The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-01-23
be frightful when dead. {"

bic brow and expressive mouth, and
would solemnly declare that if were
taken from her she would enter con-
vent, take the black veil and never more
behold the sun.
One of them raised the cloth, I knew
they were looking at me. Howard was
the chap she was spooney on, whom her
father had mentioned.
"Seems to me you don't feel very bad
about his dying, Miss Mullins" exclaim-
ed Howard, deliberately.
"Well, to tell the truth, " said my be-
trothed, II don't care very much about
it. If he had lived suppose should
have married him, because he was rich;
but was getting about sick of my bar
gain, for / knew l should always be
ashamed of him."
but you loved him." remarked How
ard.
mo, didn't! My affections were
wasted long ago on one who never re-
turned my love-" And my fast-fading
idol sighed heavily. They had now
covered my face again, and we're stand
ing within few feet of where l lay.
"About how long ago, Miss Mullins ?"
asked Howard.
"Oh! about one year or SO" with an
other sigh,
"About the time went away ?" inter
ruPted the cautious Howard.
well, yes, about that length Of
time" assented my dear affianced.
"Now, Miss Mu- -Muf- -Mufiins-you--
oh! you don't mean to insinuate that l.
II, OIL OIL too mnch bliss-am the
lucky"
Il don't mean to insinuate anything,
Mr.. Howard" and the angelic sweet
ness Of her voice became somewhat me-
tallic.
"Now, see here-P Pris- Pris- cilla-ohl
let me call you by that melodious name.
See here! ] always loved you; not for
your beauty, God knows, but for your
artlessness; 'pon my soul | did, and
would have proposed to you only /
heard you were engaged to the chap
that is stretched there.
ooh! Mr. 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 don't
Mr.. Howard me, my own Priscilla'
said Howard in a qnavering voice. Then
heard movement of feet, accompani-
ed by loud lip explosion. Mosesl how
mad gotl l tried to kick or CRATE my
teeth, but the devil q kick or CRATE
could raise was obliged to grin and
bear it. Bear it had to, but grin I
couldn't.
Soon my company left, and 1 was
again entertained by my own pleasant
, thoughts, until / 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 csme-so did the neighbors to
, my wake; aud from two old crones who
sat near me l learned to my horror that
l was to be buried next day.
"Of coure you are going to the funer.
tomorrow, Mrs. Frizzlebaum ?" said
: one of them.
I OH dear, yes, surely. I hope it may
n turn ont fine day, for wont to enjoy
my ride to the cemetery"
I then lost consciousness, and the
next heard we're the grating voices o
i Priscilla, my afianced, and her mother
Apparently they were brushing, busting
and giving the room a general sticking
h up before the funeral.
G SIS Howard to be one of the pall-bear
: 50" asked the voice OF my mother-in
a law that might have been.
a "He would be, gladly, but he hasn't
y suit Of black clothes, said my sweetest
o "Why, Priscilla! my child, don't yol
e remember Smiths black broadcloth; tn
suit is brand new know it will Fl
/, Howard. Call him in-he'G sitting il
# the ldtchen-and let him try them on.
3 Now, this black suit was particnla
8 favorite of mine, perfect fit that set m,
r. person Off to great advantage, and
r, made my blood boil 10 hear them talk s
coolly Of transferring it to my rival, 3
n be worn at my funeral. was gettinI
i very mad now. felt the crisis wa
II near, and I should either die or explod
to if they meddled with my black suit
n Priscilla took it down from the peg
/" knew 1t, for heard the buckles jingl
# --and made for the door. I tried t