Stevens County tribune., 1879-11-27

and blushing the bridel Away they
dashed at last, amid cheers and the merry
chimes of the bells. At the cottage they
paused and "took it the little BROOD
as the farmer called them and then
drove merrily on, amiu the youthful
shouts and laughter, to his great white
farm house, whose blue curling smeke
proclaimed the warmth and good cheer
within.
"As live," exclaimed Betsey, looking
out of the window, ''if Joel hain't brought
! that stuck-up widow Burton and her
brats to dinner. There won't be hull
piece of the old-tashioncd chlney left on
the table. Ii had dreamed of his bring
ing them, Wouldn't have put it on, even
| if Joel did insist on it."
The widow Burton and her brats-as
she called them-were ushered into the
parlor by the master, where cheerful
fire blazed, and where Miss Betsey stitfly
received them and their wrappings.
When dinner was announced, very
much to her disgust, her brother came
out with the little woman upon his arm
and leading the youngest child by the
hand.
"If ye have no objection, Betsey," said
he, I'D like to place this little woman at
the head OF my table, specially as it is
the position she is likely to occupy the
rest of her days, thank God"
"Joel, you hain't goin tu git married2"
screamed the horrified spinster, and she
almost dropped the ''chiney" pot of
scaldinS tea In her excitement.
"Never again in my life," he chuckled,
as he seated his new vie at the head of
the table, despite her protest; and as he
spoke he stopped and kissed her, while
Betsey looked on in blank and Mortified
amazement, utterly speechless at such
disreputable conduct, "fer this day, in
Centeryllle Church, this little woman
has promised to share my bed and board
for the rest of her mortal days."
"Married9" gasped Betsey, "and all
them ar children?"
"Yes, they all belong ter me. thank
God. I've got some folks of my own now,
Betsey, and no more lonely days and
nights for me. or cherries Thanksgiv-
ings.'
He hustled about and seated each lit
tie child, rewarded by a fearful glance
of gratitude from their mothers eyes.
Then such tremendous prayer of thanks
giving praise as ascenned from that
beautiful board, was rarely heard by men
or angels. Then came the feast. And
how everybody did eat except Miss Bet
sy. She received the praise of her cook
ing in ishtful silence, and actually re-
fused to taste the brides cake"
mo wonder" thought she, ''that Joel
was so sot on having it made. I'd have
cut my right hand off before I'd have
touched it, if l had only known what
he was about-the sly cid fool"
The next day she packed her trunk
and depalted to find home with some
| other of her relatives in Connecticut,
positively refusing TO share home with
the new mistress where she had SO long
reigned supreme. And when year later
she received a letter from her brother
Joel, announcing the birth of son to
this last and happy wedlock, she ex-
claimed:
''There's no fool like an old fool"
She consigned the missive to the
flames with the words. But peace and
prosperity smiled upon her brother as
the happy husband and father and the
''ittle q oman" blessed the day she ac-
cepted the rough diamond for lite
partner-all of her DAYS being those of
THANKSGIVING