The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-03-10

ing Ned Williams and Katie, went
quite early to Uncle Johns Everybody
called him Uncle John, although he was
uncle only to Katie and had quite an
animated conversation with MIN, in
which he must have said "Well, do IL
by Jove," about three hundred times,
more or less.
AS the guests entered his immense
mansion. he whispered something in a
very mysterious way to them. Every
body nodded.
At last Katie came, accompanied by
her stately aunt.
"You are late" | whispered, as I
kissed her. "Almost every one is here"
Gam ! ?" she replied. "lshe here ?"
al haven. seen him yet, my DEAR"
returned. A fb-I wanted Katie to
look tor him herself. Excuse me for 4
moment; | must go and speak to the
Johnstons.
OFF ! went another piece Of byplay.
| hated the Johnstons. As was about
to go out Of the parlor heard voices
in the hall, and, stopping unconscious.
ly, listened.
"She'll never marry him." said one;
"she's too much of fiirt."
YOU'RE right" said another, "he's
fool to be so easily deceived.
"But she's promised" said third.
"That don't matter. Afiirt promises
wha, she knows she don't intend TO
perform.
"Have you heard the joke we're to
play on ,hem?"
"No, " said the three voices in unison.
"Well, LISTEN" said the speaker
He lowered his voice.
"I,'s all RICH, !" said to myself.
was suddenly startled by a terrific
beating on 4 gong, and jostled along
by the crowd to the dining-room.
Such a dinner Oh myl
And how everybody went into it!
That is-kow it went into them! Jack
Slemmer, the biggest hog in the village,
actually had whole turkey on MS
plate, and can't estimate how many
potatoes
And such merriment.
Really thought the whole table
would suddenly go up like powder
magazine
The moment, the dinner was finished,
Uncle John shouted:
"Of TO the parlor-to have dance"
and away everybody went, heller skel-
ter. To my great satisfaction, / saw
Katie hanging lovingly on Ned's arm.
"He's forgiven me, dear Julia |" said
Katie, as edged to them.
"And she's forgiven me !" said Ned.
"I.ike dear little creature as she is
Pressing her closer to him.
"Oh, don't, Ned !" said Katie.
"Of with you to the Dance" I said,
and momen; after lsaw them whirling
around in the crowd. "He hasn't got
her yet, murmured to myself. "She's
IN awful little witch, but she shall"
''She shall :" said Uncle John at my
elbow.
Games followed dancing.
In the mids, of the merriment, some
one cried, Lets play the marriage
game ?"
AYES, yes !" shouted every one.
\ young man jumped upon a chair
and exclaimed:
"Silencc in the court. l pronounce
the bans of marriage between Edward
Williams and Katharine Hauton, both
OF this town."
Every one laughed immoderately,
Ned and Katie with the rest.
That's right" said Uncle John,
"keep the fun up, boysl Keep il up
Join hands," he said to Katie and Ned.
Here, Squire Fathom, you play the
priest"
"Hai ha !" laughed Ned Go on,
sir; it shall not be said that Inter-
rupted the fun -
bravo bravo !" shouted everybody.
"Nor !, either !" exclaimed Kate,
boldly.
ISLAND upl stand up" cried the
laughing crowd, as they gathered round
the couple.
The lovers stood up.
"Join hands," he said, solemnly,
and the little palm Of Katie lay confid.
ingly in Ned's.
"Go on" cried the laughing girls
who stood beside her, as she seemed to
pause.
He drew himself up and went quietly
through the marriage service. Katie
listened with dreamy smile upon her
lips perhaps she was thinking of the
time when il should all be in earnest.
Suddenly she started, as the words fell
upon her ears:
al pronounce you man and wife,
And whom God hath joined together,
let no man put asunder."
married 2" exclaimed every one.
married 2" gasped Katie, turning
pale and looking appealingly at Ned.
He gave her a gleeful, triumphant
kiss.
"You were so slippery, Katie, ! had
to take you unawares. Now. will. you
forgive me, Mrs. Williamsi II
"No, l WON'T" said Katie.
eyes, you will, Katie" said Uncle
John. "Throw yourself in his arms
this instant. aforementioned I"
Katie turned, and, to the surprise Of
everybody, threw herself into her lovers
arms.
81 do love you, Ned" she whispered,
in his close embrace.
I'know you do" said Ned.
"Another dance I" shouted Uncle
John.
Katie has now house Of her own,
with several little cherubs TO test the
sound Of its walls. She grows prettier
and saucier, and a greater coquette every
day-but she fiirts only with her hus-
band, whom she loves dearer than life.
nGg-UThe press d miChtv and xr,ll