St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-09-07

The church of the Holy Three Kings
in Heidelberg was fair and fragrant
with branches of apple and cherry bios
SONS. Garlands of spring flowers
twined the chancel-rail and crept down
to the brides feet. One daring cluster
had fallen on the velvet cushion.
"Mafgery will kneel on crushed
flowers" whispered Il romantic Ameri-
can girl.
"A nice stain it will make on her
wedding dress" replied a German ma
tron. ''See, she has put it aside. The
beautiful fraulein has much sense"
Fraulein Margery, kneeling, had
taken up the cluster of daisies. They
were still in her hand when she came
down the aisle.
Margery Sherman was an orphan.
For six years she had been at school
in Heidelberg. The last few months
Uncle Jack had taken rooms in the
town, in an old house with Il balcony
looking toward the castle. On the
floor above lived Robert Brown, a
young American physician; and from
this arrangement had come about the
American wedding at the church of the
Holy Three Kings. The three bride
maids wore fancy wreaths about their
dainty straw hats, and baskets of pan
sizes hung from the belts of their cream
cOlored dresses. The church lay in IL
market-place, and the market swOmen
stood in groups about the door. Young
DIR. Brown, catching a glimpse of their
smiling faces, thought no sweeter
10
on her wedding day and Uncle Jack,
giving handful of silver to the nearest
woman said, in voice that broke Il
little =
'Spend it among you; You are all
Margery's friends"
The Royal London circus, on its an
nual tour, was advertised to perform
in Bristol. The manager had previous
ly sent to that city Timothy Twycrass
..world-renOwned clown and tumbler,"
to find and to hire half a dozen little
girls Timothy TwycrasS hated the
commission. Under the red and white
striped jacket beat IL tender heart.
This heart had often ached for the
neglected children, who for one even
ing were transformed from the rags of
their wrctched garrets into the glory
of tinscled fairies. The first perform
ance in Bristol was over the dressing
maid was washing from the children's
checks the only tint of rose which per
hapS had ever rested there. After this
Sukey would 20 with them in Il cab to
their respective homes. ''lsn't she II
pretty little dear p said the maid to
Timothy, wrapping Il shawl around the
youngest of the group. Timothy came
nearer. His hideOus costume and
painted face did not frighten the child,
and she stretched out her little arms
to touch his belt of bells.
"Merciful heavens - cried Timothy f.;
for there were bruises on the arm and
shoulder. The heart under the red and
white stripes beat angrily, and the
voice so used to uttcring inane nOthings
sounded strange as he asked an older
girl if this little child had Il mother.
"No," she answered. Her don't be
long to nobody. Missus treats her
dreadful, and then the master beats
missus: He's good to sis when he amt
drunk"
ISIS ?" and Sukey looked inquir-
ingly.
''lIer amt got no name. Missus al
ways calls her Sis. Master calls hel
Little I'm"
"You can take the others home
Sukey. shall carry this baby" And
wrapping his traveling-rug about the
waif, Timothy, forgetful of his attire,
strobe ont into the night. A crowd
fingered about the booths where the
two-headed woman held soiree and
| the Albino chileren winked their very
pretty pink eyes. Timothy made his
way through the people. 1t was but Il
few steps to the old tenement-hous,
from which the child had been brought
"Missus" had never seen Il clown
and when Timothy threw open tn,
door and cried, ado You call yourself
Il woman ~ she screamed Historically
''What have ! done? Let me 90 y
But perceiving the little girl, she real
ized that the strange appearance was
no avenging licnd and began to scold.
81 hate the child" she said. "Shc'.
naught. Her father was my brother
He's dead now. If you like her so wei
you had better keep her. Go along
with you both ~ The little cheek wa
laid close against Timothy's face 4;
faint, frightened voice said, 81 vii
he good" And the man knew as h,
drew his trembling burden closer tha
he had taken the child forever.
Timothy was dressed in his best ant
stood at the door of St. Paul rectory.
The world-renowned clown an,
tumbler never felt SO manly us wheT
he entered the minister's study ant
said: ''Iv'e Il child | want christened
I'm going to furrin parts next week
I'd like it done in England. | don
know much myself; but | want t.
bring her up right. I've mostly tum
bled up"
Then he told the chIld's story, un
consciously telling his own. Timoth
was awkward and i'll at ease, but til
few words he said came to the ministe
like a strong chord of music tenderl
sustaining the song of little child.
ITo-morrow will be Easter day
There will be baptism at st. Paul,
I Bring our little daughter at three"
Timothy bowed. He knew very littl
about Easter, excepting that in til
Easter holidays the audiences were al
; ways large.
,, "What are you going to call her
f asked Sukey, rs she dressed the chill
in white and put on the little shoes an
. stockings.
"Margery, for my mother" sal
: Timothy.