Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-14
Gales ano Skftlbrs
TON CeSLAx's TRTsTE.
fcon.inucd from yestcr,Iss.

During their conversation the filnera.
service had been performed. and the boats
had all set out from the pier. The rough
country ponies had been uDfastened from
the rings in the wall. and, man and
woman upon each. were being ridden
homeward as fast as their double burdens
would admit; for the piercing wind had
fallen, and the heavy clouds were coming
down in snow
''Come to dinner wi us. an well fix
the day, an notice his reverence. Father
Dan," said Mrs. McGarvey. So Tom
dined at Tamney. and before long ever
thing was arranged. The wedding was
to take place on the following Wednesday.
The snow was still falling thickly, when
Tom tore himself away and. much against
the advice Of his friends, set out for the
ferry. He declared that they had no rea-
son to fear for him that he knew the way
well, and must certainly get home that
evening. as he would have little time
enough to prepare for his brides fitting
reception.
The snow was several feet in depth next
morning, but notwithstanding outward
gloom and cold. the preparations went on
merrily. Mrs. McGatvey hired a fiddler:
she uahooked her finest fitch OF bacon
from the beam before the kitchen fire she
ordered piece Of beef. and she sent her
son 10 shebeen house to bespeak a huge
jar Of poteen.
Wednesday morning arrived, and found
blithe stir ut the farmhouse. The BOYS
and girls, friends Of the bride, who were
TO accompany her TO chapel, were there
In their Sunday dress. They had come
singing and Joking over the crisp SNOW.
now so frozen as TO afford PLEASANT walk
ing and rs they looked round at Mrs
Mctiarvey's bountifnl preparations. aud
complimeuted 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 Mass
mount until he came. So great had been
the hustle all the morning that Mrs. Me
Garvcy had forgotten to milk the cows at
the usual hour she now repaired to the
cowhouse. with her gown tucked up. and
carrying the piggan and milk-can. Poor
Mary. little annoyed by the remarks Of
the young people, found out her where
abouts. and followed her.
IL cannot help stranging that Toms
not here yet. was her MISTRESS
greeting.
"Ay. that's what they're all saving"
replied the bride. letting tear fall upon
the fine white ribbons Of her new bonnet
'.Dinna tax, on, dear" said Mrs. Me-
Garvey. observing the signal of distress,
"dinna tax on for he II be here in a minute
surely"
There he is coming TO the byrc, y cried
Mary in very different tone.
"Wherc, dear" asked the mistress
looking up, bewildered.
''Why there-there in the doorway"
Il dinna see him there's nobody there
Mary, darlin'"
mo. for he'z just gone away to the
house. an he didna speak to me, said
Mary halfpuzzlcd, half-angry. ''lf that
is the way wi Tom, there's plenty of ither
boys wad be proud
whist. dear" interrupted Mrs Ne
Garvey well gae into the house and an
hear what he has to say for himself
Mary stood in the lively kitchen like
one lost in painful bewildermeut.
What is it, jewel p asked her mis-
tress.
What ails you, Mary ?" cried the
guests. crowding around her.
Tom was in thon corner amang We all
when came in; what CARS him hide frae
me | can tell him III no TAX it too
weel. said Mary. wrapping her arms in
her new shawl. since she had no apron to
tw list.
Tom Why. girl, he dina come in at
all at all. You can search if you PLACE.
but Wen bold Won Tom is ma in this
house. cried the Young prople with one
voice.
There again P'' cried she. there.
stumbling by the dresser"
All followed the direction of her ewes,
but saw nothing Fear laid his chilly hand
upon the company. and there was dead
silence until Mary drew long breath.
and sobbcd Hes gone now the blessed
saints preserve US Something has hap
pened to Tom" So saving she sank up
on the creepie in the chimney corner. and
cried bitterly.
\ message WAS sent to the priest to tell
him that there could he no wedding that
day, and then the neighbors consulted
what was TO he done next They were
much frightened. but did not like to lose
the good dinner. and it would he sin to
leave the jar of poteen undrunk So they
decided on staying to console the bride.
Just then steps came to the door. and
Toms father and uncle appeared. They
came To ask il 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 dav
ut Mrs. McCarvey's. They had not felt
uneasy until Tuesday. thinking that he
had probably been prevailed upon to re-
main at Tamnev until the snow should
cease 10 fall: hu. when Tuesday dawned
brightly. and the ground was frozen hard.
they began TO wonder at his non-arrival.
The whole assembly spoke together. re-
lating the events above described and
poor Mary continued to weep.
"He's met wi an unfair death-my
sons no more" said the father. Come.
Dan." Ito his brotherl 1--WE maun raise
the country an max u search for him.
God comfort YOU an me bath. nv lass"
And laying his horney hand on the poor
girls head. he departed with detected
steps.
The dinner was eaten. and the whiskev
drunk. and the guests. in merry condi-
ton. went off to n neighbours barn. taking
the fiddler with them. Mary put on her
working dress. and helped her mistress
10 wash the dishes
During the rest of the week, Tom APP
peared to her once or twice day: he
Al