The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-01-27
PAIR OF WEDDINGS.


spcctacles at pretty Nanny Campbell, who
sat at her feet on an old-fashioned "eriek-
ct the blaze of the open fire playing on
her bright. blushng face, and lending
richer shade Of gold to the crown of fluffy
hair that hid her white forehead.
Nanny had come up to Traverse to spend
Thanksgiving with her grand parents.
She came the day before, but her father
and mother could not leave till the next
morning DR.. Campbell was too busy a
practice, and Nanny was glad to come
alone, for she had great piece of news to
tell grandma. Yes, with deeper glow
than the freight on her dropping face,
she impaired the wonderful intelligence
that she was engaged to Jack Norton, and
was going TO be married on Christmas.
Now grandma was not really much surpris-
ed, for Jack Norton was the son of DR..
Campbell's oldest and best friend, and the
children had know each other always.
Grandma, with the foreeasting wisdom of
old ladies', had prophesied to herself this
result years ago, yet she thought she was
surprised to find her prophecy fulfilled.
Perhaps it never would have been had
Nanny and Jack lived next door to each
other always; but when they we're yet
children MIR. Norton had left Ridgefield
and gone to Boston to live. And Jack,
moreover, had been sent TO Germany for
his preparatory studies and to England
for his collegiate education, so he was as
good as a stranger when lie came home to
share his fathers business; and when
he saw pretty Nanny, who had blossomed
from a plain, angular little girl into
lovely young woman, he fell in love with
her after the good old fashion, and she re-
turned his passion it'll all the faith and
fervor of a girl's- first serious affection.
They had been engaged several months
but Nanny had not announced the fact
to any bnt her father and mother She
was botli shy and cautious, so she waited
to tell grandma until the wedding day was
set
Grandma was ready with congFatua-
tions, yet, as she drew the fair young
head down to her knee aud stroked the
bright hair with tremulons fingers, she
sighed, for she had lived too long not to
dread life for the child she loved so well.
I'm kinder pleased" she confded
to grandpa, in that ''srand committee of
two" which married peol lie hold on
matters that interest them or their neigh
bors, "and I'm kinder distressed too. |
don't like bis bein a lawyer; It never
seemed as though twas reliable business
nor one thet real honest, straight forrard
man could foller"
"Well," said grandpa thoughtfnlly,
you've got to take things by and large,
Elsiry--by and large. The's some lynn
in all business. You don't sell all the
big p'tatoes nor all the sound apples in
the g me barrel ef you're . farmer, nor
yo,, ion't tell man how old your critters
be-not to day. Do you spose Tatum
sells his dry goods an groceries on the
square always2 Don't We get poor drugs
for high prices down to Deans? An
Dome Ia fine it down, Parson Pitcher don't
write sermon every week, now | tell We.
rhere's suthin' bad TO every thing; faint
a heaven on earth down to Bosting, no
more'n lis here To Traverse
'Well, | don't know as it's" replied
grandma, with sigh; "but anyhow |
wish't she wasn't goin' to be married in
December
And while Nanny was busting round in
the kitchen the next morning, stirring cold
milk into the Indian pudding that to-day
had The great oven to itself, basting the
huge turkey in the rooster, garnishing the
tongues, keeping an eye on the chicken pie
that stood on a tripod in the chimney
corner to keep it hot after it had been
drawn from the aforesaid oven, and doing
for grandma all the little odds and ends
that are so much work for old people
and so little for young ones, grand
ma was revolving in her mind certain
good councils for the girl, which might
or might not be accepted and acted upon;
for grandma had old fashioned ideas.
She spoke at last, her fingers meanwhile
busy pairing potatoes for the pot that stood
bubbling to receive them.
$50 you're going to be married Christ
mas Day, be you, Nanny ?"
mo, dear-Christmas Eve"
Seems pretty cold time FOR weddin,"
said grandma, taking up another potato.
"Well yes. Jack would not wait till
June, when | wanted To have it; he said
he never believed in long engagements.
And mother thinks just so; that is, where
people have known each other as long as
Jack and have"
'sGoin' to be married in church, ! |
s'pose 9''
ooh, yes; and then a reception. Now |
you and grandpa must come down; | want
You to promise.
ssWe're Almost too old and rheumaticky, |
Nanny, to go junketin' round in midwin-
ter"
ono, you're noi--not a bit of it. The |
ears are warm, and mother III have fire |
in your room; and it's going to be such
pretty wedding! Six bridesmaids, granny, |
all of them pretty girls, too, in low dresses |