The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-11-30

take with equal satisfaction to his rlSi3ti-
tiles in either case.
Now, whenthe neyTs got arouudthath2
had engaged himself TO Miss Polly !" r
kins the gossips made all sortso rem tii<i
about the matter not at all compliment
tary to Mr.. Peter Potter.
.'Ill bet a watermelon TO q punAia
seed said Bill Jackson, the postnlastcs,
"that Peter Potter won't be on liant
when the time comes. OF course he row
thinks he loves Miss Perkins, but he's
likely to be smitten with Tie CHAINS of
Sallie Tweedlo next week, AID with those
of Susie Timkins the week after, and with
half a dozen others before Thanksgiving
Day. Poor Polly Perkins! She's too
nice a body to be trified with and made
the Jest and jeer of all the girls in this
town.
And this was the popular view taken OF
the situation, and some OF the sos,ips
were not dilatory in saying so much 20
Miss Perkins. Nevertheless, she had
faith in her a%ffianced, and received the
tattle of the busybodies withoutallowing
her good nature to become ruilled for a
moment.
"Why,' said she to ~ neighbor one day,
s'do YOU suppose I'm going to go crazy if
he don't keep his word? Oh, no. There's
Just as good fish in the sea as ever was
caught. YOU know" and then she laughed
most heartily and went tripping along
the roadside humming Il CHEEKY air.
OF course much OF this gossip reached
the ears of Mr.. Peter Potter, who, how
ever. went about his business as usual
and was not at all affected by the cold
ness which some ot the m~arriageable
girls of the Sewing Society manifested
when he met them en- the street o" at
church. AS for the gentlemen-those
fellows who had declared that his inten-
lions to Polly were nlerely one of his prac-
teal jokes-he said:
LET 'em have their fun. I'll show EN-
n joke yet that'H MAKE 'em laugh on the
other side of the mouth"
Well, it was now within a week of the
time set for the wedding. Invitations to
the ceremony had been sent out with the
request that the recipients be at Miss
Perkins Aunt Detsy's residence at 3
O'Clock of that day to witness the cere-
mony.
1t was c~onventioral gathering of vii
lage society that MES there that day.
Even the gossips who bad been most in
dustrious in criticising Mr.. Peter Potter
were there. The Rev. Philip Thompson
arrived a few moments before the ap-
pointed hour-he was to be the master of
ceremonies and when the old clock
struck 8 there was only one absentee.
Miss Polly Perkins, prettily attired in
white silk, white kids, a white tulle veil
aud orange blossoms, was standing by a
window in close conversation with AUNT
Betsy. Ten minutes passed, and then low
whisperings were heard from knots of
guests in the parlor.
81 told you so,' said Postmaster Jack
son. Peter Potter is still entitled tothe
nickname of Deter Ch&ngeabout. Now,
| renew my bet OF 3 watermelon TO "a
punkin seed that Peer won't be here.
He's most cruelty lifted Polly Perkins,
you bet"
These remarks were addressed oyoung
Lawyer Tom KerS, whose conversation
with a long haired, b@shy-whiskered and
heavily mustached gentleman had been
interrupted by them.
ITS too bad-too bad" returned the
lawyer, "but here, Mr.. Jackson, let me
Introduce 0 to my friend, Mr.. Max
Spieller."
The bushy-whiskeret. man and the Post
master shock hands and then the three
entered into n whispered conversation
about Peter Potter's non appearance,
He vos It goot fellow, um?" queried
Mr.. Sp!eller.
ooh, yes, Peters 8 good enough fell
low said Mr.. Jackson, "but you see lie
has always been 8 yery changeabie man
shifting from one idea to another about
as lively as Il Gea-and he has long been
considered the boss practical joker of this
town. reckon this is one Of his Jokes"
saying which the Postmaster looked over
toward the bride that was-to-have-been,
and then turning to Mr. Spiellerand Law
yer Kent he said, laying his hand upon
Afr. Spie-ier's shoulder:
1pity that girl"
lie vos Won practikeel shoEcr.u nm. mein-
er? Dot mustn't hgt matt i'm a terry
my fellow, ums'' s23l the man with
- bushy whiskere.
Yes you bet lie was; and"
Atthis instant the attention ofthcthrce
t..- diverted to 4 group Of young woHicl
yto i#tl surrounded Miss Perkins IL
3 minsl.ng expressions Of sympGtD:
d., her with their GvuUnciations Of her
deli. qacnt betrothed. Polly's face was
}urie,tin Aunt Detsy's lapandsh e seemed
u be weeping.
'Mishter Kent, viii you acquaintance
me- make nit doa meontsterz' said Mr..
Spieller.
Certainly. with pleasure" said the
lawyer, and the acqu aintance was made.
Mr.. Spieller took :,ie Rev. Mr.. TLonrp-
son'sa arm and led linn to q corner where
the two, for several mimi es, held Il wills
pered conversation. Then the guests
nearly an our had ~p;ssed-were prepar-
ing to take their leave.
Ladies and gentlemen said Lawyer
Kent, cas- the friend and legal adviser of
Mr.. Peter Potter, permit ne to request
you to stay a little longer. lie may have
been unavoidahly detained, You see."
At this moment Nj. Spieller whispered
something in Lawyer hrnt's ear, and the
lawyer then said something in Il low tone
to the dominic.
"Mishter Shackson, - sail Mr.. Spieller,
addressing the Postmaster, Il will take
dot pet about dot vatermaillon und dot
punkin seed"
but you'll lose, sure" said Mr.. Jack
son.
We'll, den Iloose-dot's ull," said Mr..
Spieller, ''und I pet you dot hess ! got in
dot tavern staple against Won tollar dot
Mishter Potter viii pc here-um?"
Well, IIl go you" said the Postaas-
ter.
"Yaw? und pefore desc yitnessess''
asked Mr.. Spieller.
"Sure," answered Mr.. Jackson.
There was at this moment a little furry
among the guests, during which Mr..
Spieller approached Polly and said:
"Miss Perkins, will Won shpeak init me