The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-09-27
PROvIOENTIAl Pics.

"Oh. missus, missus! Somefin's
done happened.
Blank horror and dismay were de.
pictcd upon the face Of my small
African, as she stood upon my threshold
with appraised hands and cyeballs that
seemed starting from their sockets.
Her pause was one OF preparation, for
with tho innate consideration of her
race she sought to break tho news
gently to me, but the burden of it was
too great for her, and with the next
breath she exclaimed:
Dem pigs done chawed up Miss
Lvddy's weddin' gown
GLORY" l exclaimed (she had been
piously christencd Gloliana), GLORY,
how did it happcn?'
"Dunno!' said Glory. Pears to me
dem pigs has got Satan in 'em. Cue IS
dey's 'scended from lie ole lot what run
down steep place into the sea. I'll go
an fetch We piece"
She sped out and instantly returned
with n tattered shred OF India null that
had once been white, and still bore
some Resemblance to a gown. Poor
Miss Lyddy! This was all that re-
NAMED of her dream of wedding
splendors. 1t was too pitiful! l felt
Mt once that the bonds Of good neigh
borhood had been irretrievablv broken,
and that Mai. Hawthorne must be
made aware of this last and worst dep
relation of his nnseemly pigs.
But who would break the news to
Miss Lyddy?
GLORY" said I; "where is she?'
"Gone over to do baryin' place oh
her ancestors, answered Glory.
Poor, faithful soul: even in those last
days of her maidenhood, with the
vague terrors Of matrimony and the
still more appalling responsibility oi
unsaved heathen souls hanging over
her, she did not forget the ancestors
Long lines of L,idkinses lay buried i'll
little sunken hillocks in the family bury
ing-place which lay just in sight of III,
sitting-room window. She herself va,
the last her race, and until within three
weeks it had seemed that the only fat,
which awaited her was to live out hel
little space under the ancestral roof.
tree, and then take her place in the silent
ranks of those who had gone before
But change had come. 1t came in
the person of returned missionary from
the Micronesian Islands, who had bur
led the first and second partners of his
joys and sorrows somewhere under tn,
palm trees of those tropical lands an,
had come back to the scenes of hi,
youth to recruit his health. serve lii
cause, and look up partner No. B. IL,
met Miss Lyddy at n woman's mission
airy meeting. He called the next after
noon and was invited to STAY to tea. Ill,
accepted the invitation, and next morn
ing Miss Lyddv came into my room
for /, too. domiciled under the LuI
kins roof-tree for n eonsideration-and
with much hesitation and many fain
and delicate bushes, informed me th:.
she had promised to share the futur
lot of the Rev. Nehemiah Appleb.oom
to take care of his six children, and t,
support him in his arduons labor
among the heather of the Micronesia
Islands.
Twas struck dumb with amazement
"Miss Lyddy," said at length, "hav
You duly considered this proiect?"
Her thin figure quivered, and he
white face, that had yet delicate re
membrance of youth in it, grew tcndc
with feeling.
Yes" she said; II think l have
have always had presentiment that
should marry minister or mission
ary." Admirable and prophetic faith
And Mr.. Applebloom says he kne'
the moment he set eyes upon me that
was ordained to be his wife; SO you Sc
it is not the surprise to either of u
that it is likely to be to our friends"
l knew that her mind was fully mad
up. l demurred no longer, hut le,
myself Mt once to discussion of til
wedding. which I plainly saw was wha
Miss Lyddy desired of me.
You will be married in church,
. suppose?"
: "Oh, no." said Miss Lyddy, wit
gentle decision. Il am the last of th
Ludkinses. All the Ludkinses hay
been married ut home. / will 60 OF
from under my own roof-tree. Ii
must seem to forsake the ancestors,
I she paused to regulate a little chokin
] in her throat, Il will at least not fo
sake their traditions. / shall leave
lltI1c uiOHeN Will luG i dIlsu ~leil
that he may see that the graves of III
dead are kept in proper order, rs a
ways have loved to keep them; but
shall at least go as Ludkins shoul,
1t is my desire to he married in III
grandmother wedding gown"
Miss Lyddy's voice trembled, an
there was humidity in her eyes,
y which / did not wonder, for it was niue
like funeral, after all.
Il thought, perhaps went on Mi
d Lyddy, If brought the venerated rel
TO you, you would tell me il anythir
We're necessary to be done to fit ii
me. don't care for the fashions, ye
ID know, and my grandmother, as l L
70 member her, was about my heigh
but still, you now-something-
es changes might be advisable,
900 Certainly" said, do bring it
me. should so like to see it"
ut is sprigged India (she called
Ingy) null. My grandfather CAP
Simon Ludkins, brought it home fro
over the seas. I'll bring it,"
q Like some pale and gentle ghost 81
rose then and went to the burei
drawer and unrolled from rolls
b.. linen that smelt of lavender, the fri
~ - relic Of Mrs. Capt, Simon Ludkii
" wedding STATE, 1t was fine embroider.
"a null. the nndoabted product Of indi'
looms.
"It's lovely" / said, "and SO well ke