Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-25
PROVIDENTIAL PIGS.


pened"
Blank horror and dismay were depicted upon
the face of my small African. as she stood upon
my threshold with appraised hands and eyeballs
that seemed starting from their sockets. Her
pause was one of preparation, for with the in
nate consideration of her race she sought to
break the 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 Lyddy's we'd
din gown"
'GlOry." exclaimed (sile had been piously
christened Gloriana), GLORY, how did 1t hap
penn"
'Dunno." said Glory. ''Pears to me dem
pics has got Satan in 'em. Guess dey's Seconded
nom de ole lot what run down steep place
into the sea. I'll 90 an fetch ye piece"
she sped out and instantly returned with
tattered shred of India null that had once been
white, ana still bore some resemblance to
gown. Poor Miss Lyddy! This was all that
remained of her dream of wedding SplendOrs
1t was too pitiful! felt at once that the bonds
Of good neighborhoOd had been irretrievably
broken, and that Major Hawthorne must be
male aware of this last and worst depreciation
of his unseemly pirs.
But who would break the news to Miss
Lyddy3"
"Giory," said I, 'where is shc?"
Gone over to de buryin' place OBJ her an
ceStOrs," answered Glory.
Poor. faithful soul; even in those last DAYS of
her maidenhoOd, with the vague terrOrs Of mat
rimOny and the still more appalling responsible
Ties OF unsaved heather souls hanging over her,
she did not forget the ancestors. Long lines of
Ludkinses lay buried In little sunken hillecks
in the family burying place, which lay just in
sight of her stting-rOom window. She her
self was the last of her race and until within
three weeks 1t had seemed that the only tate
which awaited her was to live out her little
space under the ancestral roof-tree and then
take her in the silent ranks of those who had
gone before. But change had come. 1t came
IN the person OF Il returned missionary from the
McrOnesian Islands. who had buried the first
and second partners Of his joys and sorrows
somewhere under the palm trees Of those tropi-
cal lands and had come back to the scenes of
his youth to recruit his health, serve his cause
and look up partner No. 3. He met
Miss Lyddv at wOmans missionary meeting.
He called the next afternoon and was invited to
stay to tea. He accepted the invitation, and
next morning Miss Lyddy came into my room
tree. for consideration-and with much hest
tatiOn and many faint and delicate bushes,
Informed me that che had promised to share
the future lot OF the Rev. Nehemiah AppleblOOn,
to take care of his six children. and to support
him in his arduOus abors among the heather of
the McrOnesian Islands.
/ was struck dumb with amazement. "Miss
Lyddy." said at length, "haye you duly con-
sidered this project? ?"
Her thin figure quivered, and her white face,
that had yet delicate remembrance of youth
in it. grew tender In it, grew tender with feeling.
Yes" she said II think l have have
always had presentment that l should marry
minister or missionary.' Admirable and
prophetic faith! ''And Mr.. ApplebOOm says he
knew the moment he set eyes upon me that
was ordained to be his wife, so you see it is not
the surprise to either of us that it is likely to be
to our friends
knew that her mind was fully made up.
demurred no longer. but lent myself at once to
discussion of the wedding. which plainly saw
was what Miss Lyddy desired of me-
You will De married in church. 1 suppose?"
''Oh. no" said Miss Lyddy, with gentle deci-
sion. II am the last of the I.udkinses All the
Ludkinses have been married at home. will
go out from under my own rOOf-tree. II l must
seem to fOrsake the understandable paused to
regulate a little choking In her thrOat-"I will
at least not fOrsake their traditions / shall
leave little money with the parish clerk, that
he may see that the graves of my dead are kept
in proper order. as always have loved to keep
them. and hope they will forgive my depar-
ture; but will at least go as Ludkins should.
1t is my desire to be married in nv grand
mothers wedding gown"
Miss Lyddy's voice trembled, and there was a
humidity in her eyes, at which did not won
der tor it was much like funeral after all.
Il Thought. perhaps. went on Miss Lyddy,
eff brought the yenerated relic to YOU. YOU
done to tit it to me. don't care for the fash
ions. you know. and my grandmother. as re-
member her, was about my height. but still,
you w-sOmething-some changes might be
advisable"
Certainly" said, do bring it to me.
should SO like to see it,
1T is sprig ,ed India (she called 1t Iney)
null. My grandfather Capt. Simon Ludkins.
brought it home from over the seas. Ill bring
Like some pale and gentle ghost she rose
then and went to the bureau drawer and I'M
rolled from rolls of linen that smelt Of lavender,
the frail relic of Mrs. Capt. Simon Ludkins' we'd
ding state. twas fine, embroidered null, the un-
doubted product of Indian looms.
1T is lovely" said. land 80 well kept that
1t will be just the thing for You. Will you try it
on7 We can tell then just what it needs
Miss Lyddy proceeded to disrobe herself and
put on the spder-net gown. As she did 80 the
changes in fashions mandates became only too
evident. 1t had no waist to speak Of and Just
a little lace-trimmed puff for sleeves Miss
Lyddy was evidently surprised. She had not
thought Of this. knew well what the troubled
look upon her face meant, and l pitied her
maiden sensibilities. Could it be possible that
her grandmother. Mrs. Capt Simon Ludkins
had ever worn such gown as this? She said
not word that could indicate the depth Of her
Notwithstanding her face was a study for an
artist.
'There must be sleeves" she murmured after
few moments of silent and embarrassed con-
temptation.
Yes" 1 replied cheerfully as my con-
strained gravity would allow. "And you
might have achu and flOunce on the bot
tom"
She looked down. She had not before realized
that the skirt of the venerated relic lacked full
quarter of yard Of touching the floor.
However could they!" she calculated in an
undertOne. But she quickly recovered herself.
aud looked up to me cheerfully over her specta-
Giles.
"How ingenious you are!" she said. with an
air of sweet relief 81 knew you would help
me out"
We went out together and bought the requi-
site null that day. but when we came to put It
beside the generated relic" Of Mrs. CAPTAIN
Ludkins 1t was evident that time had 80 enriched
the color of the latter that the two were most
unfortunately unlike.
ave can lay 1t out on the grass" said:
''these June days are just the thing fort, and as
it will be evening, nobody will in the least no
tice."
Again Miss Lyddy smiled gratefully. and de-
clared that my suggestion should be carried out
In the most faithful manner.
n. The Rev Nehemiah saI Apgleboom."A lovely
and she blushed and smiled like SCHOOLGIRL In
her teens-had but short furlough, and the
marriage was to transDire the neYt weok ao