Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-11-23
WOODSTOCK, VERMONT, NOV. 23, 1881.

accepting so noble and generous an
offer, Reflect what burden you
would assume, ] can bring you nothing
but broken constitution and five help.
less children, No, my good friend, ]
shall think Of you ever as tho kindest
and best Of men,"
She broke down completely, and
could only extend her hand. lie
graspcd II with u yisc-likc pressure,
and as the little woman began to sob
he took her in his great strong arms
and to his ample breast, whether she
would or no, and talked so earnestly
and long that the children grew tired
Of staying alone in the dark (ior their
mother had carried away the lamp,
and the horses were stamping inpatient
ly out in the storm,
"God bless ye, Jane Ye'll come to
big heart, and warm full house,"
said the farmer, as the little woman at
last smiled her consent, and blushcd
more than ever as he iervcntly kissed
her and took his departure,
If ever u man walked on air, Joel
Jones did for the next two days, and
Bctsey declared to the hired man that
he acted just like n crazy man. lie
was almost omniprcscnt-went in and
out of the house in u state of mental
disquiet, and mixed himself up with
domestic preparations for the coming
feast in the most promiscuous fashion.
lie insisted upon IN immense plum
cake being madc-stoncd raisins, beat
en- eggs-and declared with many q
chucklc, when it was at length finished,
that it looked for all the world like n
brides cake And then when Betsey
actually iced it, and placed a wreath of
pressed dried autumn leaves upon its
bulgcd top by way Of ornaments, he
was in ccstasies.
"Wal, there it is, Joel, and do
hope you are satisfied for once. You
will have u grand dinner, and no one
to it said his sister.
"Don't you believe that, Betsey.
Jist sit the table for full half dozen
besides you and me, and see if don't
fetch along somebody ter iill their places
when | come hum to-morrer from
church"
Bctscy gave sniff of disapproval,
but continued the completion of the
preparations, thinking what an old fool
her brother was getting to be.
Thanksgiving day dawned clear and
bright, though very cold, and the good
folks of Ccntreville were surprised to
see Farmer Jones come dashing up to
the church door, in his fine new sleigh,
with most jubilant chime Of bells and
the widow Burton snugly tucked be-
meath the robes by his side. And a
little later they actually took away the
breath of the congregation as they
marched up the aisle-the little woman
clinging to his arm, dressed in some
simple gray material, with rich shawl
about her shoulders the very one he
had purchased the day before, and, as
he said, for his sister, Betsey. A pref
ty little gray velvet hat, with dash Of
lavender and white flowers, and rib.
bons, completed the delicate, bridelike
costume.
They passed many unoccupied pews,
and only paused when they had gained
a position opposite the pulpit. And
then, before the wondering people real
lied it, Parson Doolittle was reading
to them the marriage ceremony, and
when it was completed the happy mar
CALAMITY kissed the bride and led her to
his own pew, now and forever Mrs.
Joel Jones.
If ever Thanksgiving sermon failed
to reach listening ears it did that
day, for the little congregation was IL
most blissful futter. They had
actually witnessed the knitting of two
lives together, and though they were
not youthful ones, yet there was ro,
nance in the suddenness and surprise
of the whole thing.
, The benediction said, how hearty
were the congratulations, and how
proud and happy the bridegroom, ant
; how bright and blushing the bride
Away they dashed at last, amid cheers
| and the merry chimes of bells. AT th'
cottage they paused and took in the
, little brood-as the farmer called then
7 and then drove merrily on, annie
E youthful shouts and laughter, to hi
great white farmhouse, where blue
: curling smoke proclaimed warmth ant
good cher within.