Wichita eagle., 1890-02-06


layin'-by time an Christmas" COM
planned an old crone with ragged
brood Of ten children dependent on her.
His wife's graphic recital of the girls
unhappiness touched the old farmer
deeply. He could frame no reply. Walk
ing restlessly across the puncheon floor
he shaded his eyes from the glare of the
afternoon sun and gazed westward,
where he deserted a couple advancing
along the road through the fields. 1t
was Martha and her lover-a slight, girl
ish form in a homespun gown, burly
young countryman with slouching
walk.
They came to the cabin together, both
silent. The girls features were regular
and pleasing, her face deep and serious;
size was about 1S years of age, the young
man 25.
won't you come in an restT So
asked, in restrained tone, with dubi
GUS and stolen glance at her parents.
He complied, manifestiy abashed, gave
tie occupants of the entry gawky bow
and mumbled 'Howdy," and took a
seat on an empty soda keg against the
wall, which, in his immediate vicinity,
was frescoed elaborately with strings of
red pepper pods hung up to dry.
The titillating dust and odor from this
vegetable made him long to sneeze. His
excessive tirnidity or bashfulness, how
ever, thwarted such an outbreak.
AS rule, young men in this region
when they go ''a-sparkin'" have little to
say. Berry Bradley, while different in
many respects from the average ''Sprout
Hollow" swain, was no exception to this
rule. If you had seen him, as he sat
there, you would have taken him for an
immutable mute. The pepper pods had
incited his eyes to tears, yet he did not
have the courage to alter his position,
but sat looking through the blur as pa
tlent as statue in fog.
Besides, no other seat invited occu-
pancy save dismantled candle box near
Mrs. Compton's churn. The discomforts
arising from the pepper pods were pref
cradle to nearer approach to his mo-
ther-in-law in prospect.
The good woman finished her work at
the churn, and, without glance at the
visitor, went moodily into one of the
rooms to arrange the table for the even
ing meal; whereupon Berry moved
slightly, got his feet and hands into a
less tense posture, and wiped his eyes on
his coat sleeve. The farmer picked up
his basket, and went out to feed his
horses; the visitor sneezed with kind
of bray, and left the pods.
''Td better be a-goin'." he remarked to
the girl standing near the steps.
Whats your hurry" she asked, with
a quick, troubled expression in her eyes.
''Do you think a man orter wait tell
ole Gabe blows his horn in his year fore
he takes hint? My rooms wuth more'n
my company in this shebang," he re-
piled angrily.
81 caynt hep it, Berry" she answer
ed, with a sigh. ''Tve done all l kin.
You oughtn't to blame me fur it"
.'Well, it makes no odds. I'll meet
you at meetin' tomorrow night, anil
fetch you home. No, I'm to blame fur't
all, but you'll see. You've said you'd
try me, an you shan't be sorry"
His tone was very serious, and he
walked away without another word.
1t is no small wonder that such a man
as Berry Bradley could have won the
maiden-the most eligible in every re-
spect in Sprout Hollow. Reckless and
improvident as this man was, void of
physical attractiveness or educational
advantages, he held the girl in his power
bv her heart cords, and through her he
held her parents.
Reluctantly the old people consented
to the marriage. Berry renewed his
promises to reform with doubled earnest
ness, and the wedding day drew to hand.
People for miles around gathered at
the Compton cabin that bright summer
afternoon. The cabin was not large
enough to accommodate the guests, SO
the space under the trees in front of the
house was utilized for their accommoda-
ton. Neighbors brought chairs and
stools; planks and rails were laid across
stones to make benches, and various
other articles of household furniture and
outdoor rubbish adapted to the purpose
were brought into use for seating the
crowd. Many of the men stood up; some
sat on the rail fence of the COW lot near
by.
Everything became SO still when the
parson stepped from among the crowd
into the entry that the drone of the bees
around the hives at the end of the cabin
could be heard. Berry led his bride from
one of the rooms, and they stood before
white muslin. A mass of glossy brown
hair fell in waves over her shoulders.
4 few smiles, such as touch faces at
fashionable weddings, even though void
of sincerity, would not have been out of
place, now that the girls step was ire
vocable: but the simple minds of the
spectators were unlearned in such subtle
arts, and the upturned countenances
mutely and firmly spoke disapprobation
of the match. and sympathy for the
parents, for the bridegroom's character
was we'll and unfavorably known by
them all.
AT the feet of the bride sat her parents,
their gray heads uncovered in the spray
of dancing sunshine which fell through
the tree branches. Truly pitiful was the
feeble semblance of approval which they
strove TO keep in their care worn faces.
The ceremony was over. The most
friendly of the neighbors shook hands
with the newly married pair; then the
throng melted away. Intense and en-