Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-11-11

Mary was beginning her usual excuse,
when Tom interrupted her INDIGNANTLY:
III you say Ma this time, Mary, Ill
never ax you again BY the Blessed Vlr
gin sud al the saints"
"Whisht, then, whishN" cried Mrs.
McGarvey, laying her hand on his arm I;
Mary III no say that foolish word.
Where would she get boy like yourself =?
Not IN the tOwnlsnd o. Tamney, I'm
thinking. An maun die some day an
lave her; she be to look out for wee
spot % her ain then"
The kind woman turned from he lover
TO her dear founding, and said fondly:
'Ay, dear, you ha' been guide daughter
to me since the day found you a wee
starved cra'hure at my door ST ne, an |
know you'd stop wi me if said the
word; bat | dinna say it, Mary. You
maun join he world 4. e. marry soon or
synei better soon nor sYne! TAX this
decent boy, that likes you weel, an has
the snug place to tax you TIL, an my
blessing 90 WI your
With her gray eyes somewhat dimmed,
Mary kissed her mistress, and then re-
stored her hand 10 Toms hearty clasp: Il
spake the words now she said:
81 give to thee my pligh'ed roth,
My faith an trolh an my right han
That II You II marry nae itAer woman,
Then VIII marry nae ither man
There it's for you. Now, yours to me!
Tom plighted his faith to her with earn
estncss.
'Dinna break itp cried she, gelly :;
'dinna be slipping AVA before the wed
ding day. He's plenty to say ahent my
promise, Mrs, McGsrver, but may be it's
himself will rue, an be of to America,
and she glanced larghiDgly, but with q
we'll satisfied expression, ia the young
farmers handsome face.
Tom did not smile at her banter; he
seemed too thoroughly in earnest to jest
i strange very much that you'd be that
fOOlitch, Mary. pll be WI you, ss sure as
that day dawns.'
During their conversation the funeral
service had been performed, and the boats
had all set out from the pier The rough
country ponies had been unfastened from
the rings in the wsll, and, man and
woman Upon each were being ridden
homeward IS fast as their double burdens
would admit; for the piercing wind had
fallen, and the heavy clouds were coming
Gown IN snow.
Come to dinner VII us, an we'll fix
tut AAt, I'LL iOltCt MS ttFtitlLts Il alhCi
Dan" said Mrs MCGarvey. So Tom dined
at Tamney, and before long everything
was arranged The wedding was to take
place on the following Wednesday. The
snow was still falling thickly, when Tom
tore hims elf away, and, much against the
advice of his friends, set out for the ferry.
He declared that they had no reason to
fear for him; that he knew the way well,
and must certainly get home that even
ing, as he would have little enough time
to prepare for his brides fitting recep.
ton.
The snow WAS several feet in depth next
morning, but Notwithstanding outward
gloom and cold, the preparations went on
merrily. Mrs. Mctiarvey hired fiddler;
she unlocked her finest fitch Of bscon
from the beam before the kitchen fire;
she ordered piece of beef, and she sent
her son 10 shebeen house to bespeak
huge jar OF poteen.
Wednesday morning arrived and found
a blithe stir 10 the farmhouse. The boys
snd girls, friends of the bride, who were
to accompany her TO chapel were their in
their Sunday dress They had come sing
ing and Joking over the crisp snow, now
so frozen as to afford pleasant walking;
and as they looked around at Mrs, Nectar
veys Enuntitul preparations, and camph-
mented Mary upon her dress and her good
looks, they began to wonder that the
bridegroom did not appear, for the bridal
train could not set ont for MsssmOuth un.
I'll he came. So great had been the hustle
ell the morning, that Mrs. McGarvey had
forgotten 10 milk the cows at the usual
hour; she now repaired to the cow-house,
with her gown tucked up, and carrying
the piggin and milk can. Poor Mary, a
little annoyed by The remarks OF the young
people, had found out her whereabouts,
ana followed her.
4 cannot help stranging that Toms not
here vet was her mistress greeting.
'Ay, that's what they're all saying re-
Piled the bride, letting tear iall upon
the white ribbons of her new bonnet
Dina TAX on, dear said Mrs. McGar
vey, observing the signal of distress, din
ma talk on, for he'll be here in wee MIN
ute. surely
There he Is, coming to the bryce cried
Mary, in very different tone,
where, dear ? asked the mistress, look
ing M bewildered.
oWhy, there-there IN the doorway"
81 dinna see him, there's nobody there,
Mary, darliu','
NO, for he's just gone sws' to the
house, an he didna speak to me-" said
Mary, hslf puzzled, halt angry "It that's
the way WI Tom, there's plenty OF ither
boys wad lie proud"
"Whisht dear" Interrupted Mrs. Nc
Garvey, well gaze ito the house an hear
what he has TO say Tor himself
Mary stood in The lively kitchen like