The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-08-04

, vas 10 lie, the poor bridegroom VINO hss
been following on tiptoe, uttered sroan
and Jack turned round and saw him,
"shiver my timbers, messmaie, locke
horc. said Jack iuriouslyi why are yo'
playing spy like thisf Go to your wife
sir. I'm ashamed Of you leaving be-
alone ON her wedding day "
utI----, i" stammered John Hodges
!, See here. mate. exclaimed Jack Mead
ows, III catch you oayosdropping aeait
I'll give you the soundest thrlshins yot
ever had in your life, though tits YOU
wedding day"
Poor John stole OF erestiallen and mis-
cradle.
Everybody in Slocum knew the sort ol
man Jack was, and nobody was inclined tt
risk putting him in a rage.
Matters might have become serious, fol
nobody conld think Of any way to get rid
OF Jack. who was terrible wet blanket te
tho festivities. Evening was coming on,
the guests were going, and Jack was talk
ing Of what nice quiet half-hour's chat
he and Jenny would have when the bride
and bridegroom had gone to their own
home.
At last, when all the guests were gone,
and there were only the hands on the
premises, and Jack and Jenny and the
bridegroom and Maggie Smith, and Jack
showed no signs of taking his departure,
Mr.. Hodges grew desperate, and deter
mined to go of at once to the nearest
magistrate, swear that he was in terror OF
his life, and demand police escort to pro-
tect him, and turn Jack ont.
But Jack saved him the trouble by
bringing matters to climax.
He deliberately thrust Mr.. Hodges and
Maggie out of the sitting room and locked
the door,
Mr.. Hodges danced about outside knock
ing and humping and shouting; but Jack,
paying no attention, went over where Jen-
ny set and found her trembling like n
frightened bird
Jenny he SAID softly, Il haven't had
minute to speak to you alone to-day, and
| must leave Slocum tonight, | conldn't
90 without word or two, and sol was
obliged to lock that troublesome fool out.
Jenny tell me the honest truth do you
love me still?"
Jenny looked. Light loomed in the
sky.
II will tell the truth, Jack. Five years
have made difference in my feelings"
"And very natural, too, my lass And
so they have mipe; but l wanted to be
straight and honest with you | have
seen girl l could love better than you,
Jennie, but wouldn't say word to her,
till I'd seen how the land lay here. Here,
Jenny, take this, and God bless youl'
Jack had drawn from his breast pocket a
ragged old paper.
1t was the bond OF blood
With little cry of Joy, Jenny seized it,
and tore it into atoms.
"Oh Jack" she cried, 'you'ye taken
such load from my heart We were
afraid you'd murder us all if you found 1t
out, and so we had to deceive you. 1t is
my wedding you have assisted at to-day.
WHAT roared Jack, "Your wedingF
"Yes, aud Mr.. Hodges is my husband,
and you've used m.shamefully, and Mag
gies only the bridesmaid, and we changed
bonnets and things"
Jack dropped into chair and roared
with laughter till the tears streamed down
his face.
Then he ran to the door and unlocked
it, and let in poor John Hodges, who was
almost black in the face.
Come in, old fellow" said Jack; I'm
sure beg your pardon. But it's all your
own fault. Dash it all mani you didn't
think Jack Meadows was such a blood
thirsty dog as oil that, did you? There go
and give Mrs. H. a kiss, and never mind
mel You've got lot of lost time to make
up for, and it's all my fault, SO Eli say
goodnight, and give Maggie here my arm
back to the village.
Mr.. Hodges gave sigh Of relief Al
last he was the happy possessor ofhis own
bride, an there was no fear of his being
/
married and killed on the same day.
He shook hands warmly with Jack, and
then, with a hearty goodnight and man
ly grip OF the hand, the sailor looked into
his false sweethearts eyes for the last
time and went off with Maggie without q
sigh.
He, too, was glad to be rid Of his foolish
vow, for in a north-country town he knew
a dark-cyed lassie who would be truer to
him than the millers daughter ofSlocum
had been, the bond Of blood notwithstand'
ing.