Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-05-04
sTAUNTON, VIRGINIA, FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1883.

please T" 'ell you the truth, indoors,
as seen through the windows. had not the
most inviting look; and was glad to COM
promise.
''You have no donbt heard"-plungingI
iii medias res. THAT Miss Lydia Lud-
kins ID about to be married."
Married Mis-. Lydia Mol Hadn't
heard word of it," said the msj,r, in
genuine amazement. "Who is the for
tumAte man, pray 2"
1.-The Rev. Nehemiah Applebloom. a
missionary to the Micr0nesian Islands,
who has come to recruit his health and
and fnd wife,
Il know him." said the majar. "Saw
him down at the statlon-a long, lean,
lank individual just fit for his vocation
no temptation whatever to .cannibalsl
But what the duece is he going to do with
/ Miss Lydia What will Balaam's Cor
ners do without her p
"BAlaams Corners must do the best it
cam" said--I fear little sharply-for
my mind was still in the most aggressive
state toward the major.
They are to be married next week
and"
"What will become of the 'ancestors?'"
interrupted the major, IN whom surprise
gee. Aed to have gotten the better of habi-
tual politeness.
! ooh, she mad arrangements with Mr..
Crow about that
1 "Just like her, dear faithful girl"
The major had all his life loved all the
spx-not one-and was not to he beguiled
by this show of feeling.
''She had set her heart upon being mar
ried in her grandmother's wedding gown"
"Old Mrs. Simon? remember her
well. A mighty fine woman. She never
would have gone to the ends of the earth
with missionary. It's the craziest
scheme ever heard off,
Ibegan to fear should never get to my
errand.
"It was put out on the grass to bleach,
being a little yellow with age. It was
lovely embroidered India muslin that the
old captain had brought home from India
himself''
"How we'll remember him in my boy
hood! A jolly old soul! A grand-dangh-
ter of his tn go of to the Canniba Islands
to be eaten up by the savages! 1 won't
have it 70
"Her heart is set upon going" con-
tinned. 1.-THE wedding gown was put out
to bleach, and this very afternoon those
Berkshire pigs # yours they are nuis-
ance to the whole neiehborhood Major
it is utterly ruined.'
"Little black rascals," said the major,
with chuckl- behind his nj ckcloth.
"And have come without her kuowI-
edge. to tell you of it. hecadse was sure
that under the circumstances gentleman
| to make some PREPARATION to Miss LYDIA"
The major unused and looked at his boot
for NJ ment in silence.
"Miss Grace" he said at lenth, II thank
You for the service you have rendertd me
in this matter. Will you hive the kindness
10 Sly to Miss Ludkin wi my compli-
ments, that shall do myself tie honor to
wait upon Der tomorrow at 10 o'clock, to
adjust this unfortunate NATTER beg in
the meantime that she will give herself as
little solieitude as possible, for though I
cannot restore the ancient and venerable
dry goods, will do the best that is posi-
bic under the circumstances to make the
loss good"
He bowed over my hanp, and the audi
snce was evidef tly concluded. Was sat
isfed? No. indeed! What woman would
not have felt wroneed to be left at the
end of mission of disinterested benevo-
lence in such state of doubt and uncer
tainty as this? But was obliged to go
home. nevert heless, and wait patiently as
1 could for the stroke of 10 next morning.
Glory had been in hearing when the
message had been delivered to Miss Lyddy
and she too, was on tire watch. At last
she scIdded in from the hedge, her worries
all asllsten, and her eyes wide open and
full of rather incumprehensible mirth.
"He's COMM she said; land such a
sight!"
At that minute the gate clicked, and up
the walk strobe, indeed, a most astonish-
ing fie ure. The major had gotten himself
I'D in continental suit, which he must
have tished out of tire unknown depths of
the ancient attics of Hawthornedean:
black velvet coat with lace ruff1es at the
wrist, knee breeches, white satin waist
cat. slippers with shoe buckles, powder
] So nLcd hot q no
tall. portIy and well-formeG. and he looked
every inch signer of the Declaration at the
very least. He was followed by his color
ed man, who carried large brown pap r
parcel.
lilies come courtin' mi ssus," said
Glory; s'ye can see it in his face"
had not the instruct of Glory. and
doubted; hut what his elrand was was
dying to know.
But he disappeared into Miss Lydia's
parlor, and was left outside to temper
my Impotence as best could. Presently
Glory entered on tiptoe.
"Missus, mssus. j." she whispered; ''de
dos swung open Jes de leas crack. an it's
jess opposite de big murror, IN if We come
ont here in de hall ye can see it all in de
| big mirror, as plain as day: an it's heap
better'n play"
1t was temptation. but believe me.
dear readers, 1 resisted it. Only as Glory
ran hack to her peeping, followed to
pull her awav and sent her out of doors
that was simply my duty-and there he
was full on his knees before her, and she
with that wrapt, seraphic look upon her
face which no woman wears except on the
most vitallv interesting occasions. But,
Glory disposed OF went back to my sew