Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-02-16

Next day John was to return to c.,
and Aunt Susan was to accompany him,
for the double purpose Of paying her
sister-John's mother-a visit, and wit
Messing the ceremony which should give
to John wife.
This wedding was very dear to her
heart; first, because she loved John very
dearly, and second. because he had
bought a lovely little nest Of home
close byl her house, and was-after a
reasonable trip-to bring his young wife
here, under Aunt Susan motherly wing,
while he began his career as lawyer in
the brisk little village near by.
Nothing short Of the immense impor-
tance Of this event could have induced
the good woman to commit the daring
act of risking her neck upon railroad !;
for the twenty miles journey was as for
midable to her, with her old-time
notions, as would visit to India be to
town-bred man.
The morning arrived, and Aunt
Susan, with many injunctions and eau
tions, at last took her place in the
wagon which was to convey her to the
depot.
John delayed few moments to take
special parting with Uncle Phil. What
was said no one heard save the parties
interested but Johns low words called
forth series of energetic words from
his uncle, and diy, hard chuckle, be-
tokening an unusual amount of interest.
The journey ended safely, and Aunt
Susan was beginning to feel at home on
springs, and to sleep in spite of the
noise in the street, when letter from
home completely upset the good woman,
and threatened to start her on the
homeward track without delay.
'sThe house has been robbed" wrote
Phil. 81 was going down to see Mar
thy"-his sister, s'and it sot in to
storm SO hard I stayed all night. Wall,
when got home I thought things
looked sorter queer, and sure enough,
/ found lots of things gone. The bu-
reau in the buttery, and all the things
outen the summer kitchen, whole lot
Of brass things from the stairway closet,
and no end of fxin's all over. can't
see" wrote the old gentleman, ''as any
close or silver has been took, and
guess the thieves must hev knowed Of
your bargains and come for them
special. I've heard that they set stores
by them in big places. I reckon at
ruff CESS we've lost about five burrows,
three sophies and six or seven parlor
stoves, to say nothing of chiny and brass
things"
To say that Aunt Susan was stunned
would be but family to express her
state Of mind but she determined
Johns happiness should not be dimmed
by her anxiety, and SO by great effort
she succeeded in overcoming her de-
spondency and assuming cheerful
face.
The wedding-day came and passed.
John and Mary were bound in the holy
bonds of wedlock, and had departed on
their bridal trip.
Aunt Susan fingered few days to
complete some purchases, then returned
to the even tenor of her quiet country
home, and waited with what patience
she could for Johns return. Uncle Phil
was waiting, too-silently, but no less
anxiously. In fact, little mystery
hung over the old house and hid shyly
away amidst the wrinkles of the kindly
old faces of its excellent owners. Uncle
Phil had some secret he did not tell
Aunt Susan, and Aunt Susan had some
secret she did not confde to Uncle Phil,
and stranger still, each was SO engaged
with his and her own as to be perfectly
oblivious of the others possession.
Only one person saw, understood, en-
ioyed and remained silent Uncle Phirs
sister, Martha.
The Summer heat slowly died out,
and Autumn was beginning to paint the
tree tops in the glories of red and gold
when John wrote that he was coming
with his wife to take up his home in the
little house. They were to remain at
Uncle Phil's till their home was ready.
OF course everything was on tip-toe.
Aunt Susan caused supply of pies and
cakes to be baked that would have VIC
tualed man-of-war while Uncle Phil
spent the entire day shaking out buf-
falo robes and polishing up the carriage
and wagon.
Train time came SO did John and
Mary. and the old people drove them
home in great pride under the scruti-
nizing gaze Of the entire village eye, SO
:
to speak.
Tea was soon ready. but not SO soon
but what Uncle Phil had time to di-
vulge his secret to John, for from the
wood-house came the low murmur Of
voices, with now and then . hearty peal
of laughter in Johns clear voice, min
gled with Uncle Phil's low guffaw.
Twice did Aunt Susan call out and
demand 10 know the joke, and twice
did she get her trouble for her pains,
for no hint was given.
After tea the whole party strolled
down to the new house. Now it was
Aunt Susan's turn. With proud step
she marched ahead and opened the
donf 0F tho hoy1ca a faint AraJ, -. -.