Smith,"
We'll, no, not exactly; sorry to dis
appoint my friends about the funeral,
however"
eyes," he assented, absently; "bad,
rather-that is-ahemi"
Fooled out of the dimes, carriage and
greys, my gal, thought 7, as I looked at
Priscilla.
"Go speak with him." said her father,
i'll an undertone; act your part well.
They now began to gather around
me and to congratulate me Oh my mar
row escape. I noticed they cried
great deal more than when I was dead.
Priscilla came and hung on my neck,
sniveling desperately. I gave her not
over-gentle push from me, and told her
to wait next time till I was safely buried
before she meddled with my clothes.
ooh! I'm SO glad!" she said, sweetly,
without appearing to notice what I said
about my clothes, "that you are not
dead, dear. My heart seemed withered
and broken to see you lying SO cold and
white. I wept bitterly over your poor,
angelic face, my darling"
Oh, yes, you did. I heard you and
Howard take on at furious rate. It
was a very lucky die for me, my ducky."
Gould you hear?" she gasped.
" 1 rather think could" I replied.
$50 good-by, my noble girl; you can
have the pleasure of calling Howard all
the pet names you can lay your tongue
to-" She made Decline for the open
door, and her pull-back was the last T
ever saw of her. Howard never mar
ried her, and hear she still lives life
of single blessedness. AS I am writing
this piece quiet little figure steals to
my side, and soft, white hand, which
sends thrill of pleasure to my heart,
is laid lovingly on my shoulder; yes,
the hand of Minnie Rivers, now Minnie
L