The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-12-28

mo, HE WAS POOR, PovERTY-sTaICKEN
GENTLEMAN"
her; so, as answer sufficient tohis long
and ardent epistle, she wrote four words
only and then signed her nime; and
these words said: II will be ready"
On the last day of the old rear jan
Cling of many-toned silver bells coming
from the snowy lane drew all eyes win
downward, and when the melolious noise
grew louder-when the smart livery
rig" came clashing harmoniOusly up to
the farmers pillared porch, there was a
commotion within doors, and scudding
upstairs of every one save Mercy Num-,
who, when loud knock sounded out
side, went to the door, opened it, and
admitted-her lover.
And in an hours time the bells went
iangling down the lane again-but now
old Nick was not alone. Miss Num- was
about to pass the Judges stand, and
leave the two blooming Misses Wheat
field two weeks and three days behind
her!
am certain that not even the glories
of home beyond the sun could have
dimmed the radiant present that now,
upon this mundane sphere, encircled the
meek little old maiden, as she felt, for
the first time in all the considerable
period of her life, so tenderly cared for,
so protected, so guarded during that
long ride home.
Every breath was frosty delight;
every sparkling ice-covered twig was q;
gem for her bridal day! When, at last,
the solemn rite was actually gone
through with, the minister had pocketed
his neat fee, the grocery was gained,
the stairs assembled, and the newness,
brightness and luxuriant furnishings
of her new home dawned upon the small
woman, she could bear it no longer; but
leaned bonneted little head against
the Widow Pimlott's ample shoulder
and wept for joy.
The first of January came with noise
and clatter and chime of bells-with
promise of joy and gladness so full and
great that all the little shadows hid
themselves from sight, and the golden
sun of Mercy's life rose with the glad
New Year.
After breakfast-after coffee, rich and
REORGANIZATION batter-cakes and honey
and omelette-as sort of literary
dessert postal card is handed across
the pretty round table to the bride be-
hind the coffee things. She reads it, and
looking straight into the eyes of her
lord and master, says:
Poor, dear old uncle! He never was
very strong, Nicholas, always fragile
and invalidish. When he could preach
no longer the church made up purse
and sent him to South America for his
health-besides, it was cheaper living
there, and you know to a very poor per-
son that is question of great moment"
Miss Nunn-Mrs. Newcomb-mercy
will you-won't YOU"
''Why, what is it, Nicholas?"
'Read-that- postal-aloud"
She obeys. Clearly, too clearly, the
words fall upon poor old Nick's ears:
"Died at Catamarca, South America on
on the 18th inst, of consumption, your
uncle Nebuchadnezzar Num-, the mis-
sionary." a
1t is over His dream is ended; tina.
golden glory fades from the horizon of
his hopes; the dead sea fruit of his am
billions lies scattered upon the barren
soil, and he needs not that the soft
voice goes on in explanation. The only
explanation that can affect him has been
made pitilessly plain to him; he does
,.NA 10 hoo II ~ IL
glorious death of martyr-he is dying
a thousand deaths as silently the castles
tumble about him where he stands, an
outraged, disappointed man, knee deep
in the heaps of their CHASTITY ashes!
What that New Years Day brought to
Nicholas Newcomb I simply have not
the power to tell. Busy until nearly
noon-time supplying the surrounding
neighborhood with forgotten odds and
ends for their New Years dinners, the
canned corn and tomatoes, the boxes of
starch, the tubs of hominy and beans
alone read the lines of anguish Time in
one short halliday had chiseled upon his
brow; but after that-while the turkey
! for his own dinner was taking upon it.
self beautiful brown and the potatoes
nesting close by grew mellow to their
very hearts in the oven of the brilliant
new range upstairs, old Nick fought
hard battle with himself.
1t was fearful and ugly army he had
to face; an army whereof Modification,
Bitterness, Disappointment, Grief, Hate,
! Perplexity, Misery, Rancor, Wrath, Dis