New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-10-10
hand to TOMS hearty clasp: I spake the
words now che said:
Il gle to thee my plghted troth,
My faith an troth an my right ham,
That il you'll marry nae ither woman.

There it's for you. NOW, yours 10 me !
Tom plighted his faith TO her with earnestness.
'Dinna break ,itp cried she, gaiy :. dinna be
slipping AVA before the wedding-day hes
plenty to say apent my promise, Mrs. NC
Garvey, but maybe it's himself will rne, an be
off to America and she glanced langhlngly. put
with a well-Satisfied expression, I'D the! young
farmers handsome face.
Il ON did not smile at her banter; he seemed
too thoroughly in earnest to jest strange
very much that you'd he that fOolitch, Mary.
I'll he wi you, as sue as that day dawns.'
During their conversation the funeral service
had been performed, and the boats had oil Sc.
out from the pier. The rough country ponies
had been unfastened from the rings in the
wall and q man and woman upon each, were
being ridden homeward as fast as their double
bu dens would admit; for the piercing wind
had fallen, and the heavy clouds were COM
ing down in snow.
'Come TO dinner wi us, an well fix the day,
an notice his reverence, Father Dan, SAID
Mrs. McGaivey. So Tom dined at lamney,
and before long everything was arranged. he
wedding was to take place on the following
Wednesday. The snow was still falling tlnckly,
when I ON tore himself away. and, much
against the advice of his friends, set ont for
the ferry. He declared that they had no reason
to fear foI him that be knew the way well,
and must certainly get home that evening, as he
would have little enough time 10 prepare for
his brides fitting reception.
The snow was several feet in depth next
morning, but notwithstanding outward gloom
anC cold, the preparations went on mclrlly
Mrs. McGarvey hired fiddler; she unlocked
her finest fitch of bacon from the beam before
the kitchen fire; she ordered piece OF beet
and she sent her son to a shebecn house to be-
speak a huge jar OF poteen.
Wednesday morning arrived, and fOund q
blithe stir in the farm house. The boys ana
girls friends of the bride, who were to accom-
pany her to chapel, were there III their Sunday
dress. Trey had come singing and Joking over
4, To. flor
pleasant walking; and as they looked round at
Mrs. McGarveys bountiful preparations and
compimented 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 out for MassmOunt until he came.
So great had been the hustle all the morning
that Mrs. McGarvey had forgotten to milk the
cows at the usual hour she now repaired TO
the cOwL ousc, with her gown tucked MP. and
carrying the piggin and milk can. Pour Mary,
people. found out heI whereabouts, and fol-
lowed her.
Il cannot help strangng that Toms not here
yet, was her mistresss greeting.
Ay, that's what they're all saying replied
the bIlde, letting tear fall upon the llne wmte
ribbons of her neN bonnet.
'Dinna TAX on, DEAR, said Mrs. McGarvey,
observing tile signal of distress, dinna taxi on,
for he'll be here in wee minute surely
There he is, coming to the oyre' cIied
Mary, in a very different tone.
Where, dear 2 asked the mistress, looking
up, bewiidered
why, there there IN the doorway
Il dInna see him; there's nobody there,
Mary, darin'.'
didna speak to me, said Mary, half-puzzled,
half-apgry If that's the way wi Tom, there's
plenty of ither boys wad be proud
'Whisht, dear interrupted Mrs. McGarvey,
well gae t into the house an bear what he has
Mary stood in the lively kitchen like one Mt
terly lost in painful bewllderment.
What is it, jewel 2 asked her mistress.
What alls you, Mary 2 cried tho guests,
round her.
Tom was in thon corner amang We all when
! came in; what gars him hide irae mel l
can tell him I'll no taxi 1t TOO weel, said Mary,
her arms in her new shawl, since she
had no apron to twist.
Toni Why, girl, he didna come in OF all
at all. You can search if you place, but We'll
hold You Tom isna in this house, replied the
young people with one voice.
'Thele again cried she. There, standing
at the dresser
Ali followed the direction of her eyes, but
saw nothing. Fear laid his chilly hand upon
the com pany and there WAS dead silence until
Mary drew a long breath, and sObbed: He's
gone now; tho blessed saints preserve MS
Something has happened to Tom. So saying she
sank upon the creepe in the chimney corner,
and cried bitterly.
A message was sont TO the priest to tell him
that there could be no wedding that day, ana
then the neignbors consulted what was to he
done next. They were much frightened, put
did not like TO lose the good dinner, and it
would be a sin to leave the jar ut p0teen I'M
drunk so they decided On staying to console
the BRIDE.
Just then steps came to the door, and Toms
father and uncle appeared lhey came 10 ask
if anything had been heard of Tom, for they
had not seen him since the Sunday morning
when he set out for chapel, saying he meant
to spend the day at Mrs. McGaIvey's. They
had not felt uneasy until Tuesday thinking
that he had probably been prevailed upon to
remain at Tamney until the snow should cease
to fall but when Tuesday dawned brightly,
and the ground was frozen hard, they began TO
wonder at his non arrival
The whole assembly spoke together, relating
timed to weep.
He's met VII an unfair death-my sons no
more said the father. Come, Dan ito his
brOther) we maun raise the country an max
a search for him. God comfort you an me
bath, my LASS And laying his hOrney hand
OH the poor girls head lie departed WIN de-
jected steps.
The dinner was eaten, and the whskey drunk,
and the guests, in merry condition, went oil
TO a neighbours barn. taking the fiddler with
them. Mary put on her working dress, and
helped her mistress TO wash the dishes
During the rest of the week, Tom appeared
TO her once OF twice day; he never remained
very long not more than minute or two, and
continued to be invisible to others. the boat
man declared ne bad rowed him across Moross
Ferry on Sunday evening, and had watched him
climb the mountain road, and disappear over
he crest of the hill f; but there all trace OF hlm
vas lost, and inquiry was alike IN vain.
On Saturday, however, a rapid thaw set in,
and in lonely part of the road where the snow
had drifted, TOMS body was found. Whether
ne had succumbed to sudden illness, or feeling
weary had sat down to rest and been overtaken
y in do wsipess would never now be known.
lie had decent wake and funeral, and was
buried in Massmount with much keening and
Try of plovcr, and Changing of the bell and it
vas hoped that his poor soul would now have
est.
he evening fireside, in the byre, and i'll the
ield. he came to her, and to her only.
She put on her cloak one day, and went to