River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-01-06

anu grown Ike II luIl-btDWI rose, ant
actually looked youthful again, anC
like the fair young girl he had loved
before; and the tears dimmed her eye:
as she answered:
Il cannot think for moment of ac
cepting so noble and generous an offer
Reflect what bur1en you would as
sumo. | can bring YOU nothing but {
broken constitution and five helples:
children. No, my good friend, | shall
think of you ever as the kindest anC
/ best of men"
She broke down completely, anC
could only extend her hand. The gooC
man grasped it with yise-like pressure
and as the little woman began to sob
he took her in his great strong arm;
and to his ample breast, whether she
would or no, and talked so long anC
earnestly that the little children grew
tired of staying alone in the dark lfol
the mother had carried away the lamp,
and the horses We're stamping impa
| tiently outside in the storm.
God bless We, Jane Ye'll come Il
big heart and warm, full house sale
the farmer, as the little woman smiled
her consent, and blushed more thar
ever as he fervently kissed her and tool
his departure.
If ever man walked on air, Joel Jones
did for the next two days, and Betsey
declared to the hired mar that he act
ed Jest like a crazy critter.' He waS
almost Omnipresent-went in and ou
( Of the house in a state of mental dis
/ quiet, and mixed himself up with
the domestic preparations for the com
| ing feast in the most prOniscuous fash
ion. He insisted upon an immediate
/ plum cake being made-stOned rains
| beat eggs-and declared with many 4
! chuckle when it was at last finished
! that it looked for all the world Ike
a brides cakew And then when Betsey
actually iced it, and placed a wreath
of pressed and dried gorgeous autumn
leaves upon its bulging top by way Of
| ornament, he was in ccstacies
well, there it is, Joel, and | dc
hope you are satisfied for once. Ye
will have IA grand dinner, and no one
to eat il" 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 disapproyal,
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 CenterYille were quite surprised
to see Farmer Jones come dashing up
to the church door, in his fine new
sleigh with a most jubiant 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
in 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." \
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
a 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
calamity kissed the bride, and led her
to his own pew, now and forever Mrs.
Joel Jones.
If ever a thanksgiving sermon failed
to reach listening ears it did that day,
for the little congregation were in the
most blissful flutter. They had actual
" 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'-as the farmer called
then-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.
CAS- | live" exclaimed Betsey, look
ing out of the window, ''if Joel hain't
brought that stuck-up Widow Burton
and her brats to dinner. There wont
be a whole piece of the Old-fashioned
chimney left on the table. If | had
dreamed Of his bringing them wouldn't
have put it on even if Joel did insist
on it."
The Widow Burton and her brats-
as she called them were ushered in
to the parlor by the master, where a
cheerful fire blazed, and where Miss
Bctsey stifily received them and their
wrappings.
When dinner was announced, very
much to her disgust, the brother came
out with the little woman upon his
arm, and leading the youngest child by
the hand.
IF We have no objection Betsey,"
said he I'D like to place this little
woman at the head of my table, 'spc-
cially as it is the position she is likely
to occupy the rest of her days, thank
| God"
Joel, ye hain't goin' tn git marred?''
screamed the Mortified spinster, and
she almost dropped the chimney pot
! OF scalding tea in her excitement
Never again in this life, he chuckled,
as he seated his new wife at the head
of the table, drspite her protest; and as
he spoke, he stopped and kissed her,
while Betsey looked on in blank and
Mortified amazement, utterly speech
less at such disreputable conduct, 'for
| this day in Centerville church this little
/ woman has promised to share my joys
and SORROWS for the rest of her mortal
| days
"Married?n gasped Botsey, "and all
them ar children?"
"Yes, they all belong to me, thank
God. I've got some folks Of my own
now, Betsey, and no more lonely days
and nights for me, or cherries Thanks
giyings."
He hustled about and seated each
little child, rewarded by a fearful
glance of gratitude from their mothers
eyes. Then such tremendous
prayer of thanksgiving praise as as
cended from that bountiful board, was
rarely heard by mon or angels. Their
came the feast. And how everybody
did eat except Miss Betsey. She re
ceived the praise OF her cooking in q
frightful silence. and actually refused
to taste the brides cake.