The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-11-24

ners and fattering words, Alviry fclt an In.
stantaneous antipathy for him, expressing
her dislike in language more forcible than
elegant to her mother in private interview
afterward.
"You nebber did hab no sense, Alviry Bos.
leyl You doesn't know a gemmen when
you secs him." her mother said, indig.
nantly. II spects yo' head am so full oh
dat onery nigger, Glen Shores, dat you is
plumb bin and deef to cherry body else
kin tell you right now, dough, gal, dat ei
dat are coon comes playin' de banjo and
singin' around here OBJ ebenin's like q
squinch-owl while Mr.. Jackson is here,
I'll get yo' pappy to run him off, sho' as my
name is Bette Bosley."
II don't keer if you is done took up will
dis fine darky; he dust puts me in de min
| oh ole slippery black. snake" Alviry re-
torted, spiritedly.
"See here, now, gal, isn't gwne to take
| none OBJ yo' sass sposhilly after de fine
! dress and hat dono buycd you to-day.
amt so sho' I'll let you hab dem nohow,
'thout'n you behave ye'self like lady, and
| fitten to wear dem."
This dreadful threat had the desired effect,
| for Alviry's whole soul had revelled in an
that fowered lawn, or looked in the ten by
twelve mirror, where she saw reflected her
own head with its little wisps of wool
braided up on white twine strings, and sur
mounted by the gorgeous hat bedecked with
| roses.
In her widest dreams she had never as
pired to such finery, and the bare thought
OF giving it up sent an incisive pang
through her heart, so she made no more
| critical or disparaging remarks about Mr..
Jackson.
Aunt Bette held consultation with her
husband out at the corn-crib little later.
II don't know what done got in dat fool
gals head, dat she's so sot agin sech a fine,
'ligious gemmen as Mr.. Jackson" she said,
anxiously. "One ting certain, has made
up my min she's got to marry him eff he
wants her, so you kin jest let dat Glen
Shores know dat his room am better dan his
company nex' time he comes aroun'. AM,
ole man, we's got to hab pullet fo' supper,
and some OBJ dem roas'en-years, and you'll
hab to git dem, case Alviry KANT, 'thoutn
spilin' her clo'es."
Accordingly Uncle Moses meekly obeyed
orders, not forgetting to send poor Glen
Shores off "wif flea in his yearn that
night, as Aunt Bette had instructed him.
the pension business fourished Mr.. Jack
sons glib tongue convincing nearly every
colored man he met that he was entitled to n
big pension, no effort on their part being re-
quired excepting to pay him for getting the
necessary papers made out and sent to Wash
ington. In this way quite an amount of
money, varying in sums from two to ten dol
lars, found its way into Mr.. r.Jaclsson's s pockets,
even Uncle Moses contributing two dollars.
Mr. Jackson, assured him, however, that
this would not have been necessary, as he
could have allowed IL to go on his board
bill, had henot forgotten to draw any money
from the bank while in Cairo.
Meanwhile he paid court to Alviry in the
most lover-like fashion, and though the
girl cordially hated him in her heart, fear
of losing her finery and dread of the uu-
merciful cowhding she was sure to get
from her nanny If she betrayed this feel
ing, made her at least passive in her attitude
toward her suitor.
When, therefore, he asked her TO marry
him one evening, she dared not refuse,
though she cried all night afterward, think
ing of Glen Shores, whom she could not
forget. in spite of the riches Mr.. jackson
assured her were awaiting her as his wife.
Aunt Bette fairly overfowed with pride
and qualification as the prospective mother
in-law of the wealthy pension agent and
preparations were at once begun for the
wedding.
The lawn dress was fitted and made, invi-
tations were sent out all over the neighbor-
hood, chickens were killed, and big spot
pie'' made; sheep was barbecued, and
young pig roasted, and its mouth decorated
with big red apple. The soap-kettle was
cleaned out, and filled with roastng-ears to
be boiled for the occasion, and mashed pota-
toes completed the more substantial part of
the feast. Then there were apple pies and
'watermillons," the crowning delicacy be-
ing big "sweet-cake," such as "ole mis-
used to have made down Souf when she Civ
a gram party"
A long table, improvised of boards placed
upon empty barrels was stretched out in the
yard and on this the sumptuous repast was
laid. When all was in readiness the guests
assembled under the big beech tree by the
door, and the interesting pair stood on the
porch in full view of the crowd, ready to be
made one.
Alviry's eyes were red from crying. but
she gave no other sign of discomfort, while
Mr.. jackson was that contradictory thing, a
sunbeam in black.
Rev. Kicks Bradley was to perform the
marriage ceremony, but just as he stepped
up in front of the waiting couple a gentle
man rode up to the gate, and dismounting,
walked rapidly toward the porch. Mr..
Jackson glanced at him, gave gasp of ter
ror and, with his face suddenly grown
ashy in hue ''staid not upon the order of
his going" but snatching up his hat, fled
through the cabin out into the corn field,
where he was lost sight of in a monfent
"Halloa! what's that rascaly darky doing
away out here?' inquired the gentleman,
dimly comprehending the situation.
Mutual explanations followed, in which it
came to light that the gentleman was from
that he had come to Beech Ridge
to buy several carloads of watermelons, and
that Mr.. jackson, the pension agent, was
fraud, sneak-thief, and gambler, who
had escaped from jail there month or two
before, and that he had wife and two or
three children.
Aunt Bette put her apron to her eyes and
began to cry. "De good-for-nuffin houn'
Here rs been persecutin' my po' chile on
his account. an now he's done lit out and
killed that would "a been layin' in de fall
and de aigs done ct up dat was 'tendin' to
buy aprons wifi befo' dat black rascal come
And whar's dat penshum- money, I'd like
ter know, and de two dollars de ole man
loaned him, and de boa'd- money we was
gwine TO gitl" Here Aunt Bette sobbed |
Historically, then suddenly burst out again
Sand here's de wedding garments made, |
and de parson here, and de supper am ready; |
but whar am de bridegrOom. Well have to