Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1889-06-28


more for one look of M'rar'S than twenty
years of her society, and I'm afraid what
folks say about her having an unlikely
temper is true She's hared up once or
twice over the card playing. Still l hey a
proper friendly feeling fur her and respect
her highly fur her good qualities, fur She
has good ones certain; and she's smart too
smart as steel trap, Lucy is. and pritty
appearing too-genteel in fact fur a rough
farmer like me-"
But as the days went on he became more
and more inclined to take the advice which
had been given him. and one bright sunny
afternoon in November the first sunny day
that had blessed the world for long time.
he harnesSed Dolly into the top buggy and
donning his best black broadcloth suit,
which had been purchased for his wife's
funeral and was most impressive in its
shining and unwrinkled newneSs, drove
solemnly toward Brimport.
Cynthy looked after him with dilated
ed eyes and open mouth, for he had never
dressed himself so elaborately for his even
ing outings, and the neighbors, like the
historical Cortez and his men.
Looked at each other with a wild sur
mise, Silent,
save for sundry spasmodic CALCULATIONS on
the part of some, such as, Il told yon SOL
'Disgracefulr' "Dd you ever!"
Miss Lucy opened the door to him as usu
| al, and seeing him in this state, she also
seemed somewhat taken aback. Hirams
countenarce was deeply serious, but was
| deprived of its usual calm.
I'D like ter speak to you alone, if
it's convenient" he said, stammeringly.
"Oh, certainly" and she led the way in
to the dsused parlor, for the privacy of an
interview there none alive would dare to
| interrupt
"You see," he began, pulling at his
somewhat ragged fringe of whisker, Il
couldn't come over to play cards regular in
the winter time. II suppose l might
| come over now and then when the sleigh
ing was real good but 'twould be uncertain,
proper uncertain. and I've been a-thinking
'twould be master lonesome throughthe
long cold winter evenings"
''Oh, dreadful lonesome" sighed Miss
Lucy, wondering what he was driving at,
after all.
"And in the course of meditat tion," he
continued, ''it come acrost me that-that
perhaps you'd be willing to marry me, and
l could let my farm to M'riars-that is to
| say my wife's-oldest son John, and come
here to live, if-if 'twould be agreeable all
around There amt any other way, as |
see."
Miss Lucy blushed, and nervously pleat-
ed her black silk apron into folds for mo
ment without speaking.
''Well," she said at length, 'Tve got
kind of out the way of marrying, and so
set in my ways that I'm afraid | should
find husband the least bit trying How
ever, as it's you, Mr.. Leadbetter, why, I'll
think of it. and let you know in few days.
It's too soon, L
'I s'pose It's too soon. The regerlatiOn
time fur a widower to take another COM
panon seems to be year, but l don't
know as we're obligated to foller the fash
ion." And having quite recovered his
self-possession by this time, he explained
to her just how he felt on this point, be-
cause he knew Just how M'riar d feel: she
be glad, he was so lonesome.
Don't put yourself out mite, though,
he added; "but if it's goin' to be, it's got
to be right away, because, you see, I've
got good chance to let my farm now.
Johns ready to come this month, but if
put him off, he'll get another place before
spring"
'TWell," said Miss Lucy. ~ don't see as
there's any other way as you say; and how
folks will talk"
And before Hiam left the house the
time had bee set for the wedding-just two
weeks from that day-every detail had
been arranged, and Captain Bowers, who
was greatly delighted had invited them to
his house for a wedding supper.
Everything was ready when the happy
day arrived, and Hiram departed for his
new home at an early hour, carrying with
him such worldly goods as his betrothed
had expressed desire to have, namely,
one brass kettle, two new wash tubs for
which Maria herself had bargained with
tin peddler, also two tin milking pals and
an assortment of pans, several small farm
ing tools, and tied to the back Of the cart
his best Jersey COW.
Many curious eyes attended him as he
drove through the village, and every small
detail of the morning was repeated over
and over again to those who were not so
fortunate as to have seen it.
The wedding ceremony was performed
at the Slater homestead in the afternoon,
and all would have gone off well If Cousin
Louisa, when she was asked to sing some
thing appropriate to the occasion, had not
struck up "Thou art gone from my gaze,
accompanying herself on the ancient, heart
broken, and spider-legged piano. Hirm,
who was not generally superstitious, felt
that it was a bad omen, and the indignant
Miss Jane declared that it was just like
LOUSY for all the world, so nervous and
frustrated that she made bout everybody
bout crazy with her blunders. Cap
tain Bowers, who facetiously called
| it his wedding, was the life OF
the party, and the wedding supper
which he gave fingers still in the happy
memory of most of the participants. When
the relatives and near friends had all de-
parted. with the exception of Miss Jane,
the captain proposed, as wedding days
didn't come often in ones life, they should
be reckless for once, and play whist as long
as they liked, and it was after the solemn
midnight before the party broke up.
Hiram found plenty to occupy himself
in his new home, for everything had gone to
decay through neglect and want of means,
| and whatever he did he found his Lucy in
clined to manage the situation, and have her
own way at all cost. But his equanimity
was not easily disturbed, and though he
NAV have entertained some fears for his
future peace of mind, was not all prepared
for what happened one evening about six
| weeks after the wedding.
They were playing some very exciting
games of cards, Captain Bowers playing
with Mrs Leadbetter and Hiram with Miss
Jane, when Hiram detected his wife in
playing a trump which she had withheld
when trumps were called before.
| 1.uoldiv ho cria1. .1vou chpat Won cheat