Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-08-03
Gales ano Sketfbts.
CaRIsfIAyAs WEDDING DRESS.
By MRS. SCHUYLER B. HORTON.
CONTINUED from Yesterday

con Joel uneaslly.
'.And ! mean to find the dear old lady
that sent it before I've been in Middleport
many days"
The Deacon bresthed freely again. bu;
there was an odd look a: the corners OF
his mouth that Chrissy noticed, wonder
fue1y.
There was a short pause. then sudden
thought struck her.
''Perbaps you can tell me who she is
Do you know any old lady in Middleport
who had a daughter Christiana that dieda''
You see Chrissy, in her positive way,
had jumped at her conclusions.
'N-no, don't think ! do" said the
Deacon. doubtfully.
.'She wrote note said Chrissy, ex-
planning. land slipped it into the pocket
its there now, - she added. in a soft
ened Notwithstanding to have the
dress given to somebody named Christiana
and that's how got il. There." she said.
breaking of abruptly. That's the house!
1t amt changed one mite. Don't get out.
can step down perfectly well. | am very
much obliged to you. Deacon Emmett. -
and with nod and u smile she scrambled
down, and went in at the door where
,
and Suke and Deacon Joel went thought
fully on and through their own gateway.
short distance beyond.
..She'll find us out" he said to Snke as
he took of her binders. 'She's that
kind She'll find out about what she's a
min to. sh'd feel like a goose if twas
some folks, but dunno as / care-for
her !" he concluded ambiguously.
"I'm glad Deacon Emmett happened
down at the train to give YOU ride up"
said Johns wife when the first greetings
were over.
IL don't know laughed Chrissy. Il
can't vouch for it, but do believe could
ha' walked as fast as that animal Of his
trotted. WHY, it gave me the fidgets To
zee her poke along. And all he did was
TO hitch ut the rens and cluck at her. |
don't believe he had whip in the wagon"
whip? Quaddy!' said Uncle Siny,
using his pet ejaculation. II dunno rs
Suke ever felt the tickle Of whip lash in
her life. Deacon Joel's father was Jest so
with animals, but his grandfather now
his grandfather was different. I've hearn
my father tell how I folks from all the
country round ID bring in their colts for
old Squire Emmett 10 break for 'em.
Quaddy. guess there wouldn't nobody
want Deacon Joel to break colt for 'em.
If Suke's she best he can do. His father
was Jest so. Nice men, nice men, both
on 'em. but wonderful easy"
al should think so.' said Crissv.
deacon Emmetts rs gentle spoken as n
baby; but it struck me that he was Kind
o queer"-tappiDg her forhead signifi-
cantly and looking inquiringly at Johns
wife-"why. he looked rs if he hardly
knew whether to laugh or cry when was
tellin' about the fires -
Mercy, no." laughed Johns wife.
There all anything like that the matter
with Deacon joel. Why. bless YOU, he's
one Of our solid men here-one of the
pillars of the church. He most always
has laughing look on his face. and
s'pose he did feel kind q like cryin'
when you told him about things out there !;
that must ha' been it,
There were long stories for Chrissy to
tel to eager listeners that night.
"And your boxes from Middleport came
10 Wecumseh." she said. rs she ended a
long recital of the losses and hard-hips OF
the sufferers. This dress was in one of
'em; it was sent by an old lady who want
ed it given to somebody named Christina.
She said il was the name of the woman
who used to wear il and she was dead. |
thought remembered most everybody in
Middleport; but could't seem 10 think
who 1t could be. s'pose you can tell.
though"
Uncle Siny stroked his chin thoughtful
ly.
Lets see," he said There was An
son Wilburs wife, she was Christinv.
Her father was old Parson Racket. He
was a master hand at telln' of story.
Quaddy! he never'd Spite good story
cause he was in the pulpit: Eve hearn
him tell some purity tough yarns for par
son right in the pulpit. But she must ha'
been dead nigh - year by this time.
There amt never been many O the name
O. Christiany here. alus thought Your
mother named you for old Miss Chrisiiany
Petty. She used to think sight o your
mother when she was a little gal. new
er took Miss Emily there in the world but
Miss Petty used To fetch out some sweet
flag or some cruller babies or something
or other she'd laid bv for her. But she
went to Boston fore your mother was
married and | amt never hearn what
become of her."
when you get father to goin' on
genealogies," laughed Johns wife. "hc
dunno where to stop. I've been thinkin'
and can't think of any one around here
but Deacon Emmett's sister-her name
was Christina
II didn't know Deacon Emmett ever
had sister," said Crissy, vague fear
growing within her.
Lem see, she must ha' been dead
when You was here-six years ago p
said Johns wife. ''Oh. yes; it must he
AS much as eight year since she died But
IL couldn't ba' been her. for her mothers
dead too, You said it was the mother
that wrote the note. | can't see who it
can be-"
But Crissy saw. although she did not
see fit to enlighten Johns wife. As rap
idly rs she had jumped at the wrong con-
clusion did she now jump ut the right
one; and when she got to bed she lay and
laughed, with mixture of tenderness
and humor. at the righteousness of the
thing until the tears rolled down her
cheeks.
1t was not long. however. before Johns
wife. too, saw, for Chrissy suddenl,
dropped all inquiry about ''Christiana.
and il anything was said about her dress
fastened to change the subject Aud by
and BY the Deacon began TO drop in in y
neighborly way--bringing basket OF
snicv vsn,,ins that ha had souuriad ,,,i