Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1884-04-17


tionary, and who came to Mrs Haz.
ards tea parties with some Of it in his
pocket; but she didn't She could
have thanked Heaven for the fresh
young springtime that seemed to have
come into her life with this lover, who
had no more years to remember than
she had herself, and who had never
known a sorrow, or taken one to heart
if he had, which is much the same
thing. And perhaps we have told
enough in telling that he loved her and
that she returned his love.
Where Mrs. Hazards eyes were. or
her ears, or her brain, that she did
see what was going on, it is impossible
to guess. That she did not seemed
certain, when, one morning, entering
the parlor suddenly, she found Fred.
with his arm about Sybil's waist, in
the very act of popping the question.
Mrs. Hazard stood still, glared upon
the two ferociously and inquired with
sarcastic politcncss:
MAY ask what this means?'
at mean" said Fred, "that have
just asked Miss Stanton to be my
wife"
"And what has she said?" asked
Mrs. Hazard.
what could | say, when | liked
Fred so much?" asked Sybil.
Mrs. Hazard sat down in chair.
"I suppose was nobody" she said.
"Oh, no" cried Fred; 1--WE meant
to tell you"
"Thank YOU" said Mrs. Hazard,
more sarcastically than before.
"Thank you very much. what if |
say won't have it, eh?"
Fred.'s eyes flashed.
81 am of age he said.
Your bread and butter depend on
my word" said the old lady, II am
rich, as you know. | mean to leave
you well of, Fred, if you obey me;
and, Sybil Stanton, your place is worth
something to you, and | should not
forget you in my will. So, have done
with this nonsense. Marry, indeed; Il
pretty pair you'd make. There's Miss
Roberts, Fred, quite Il little hcireSS;
and as for you, Sybil, why Professor
Sturgcon-such dictionary as he is
writing, clever man, you ought to be
proud of it's really serious in his at
tsntions. I've said enough, hope
II! forgive all this nonsense, if it stops
here; but don't make me angry, or
I'll leave you II beggar, Fred" and
Mrs Hazard marched out of the room,
bcckoning Sybil to follow her. But
Sybil fingered
Fred. with his cheeks flushed. and
his eyes glowing, flew to her side.
"Darling,' he said, "promisc me
that you will not let her part us
"You must not give up so much for
me, Fred" said Sybil. "Remcmbcr
she is rich; shc-h
"a fig for her money!" cried Fred
II have hands and eyes and health
I'll make my own fortune. I'd
rather have you than all the wealth Of
the universe If you'll share the life Of
a fellow who haint much to offer you,
Just yet, but his whole heart
And Sybil gave him her hand and
her lips, and the compact was sealed
ana they parted,
Two days after this u note came to
Sybil, through the hands Of Barbara
Druler, the houscmaid, and through
the same instrumentality an answer
was returned. That afternoon Sybil
took II walk. 1t was Il long one, lead
ing into the heart of the city. There,
at Il corner, Fred. met her and offered
his arm. Sybil wore her best dress;
Fred. also was attired with taste. They
took their way to little parsonage,
which stood in the shelter of Il very
huge church, and Fred. rang the bell,
They were ushercd intoa Il parlor. There,
as they waited, each drew off an outer
pair of gloves, and revealed white ones
beneath the deceitful covering There
was something on foot, plainly. The
servant guessed what it was, and an
nounced to her master that THAT
young couple had come And down
stairs walked the clergyman and his
wife, with the benignant mixture of
smiles and gravity which seemed fit
ting for the occasion; for, as we may
suppose, Sybil and Fred. had entered
the parsonage for the purpose of being
made one for life.
A few polite words--a blush ON the
part of the bride-a little nervousness
on that of the Bridegroom soft, cX-
pectant nuttering of the clergyman
wife's black silk, and they were all
standing, ready fol- the marriage ser.
vice, when the doorbell rang furiously,
and, as it was opened, a voice they
well knew, cried:
mot at home -iiddlesticks. Keep
me out if you dare! | will go in, and
} in walked, Or bolted, Mrs. Hazard,
very red in the face, and very much
. excited-Bridget behind her, crying in
} anxious explanations:
"She would come in. Murther,
: couldn't kape her from yez."
"Ah! I'm in time, see" cried Mrs
Hazard. You're moi married yet
: You thought to deceive me, eh? Come
, Fred, I'll give you one chance fol
you are poor Letty's child; give up this
, folly and come home with me, and III
| leave you everything"
You're my aunt, madam" cried
Fred, "and an old woman, so I'll try
to be cool; but, by George, | won.
der what you take me for! IL
sir, if you please go on with the cerc'
mony."
"Stop a minute said Mrs. Hazard.
: "Sybil, my dear, I've been very good
to you. Come home with me; you
shall have all leave. | cut him off.
, l."
: "Mrs. Hazard" said Sybil, 'you
, have been kind, and | grieve to offend
, you, but all the world could not bride
me to leave Fred. now"
, Hell be beggar," said the old
woman.
"Then I'll help him beg" said Sybil.
"Why, don't you know-you were
once wife yourself-that there are
, things more precious than gold OF
silverp"
And then Mrs. Hazard coming close
, to Sybil caught her in her arms.
"Why, yes, do" she said. Didn't
: you know that before, childp Have
/ you been so completely taken in? I've
been trying you both, children-trying
, your love for each other, and your hon.
esty and truth to me. If for the
, sake of my money, you had broken
faith with each other, not penny
; eh nplJ a;thar nf pau avay baya ba 1