Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-11-14

to greet the lirht ar5 sl,:ne for:h ir a;! its rcfulgcnt f;,lenaor
 At this important crisis tiia (. Ip; V, which was large one. aas arr .sad .u groups about the rooms. Sha Bodkins family holding the Ele-.., Df ,.Jnss ,iisf the lool1i,g-glass in thc front pasio;, much after the fashion Of funerals.
 Mrs. B.s tsil-.aie eyes and | ,gst: ways denc ted delighted c%t.ecfaT~ !. Bodkins, on the contrary, was cain aIid unrufiled, wish half-boru smile on his lips. A knowing smile, in fact, as if he felt himself to te wiser than his guests. Margery, pretty Margcry, was happy in the company of Peter. who paid her as much attention as if she had been a highborn lady. Had he not looked low ingly into her eyes? Had he not pressed her hand gently in the dance, and sighed when sine bestowed a look upon another?
 Aunt Bodkins rapped three times upon the table with her cane to enforce silence, and, presto! change! tho white wrappers fell to the floor with a rustic.
 Every eye was fixed upon the tahla; each guest anxious to sec what the other had brought: and said eyes were greeted with dazzling stream of sill very brightness.
 "John," whispered Mrs. Bodlzins, as she, pale as a sheet, held on to his arm with grip; "thcy've all brought castcrs.'
 ''Yes, Nancy, and p!atad ones at that" his smile bursting int to an audible laugh.
 "How do you know, John?' said Mrs. B., between her tightly closed teeth. Because they all came from our place. and better finished article never went out of shop door,"
 Yes, thocc they stood in row, thirty seven Gas DTS: seven ladies and twenty fvo sal ts')oons, with two sets of real silver spoons ana Q daintly -carvod silver jewel box. the gift of Peter 1 Surpciso and modification reigncd su- i prcme among the assembled guests. ! Talk of coiEcidences," unused they; ''did ever any thing beat this?'' They were thinking where to hide 1 thnir diminished heads, when MT. Peter Downing rose to address the assembly! | My doar host and hostess, and fellow. citizens in general--I can truly say th;S is the happiest evening of my lie. Not only am here to confer an honor on T h norablo and trustworthy man (Nlr. l B0lliins), but to humbly ask favor of l hlrr, the answer to which will affect my wholo life for joy or sorrow. Tomorrow my aged father retires from business aNd am to take his place, and, at h;s r"4ncat, install our worthy host, Mir. E"ikins, in my place as partner! And I a:i glad to see, pointing to the table, '',,'"f my future partner has some stock cf his own to begin business with.
 ".[ow, to be serious, would huubfJ o,;!5 you, Mr. and Mrs. Bodkins, for the n!n'l of your charming daughter, Mar 1 c'ry. have loved her for many years, a:li h4vo reason to think my love is re- cipro1aacd I await the verdictr
 ".A!Es WHll that ends wcll!'' i iAc surprised and grateful Bodkins ont; "cl on his new duties humbly, but wi Ii dignity.
 Mrs. Bodliins :9:.sot her disappoint- ment in the thought that she was the wife of a man in business for himself, ..;ll Eothor-in-law In prospect to an Q her, ;.nd that ono the owner of half tho al C3tato ir tho village.
 "a gory was happy because she was abJr@ to r'arry the rl:a1 she loved with alt !,.r E,-;y:f. at C:'-i..srlas, and as those Caris 1.; l. ns have long ago stopped ii! ;i:1 |, w2 .;.nw tAo brllo is sheltered a,,d | prT. -.!vi. N. A. Kidder, in N. Y. ! Y .CnIv.