The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-10-09

Let us talk about our life not lives.
Have / attended to all the details?
Have | prepared the little home?
Why ask me? Why think of s,.oh
things. They are earthly. Yet YES,
they are belongings. They are a part
of the whole, although so material.
But YOU were not with me when the
final touches were given? Did we not
drape a little here? Did we not change
a chair upon one side and transpose il
picture or two upon the other? Did
we not take one long. glad survey of
all ere we left. feeling that when we
again crossed that threshold it would
be to enter our common home?
Oh. what thoughts this word home
brings to me!
A home l have not known, save at
your side; a home l will not know. save
with you ever as its queen. Home is
your presence. wheresoever that may
be. Lead me to the barren saEds of
the sun-stricken south; call me 20 the
algid peaks of the distant north; speak
to me when journeying on the bound
less waste of the mighty deep, and !
will follow OF, for l shall only be go
ing. going home"
Tomorrow has comet is counted
as to-day-we call it now.
'Tis that day which has been set fol-
the ''consummation of our bliss"-as
hey call it.
Ah!-maybe.
But can supreme Joy be added untop
Have not our hearts beat as one? Can
more come from repeated VOW? Are
we to look for greater love, a love we
have not known?
1t cannot be. Love cannot exceed
itself.
But bark! The wedding strains bid
me Come"
Come" to what?
Come" to the beginning? No.
Come" to the end9 Never for there
Is no end. Such affection has no limit
it knows no termination.
Come" then to its holy plighting.
All! well. Its holy plighting. Yes.
arise and critically scan myself in
the large mirror. l give my tie just a
little touch. l smooth out an imagin-
ary wrinkle in my sleeve. remove a
little speck of dust which had some
how found resting place on my other
wise immaculate bosom. Then do
feel readyp Yes. l was ready before;
yet. strangely, there seemed to be an
invisible hand which tried to restrain
me-which strove to draw me back.
Some batfled spirit sought to deter me.
Is not this a frequent experience
among those who thus approach the
altar?
The impression, not of dread. but of
something you cannot fathom, describe,
or name, fastens itself upon you-al
most commands you not to advance.
This is cast off, however, and you
start forward upon the greatest volun-
tary event of your life.
SO it was with me and left my dress
ing-room, passed to her side, and
stepped nervously beneath the canopy
of flowers where lasting unity of
hearts was to be pledged.
A few words and her little pearly
hand rested calmly and confidingly in
mine; the magical ring was adjusted
which helped to bind the sacred com.
pact; then few more seconds and a
volume of congratulatory epithets were
showered upon us.
Afterward the rustling of fabrics a
quick slam to the carriage-door, and
we were whirling over the even road
way to our home.
There everything is in readiness
not one essential has been overlooked.
passed to my room-a comfort my
wife promised to allow me-where /
found house-jacket and slippers await
ing me. A handful of neW-plucked
roses lay upon my table. while the
latest issue of metropolitan daily re-
posed against a smoking-jar, which
was well filled with my favorite brand
of cigars.
glanced about me with deep salts
faction, and gave brief scope to thoughts
of the many joyful, peaceful hours /
should pass in this cozy little retreat,
for had thought that should some
times like to return again to bachelor
days for an hour or two, just to benefit
by the comparison, by giving myself
to this one room. l soon retired from
these quarters, and, upon descending
the broad stairs, was met by the sweet
expressions:
''Oh, Hervey! it does not seem that
sadness can ever come to us! How
pretty everything is!'
We grasp each others hands and
pass from room to room, bearing the
proud persuasion that all is ours to en-
joy. and that all speaks of enjoyment
unailoyed.
The quaint little library, with books
neatly arranged. and with tempered
glimmer of fsunlight streaming through
the vine clad window; the dining-rocm,
not large yet affording space for the
number we expect often to have at our
board; the large hall, where comfort is
plainly suggested on every hand; while
snug hooks and corners are met as we
glide on. stopping here with an express
sion. and there with Il look of JOY.
We were just passing for, mayhaps.
the twentieth time the great paneled
door leading to the porch without, when
violent, startling knocking came to
our ears.
Sweet Madeline convulsively grasped
my arm. as if fearing some strange or
OminouS intrusion.
Again came the fierce pounding upon
the outer door.
Somehow | could not move. Every
muscle was fixed in position of rigidi-
ty. struggled inwardly for a power
to advance. tried to cry out against
the cords which bound me helpless.
My wife still firmly clasped my arm
and much alarm was indicated by her
features.
Again and like great volumes of
thunder came the stokes upon the door,
and as the last echoes resounded
throughout the house and died away in
the far-off corners l gave forth one
mighty, superhuman effort against the
restraining monster, and shrieked in
tones of terror:
Come in"
/ then felt cold draft of air upon
my moistened brow and heard gruff
voice eXclaim:
Please call at 110l Mansford street
at once A lady is dyinpn