Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-01-06

uILle kltCLPu-
Its stormin' terribly, Miss Rurton,
and I guess your little Janey better not
think of going tonight"
''No. thank you. [ fear it would be
too tedious for the child. But will you
not be seated, Mr.. Jones, and get warm
before you go on"
s:Slim chance for that" thought he
But after an awkward pause he answer
ed: Il would like to have a word with
you in private. Miss Burton
With an expression Of surprise she
led the way into the cold and cherries
little sitting room.
Jane Burton" began he, after clear
ing his throat, "you and [ have known
each other since we war children. We
war young folks together, and though
you war er pile above me, [ always
loved We, but KNOWN [ warn't fit fer We
ter wipe yer old shoes on, [ never said
q word, and letyer marry Jim Burton,
while I took Nancy Price. Since then
Their good Lord has taken both on 'em,
leavin' you with an empty purse and
me with an empty house. Well, to
make long story short, hain't had
We out of my mind since [ war here this
mornin', and my heart is chuck full of
ye. And now Jane, if l ain good
eInuf fer yer, say so, and I'll try to do
my duty by We and the little ones.
During his earnest stammering
speech the poor woman had blushed
and grown like q full-blown rose, and
actually looked youthful again, and
like the fair young girl he had loved
before; and the tears dimmed her eyes
as she answered:
Il cannot think for d moment Of ac-
cepting so noble and generous an offer.
Reflect what q burden you would as
sumo. [ can bring you nothing but q
broken constitution and FIVE helpless
children. No, my good friend, I shall
think Of you ever as the kindcst and
best Of men.
She broke down completely, and
could only extend her hand. The good
man grasped it with vise-like 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 long and
earnestly that the little children grew
tired Of staying alone in the dark for
the mother had carried away the lamp
and the horses were stamping impa-
tiently outside in the storm.
God bless We, Jane. Yell come to
a big heart and warm, full house, said
the farmer, as the little woman smiled
her consent, and blushed more than
ever as he fervently kissed her and took
his departure.
If ever man walked on air, Joel Jones
did for the next two days, and Betsey
declared to the hired MAJ. that he act
ed jest like crazy critter," He was
almost omnip resent-went in and out
Of the house III q state Of mental dis
quiet, and mixed himself UP with
the domestic preparations for the COM
ing feast in the most prOmiscuous fash
ion. He insisted upon an immediate
plum cake being made-stoned rains,
beat eggs-and declared with many a
chuckle, when it was at last finished,
that it looked for all the world like
a brides cakew And then when Betsey
actually iced it, and placed q wreath
Of pressed and dried gorgeous autumn
leaves upon its bullying top by way of
ornament, hewas in ecstacies.
''Well, there il is, Joel, and | do
hope you are satisfied for once. Ye
will have d grand dinner, and no one
to eat It,. said his sister.
'Don't YOU believe that, Betsey. Jist
set the table for full half dozen be
side you and me. and see if [ don't
fetch along somebody to fill their
places when | come hum tomorrow
for church.
Betsey 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 Centerville were quite 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 beneath the robes, by his side.
And little later they actually took
away the breath Of the congregation as
they march up the aisle-the little
woman clinging to his arm-dressed
III some simple gray material, with a
rich shawl about her shoulders-the
very one he had purchased the day be-
fore, as he said, ''fOr sister Betsey." 4
pretty little gray velvet hat, with a
dash of lavender and white flowers and
ribbons, completed the delicate bride
like costume.
They passed many unoccupied pews,
and only paused when they had gained
4 position opposite the pulpit. And
then, before the wondering people re-
allied it, Parson Doolittle was reading
to them the marriage ceremony, and
when it was completed the happy man
gallantly kissed the bride, and led her
to his own pew, now and forever Mrs.
Joel Jones.
If ever q thanksgiving sermon failed
to reach listening ears it did that day,
for the little congregation were in the
most blissful futter. They had actual
ly witnessed the knitting Of two lives
together, and, though they were not
youthful ones, yet there was romance
in the suddenness and surprise Of the
whole thing.
The benediction said, how hearty
were the congratulations, and how
proud and happy the bridegroom, and
how bright and blushing the bride.
Away they dashed at last, amid cheers
and the merry chimes of the bells. At
the cottage they paused and took in
the little brood the farmer called
them-and then drove merrily on,
amid youthful shouts and laughter, to
his great white farm house, whose blue,
curling smoke proclaimed warmth and
good cheer within.
"As 1 live" exclaimed Betsey, look