The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-09-28
JOE BARRETTS CONFESSION.

One seventeenth day of August, not
many years ago, party of four, con-
sisting Of Joe Barrett and his wife,
their most intimate friend Phil Somers,
and Miss Maud Mortimer, young
lady they hoped he might be induced
to consider the future happiness of
his existence, stood quite alone upon a
narrow strip Of sand on the Long
mctr polls. Joe Barrett and his wife
ha ! ng ago been given over by their
relatives and friends, and the genial
circle of society they adorned, as an
old-tashioned couple that prolonged
their honeymoon to a most unprece-
dentel and unheard-of period. They
had lately celebrated their silver we'd
ding. and for the amusement of others
an the romance for themselves would
hayn gone through with the original
Ger mony again had it not been Tor a
seri us obstacle. The clergyman was
still alive and vigorous for his years,
and Phil Somers, Joe's best man at his
wedding was yet his best friend but
he pale pretty little bridemaid had
vanished long ago off the face of the
earth, and become one of the shadowy
band to which 1--WE call, and they
answer not again"
There was rumor that if she had
lived she would have become the wife
Of Phi Somers, thus making the happi-
ness of the four complete. 1t was
Gu rently believed that because of this
tender and romantic episode in his life
Ph SOmers had remained bachelor.
In lis younger days this apparent halo
of oft regret and unappeasable long
Ing lent melancholy grace to his
already pleasing exterior, and many a
damsel endeavored to console him; but
although he was gentle and even chiv-
alric to all womankind. he RENAME d,
to all matrimonial intents and pur-
poses, unconso led.
And here he was, bachelor still,
fifty years Old, getting rather grizzled
about the temples and crowfooted
about the eyes, bronzed by his partial
ity for the open air, thin but muscular
tall but straight; while Joe Barrett
and his wife might both pass for fat,
fair and forty" though they were not
SO many years PhiPs Juniors.
-N.iu IItlC CllCI Ntlt, plOIIlIlS dS
liv : as ever for Pills connubial bliss.
Tie present victim of their tolls, al
thu III no longer in her first youth,
W I'd have seemed SO in any other
liz t but the critical one of sun against
s,n :: and now that thick bands OF
gray Clouds lay heavily across the sky,
tenn ering the brilliancy of the suns
rays, and the young lady had pulled
her veil about the outlines of her fa e
Miss Mortimer seemed at the heylay
of Ter charms.
While waiting for dinner, which was
in process Of preparation in long low
hosiery dozen furlongs or so inland
they had strolled down to the waters
edge, and, true to the plan in hand
Joe Barrett had pulled his wife,
chubby hand through his arm ant
trotted her away from Phil and the
young lady.
Lets leave them alone together fol
awhile" said Joe. 1T seems a propi
tious time for love-making, and hope
something will come of to-day's trip
Polly; I'm getting awfully tired o1
working like a pack-horse for Phil!
happiness"
While strolling along they INDUCED
in spirited conversation about Phi
and the matrimonial projects in which
they had been engaged on his account
AT last Joe remarked, looking fondl,
at his wife: I'D be the happiest fel
low in the world if Phil could be happ,
too"
His wife shook his arm impatiently
"See here, Joe," she said, Il tlinl
you are absurd about Phil Somers, ant
you may as well understand, once TO
all, that if this thing falls through, Tn
not going to bother about his marrying
at all. It's none of your business o
mine. l don't believe he wants t
marry, anyway. Some natures are s
constituted that they can only Low
once, and believe all the love PHI
had to give any one was squandere
)ng ago on our dear little bridemaiC
After all, there's something very swee
and touching in his remaining faithfu
to the one memory all these years"
joe shifted uneasily from one foe
to the other. He picked up a ston,
and sent it sayagely whirring over tn
water.
"Polly," he said, "I think I'll TAX
aplunge in the sea; it will tone n
up, and 6 We me an appetite for dir
ner. There's bathing suit in one {
he little cribs behind u.s."
"Look at that big cloud joe"
81 won't stay in long, Polly" II
gave his wife tender squeeze 'ooke
down upon her with an expires &c
that seemed to say he'd kiss her if
wouldn't shock Miss Mortimer's sen
of propriety, ran up to the bathin
house, and, to the surprise of Phil al
Miss Mortimer, presently disappear'
in huge green wave that coveri
them with its spray.
"Joe is regular water-dog,' sa
Phil.
Miss Mortimer made no reply. s.
had not come down to the seasho
that day to listen to laudations of j