St. Landry democrat., 1886-01-16
pounded by the gray-haired minister
whose services had been secured for the

pounded by che gray-haired minister
whose services had been secured Tor the
occasion.
The kisses and congratulations over.
and the tears which would come IN spite
of her determination not to let them
dried upon the cheek of the bride, they
all sat down to meal at which there
was a brides cake, Of course, and cold
roast turkey, and great mealy potatoes,
and the most beautiful bread
There was fruit also; the first borne
bv the trees and vines planted, since
coming to the place, by the hands that
sought out and pluckei these, the oc-
casional first offerings found scattered
here and there among the foliage.
And afterwards there were kisses and
hand-shakes again, and foldings OF the
bride to the bosom Of father anu mother,
and tears in the eyes OF all, and fervent
God bless you's.'
And then Lucy was helped to seat
in the wagon, over which canvas
cover had been street ched and into which
| the little store of household goods
| which formed her dowry had been
hacked. Then her husband climbed up
by her side and amid wavings of hand
| kerchiefs and more 'God bless yOu's,
they drove down the lane and out upon
the road which led away over ths
mountain and the foothills towards the
new cottage which awaited their COM
ing at the Slough.
Oh, what happy, happy journey was
that for seven whole bright October
days; travelling by easy stages during
the day, and camping out, and sleeping
in the wagon at night!
| What beautiful bits of scenery they
pointed out to each other! How they
laughed over the little incidents of the
Journey or the camp, as the tipping over
| IF their coffee-kettle while getting their
evening meal in some quiet little grove,
after the days drive.
What memories of the longer journey
across the plains when they were chill
dren came back to them as they
watched the campfire smoldcring IN
the darkness and the twinkling of the
stars overhead; and what beautiful Sc
crets they disclosed to each other as
proofs of their mutual love and conll-
dence! And when, on the evening OF
the last days journey, they drove up
to the Johnson shanty, what hearty
greeting Mrs. and Mr.. johnson gave to
the Young bride who had come to make
Glad the home of her husband and to
be neighbor and friend among neigh
bors and friends!
And when, after hearty meal OF the
best that could be found in the house,
they went to take look at their own
home, walking hand in hand across the
fields, with what pride Erastus pointed
out the boundaries Of his own claim; to
the vineyard, and orchard, and fields,
made fruitful by the water that, coming
through the open bitches cut by his
own hands and those of his neighbors,
was fast turning the desert into gar
den.
And the cottage; how pleased Lucy
professed to be-really was-with its
appearance and conveniences! What
; pleasure they took in deciding just
where each piece of furniture should be
placed! They would have a carpet on
the larger down stairs room, and the
bureau and the best chairs should go II
} that; and the small table, with few
) books, should stand near the center o:
it. Lucy's guitar should hang on the
/ wall with Erastus' fiageolet and just a.
soon as they could they would get few
, pictures to help make the room still
more bright and tasty. Their bed the.
7 would put up STAIRS, and, until the.
/ could build larger, would eat in tn
? kitchen, or in pleasant weather, out
3 doors, and so keep the best room Away
cozy and nice.
: And so, still planning for the future
yet perfectly happy in the present, the,
g returned as they came, hand in hand
across lots to Mr.. Johnson's. wher'
: they were to spend the night.
F, On the morrow Mr. johnson helpe
p Erastus to unload the few heavy art
: Giles and place them in the cottage, am
then they went away, and together tn
9 young couple put down the carpet an
e arranged the furniture. returning t
+ Mrs. Johnson's to dinner, as that lad.
! insisted that they should do.
g Indeed, she would have had them re
main with herself and husband for
r week, until they got rested from thel
l. Journey" as she said, but to this the
J, could not think of consenting.
e They were both anxious to get int
II their own house, that they might to
Q getEer take up the work of maxim
e still more beautiful aud productive til
spot upon which they expected to Re
d main all their lives.
|. CHAPTER XIV.
10 THE THREATENING wHIRLwIND.