The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-01-22

words that made Miss sandcrson flush all TIP
and say, "Certainly not" and then step
back to me, for walk with Miss F!orric Of
her own accord she would not. I did pity
MIR. Bachelor, for what could the poor
man do, saddled with that young imp, Unless
ne affrOnted her out and out: and he didn't
dare do that, l knew, for 1T whose house
could he see Miss Carrie if not ut hers: SO
ne swallows his disappointment As we'll rs
ne could, and Miss Warburton joys along.
side OF Miss Hattie, and we could hear them
talking for dear life. looked at Miss Car.
re and wanted to say something to her, but
she seemed sort of strange with her lips
tight closed and a strained expression in her
eyes, aud couldn't breathe Mr.. Bachelors
name to her to save my life. Well, it was
long moonlight walk, but at last we come to
the church, and from Miss llattie's voice
you wouldn't have guessed there was much
tire about her. did think there was very
little light about the place for Il concert. but
we never suspected anything till we stepped
inside TOR the door was open}, and only saw
two men in the building. "Why, what is
this:' says Mr.. Bachelor, looking very
much astonished and walking upto the Older
OF the two men. 81 thought there was to
be q concert here tonight. Am mistakcn"
'lou didn't see the notice in the paper,'
says the other, smiling: III was obliged to
have Il ministers meeting here to-nig ht, so
we put of the music; the gentlemen will be
here In half an hour, and We couldn't we'll
have the two" | don't suppose Mr..
Batchellor knew who was talking to him, but
just then the other man come up, and says
he, ''Doctor Graham, if You don't want me
Tor few minutes Pm going into the vestry-
room.' every well, Ilarris," says the
other, and off went Harris. "IIave the
pleasure Of speaking to the pastor of the
church HIMSELF" says Mr.. Bachelor, look
ing surprised again. ''Yes," says the Doc
tor, laughing, II am the terrible Doctor
Graham that the ladies are all afraid Of"
And by thatl judged he was given to preach
against 1inc dressing, and wasting OF money
on useless things when there was lots OfEOOr
to be helped. | noticed Mr.. Bachelor
didn't introduce himself nor the ladies, but
he said they would like to 90 over the church
and see il. TIE Doctor was quite agreea-
bic, and then Miss Warburton insisted OH
carrying Miss Sauterson upstairs to see the
galleries. Miss Carrie asked to be excused,
but Miss FIOrrie told her she couldn't 90
alone; and though Mr.. Bachelor was very
anxious to 20 too when he found Miss Car
rie was going Miss Hattie was so tired she
said she couldn't possibly attempt it, and
she was sure MIR. Batchcllor wouldn't mind
taking care of her till the other two came
back. She did look 50 handsome and speak
SO uncommon fair that believe poor Mr..
Batcheii0r had his head little turned. lie
stayed anyway, and as soon as the others
were upstairs and ont O. sight Miss Hattie
pulls Mr.. Bachelor forward and says to the
minister (mind YOU, nearly dropped when
heard hcr), "-VaYy us at once. quick, or
it will he too late" The Doctor started and
stared, but Mr.. Bachelor went deadly pale
and seemed speeches.. He tried to say
something, but Miss Hattie pressed his arm
and looked into his face with the best put
on expression | ever saw. 81 love you and
Carrie does not" she said; 'do not forsake
me" DR.. Graham saw and heard, and
what gentleman would feel it right to tell
the truth when he was 50 placed! DR.. Gra-
ham looked frightened and asked Miss Hat
tie il she were twenty one, and she answered
Eyes. Please hurry" And knew for fact
she was seventeen and six months! But
she looked older and was generally taken
for twenty. saw the minister, poor man,
was going to give in, and made my last ef-
fort for Miss Carrie; stepped forward.
"Miss Hattie," says l. "Mrs. Carter"
says she firmly, remember your place."
and with that she put the book into the Doe
tors hands and impl0red him to begin.
Well, Mrs. TOmkins, my dear, my heart had
like to have broke, l just sat down in the
pew and cried. The minister didn't see
nothing In that except what was natural in
friend OF the poor girl. / suppose, and il
had plucked up courage to make objection
to the marriage when the question was ask
ed, had nothing serviceabie to say. Mr..
Bachelor was not engaged to Miss Carrie,
as far as | knew. And l was certain Miss
Hattie was marrying him for the money and
nothing more. But neither of these facts
would have been ofmnch use, so DR.. Ora.
ham finished the service and they were man
and wife! The GOODNESS Of that young
wretch! When it came to the time for the
gold band that had belonged to her mother,
MFR. Bachelor was obliged to put it on
the proper finger! had seen Miss Hattie,
when we first came into the church, take off
her red roses and pretend to fix them over,
but when / come to look at her after the GER
emory she hadn't bit of color near her, and
it's likely that what with the white dress
and the white bonnet the minister thought
the marriage had been arranged between
the two all along, and that the couple had
intended staying after the concert to be
Joined together.
Well, the last blessing had hardly been
said when down come the others, and Miss
Hattie-I mean Mrs. Bachelor, bad luck to
her-made one rush for them before | had
time to warn Miss Carrie. "Wish me ioy,
wish me JOY this minute! Pm married, pm
marriedw Miss Carrie looked turned to
stone, and drew her to u seat to try and
hide her faintness. Ibelieve her silence was
the first sign that let DR.. Graham know for
certain that the wedding was unexpected to
Mr.. Bachelor, for when Miss Hattie's hus.
band saw how Miss Carrie looked he sort of
groAned and said, "What have / doue"'
very low. Miss Hattie heard him, but she
wouldn't notice but went on chatterins to
Miss Florrie, and laughing good deal when
Miss Warburton called her by her new name.
Then knew Miss Florrie had been in the
secret all along, and had really kept her
promise to help Miss Hattie all she could,
and can tell you just wanted to choke her,
| did! twas all along Of her Miss Carrie
did feel so outrageous in all my days: and
Carries expression and Mr.. Batchellor's
white face, when their glances come across
one another.
Well, DR.. Graham, he seemed to get more
scared, and he spoke most solemn like to the
bridegroom, and began asking great many
question which he ought to have put before
he married the two; but Mr.. Bachelor, he
pretended to be very happy and satisfied
and all that, and began to hurry the party
away. | did think that Miss Sandersoi,
would never have strength to walk, she
seemed to have lost the power OF her limbs;
and ! wasn't mite sorry when Mr.. Datchel.
lOr whispered to me that was to get car.
riage and take Miss Florrie and Miss Sander
son home with me, and then slipped the fare
into my hand. He told me to do the best
could for him and his ecife Che said the word,
Mrs. Tomkins, my dear, looking like deathall
the whitley with her family, and had to
promise would, though not overjoyed, for
though the Wellses were wild for her to
marry Mr.. Bachelor, they had no notion
nor wish for anything but regular grand
wedding, with Mr.. Bachelor to pay most OF
the bills! Then he shook my hand and babe
us NIL good by: that is all hut Miss Carrie