The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1888-08-16

village could testify that 1t was Well
on the midnight when Miss Houston's
parlor lights were extinguished.
Not since the long-to-be-remembered
funeral of Deacon Dey and his wife,
who were asphyxiated one night by
coal gas, had there been so large an
at church, as on that Sum
day when Miss Houston's intended was
expected to exhibit himself to his fu-
ture townsmen. All the congregation
seemed looking anxiously out of the
back of their heads when, just as the
choir rose to sing the first hymn, the |
couple entered. A minute more and |
the universal gaze was centered on
Miss Houston's pew, where they took |
their places side by side, standing
through hymn and prayer as uncon-
cerned as statues.
In opening his sermon the preacher
asked the prayers of the people that he
might expound the text Alright; but it
is extremely doubtful if they followed
him enough to be in any case, either
harmed or benefited. The exceptions
were the two who listened attentively
in Miss Houston's pew. In one thing
they were alike; this was the perfect
unconsciousness with which they bore
their critical inspection. In all else
the contrast was striking-she, brilliant
and bordering on the robust, he. with
his classic head and boyish figure. At
the close of the service, before leaving
the church, Miss Houston introduced
Mr. Weld to the minister, the doctor
and the squire, with their wives, and
nodded pleasantly right and left in
pressing through the crowd outside the
door.
That was the last seen of the lovers
that day. The next, which was ideally
spring-like, they were reported out for
a walk, and seated on messy bank,
he basking in the sun while lying at
full length, his head resting on her
lap, she plucking forget-me-nots and
resetting them in the coils of his brown
hair. Unquestionably they were SUI
premely happy, and as foolish as young
persons in similar circumstances usually
are.
The same afternoon his visit ended,
the other party walking to the station
with him and seeing him off.
Soon the marriage was on the tapis,
and upon the word going abroad that
the ceremony would be in church, with
a general invitation-no pasteboard,
no white ribbon, no red tape at all
the people could have given three
cheers for Miss Houston, whom how
ever, Miss Newsmore and her clique
continued to maintain, was making
herself ridiculous in marrying ''that
boy"
Once more the church was crowded
to the utmost, or rather its capacity
had never been so extraordinarily
tested before. 1t was Monday; the
pair had chosen to start into married
life early in the week. Women regu-
larly orthodox, who would wash on
Monday if they knew the world was
coming to an end on Tuesday, got up
early; and those who had brought
themselves to put over the days task,
on coming into the open air and find
ing what magnificent weather it was
for drying, felt guilty. Farmers, like
their predecessors in the time of the
Revolution, cleft the ploughshare in
the mold" to come-not to a war, but
to wedding. All the highways and
byways were fully represented.
Just as the clock in the tower com
menced to strike the appointed hour
eleven, a side door opened and Miss
Newsmore wedged her way in, accom-
panied by Cousin Kate, from Fairbay
both in a flutter of excitement at arriv
ing so late. The latter had sent {
postal card to say she was coming tt
witness the marriage and make a visit
the train that brought her was delayed
and it was only after Miss Newsmor'
had waited at the station till she per
spired like one in Turkish bath that a
last she caught up her guest and rushet
to the church to find every seat taken
Resolved Notwithstanding on gratifying
> her eyes and ears, she skipped into sid
room and procuring gcamp-chairs, plant
ed herself and companion near the hea
of the broad aisle, in the van of tn
battle, for moment holding the atten
ton of smiling assembly.
L Then fell ON all the hush of expect
. ancv. a silence that could be felt. A
t afterwards described by an old farmer
: who had put off his blue frock and pu
a on a wedding garment-that is, hi
; Sunday suit, and at this supreme me
, ment sat watching the aisle, ''It was S
: still you could ha' heard a linchpi
drop"
!. A rustic at the door, and multitud
. held their breath while up the aisl
n came young Weld with slight an
S pretty girl in pink on his arm, followe
: by a stately, tinely-looking gentlema
= of forty-five and the bride. Good 6
y her position was, Miss Newsmore coul
p scarcely see or hear, for the disma
It that crept over her. 1t was tn
= c+,,pcor opd MiCc Houston in he