Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-12-27
The sMueeLER,s WEDDING.

Down among the cliffs Of Devon-those
mighty ones which guard the southern
English coast eastward from Sidmouth,
and not far from the quaint, rock bound
village of Vere-Isabel Venn, the come
", brown haired tisherman's daughter,
reigned over the sturdy hearts of the
sen, subjugating alike the brnwny fisher
lad who swept the channel through the
starlight nights of winter and the man.
o'-wars man home on leave, while half the
coast guards lapsed into chronic jealousy,
and II few wild spirits. the special care of
the coast guards, who traded secretly with
Cherbourg, were among her most ardent
admirers.
1t was on Robert Dare, young, hand
some, fearless and the most accomplished
smuggler of the coast, that Isabel's choice
fell. Devonshire smuggling over fifty
years ago was n daring, almost chivalrous,
enterprise, and from this and other causes
it was tolerated by the people. Many n
magistrate has traced his cellars pride to
n We're fishing boat, and a lord bishop has
sent from afar for the pale French essence
ere it had blushed itself brown in bond. Nor
were mysterious sources wanting to sup
ply the means. When Robert Dare needed
funds for voyage he used to say that he
was "going mp the Landslide a little" and
that night he would come back with the
needful. The third week in December,
1888, opened cold, clustering time.
Wreaths of fine snow wound round the
doorsteps and hung over the small diamond
pancd windows of We're. Times were harl;
the coast guards vigilant. Prudence must
defer the marriage of Robert and Isabel,
which was to have come Off ut Christmas.
The cronies Of the Ship Inn deplored the
prospect for the poor and shook their heads
in sympathy rs mild expiation for their
comforting RUNNERS" of grog.
Good evening, DOCTOR" squeaked old
Solomon Quigley, the parish clerk, Us
genial DR.. Bowlby came beaming in. For
DIR. Bowlby came from Bovey manor, where
Lady Lee had commissioned him to buy a
hundred and fifty geese for the Christmas
dinner Of the needy. But Exeter and Honi-
ton had absorbed the supply, so said the
farmers present Then up spoke Robert
Dare:
Geese are plentiful and cheap in France.
l will get them by payment for my time"
Dr.. Bowlby assentel, the company ap-
plauded, and the gri2zled coast guard cap
tain stared over his long clay pipe at
Robert in u look of dazed solicitude.
Good night, my darling Belle" said
tkODcru, hlSSluS utr ~ ucr ittucT COJItSt,
"and may good luck attend me. / mus
go up the Landslide little tonight"
The Scagull sailed out of the cove OF
We're, and in due time sailed back again,
harbinger of good cheer for the poor.
~ welcome cargo" said DIR. Bowlby.
Take care of them tonight, Robert"
Yes, good selection" muttered the
grizzlcd captain, pecring into the recesses
of the bont, very good. There is abso-
lutely nothing but the geese" he whis-
pcred tlcjectedly to himself; then louder to
his ncighbOr:
Il say, Mr.. Quigley, there is really moth
ing but the geese, you know"
Nothing" piped Solomon, "unless there
may be any ganders among 'eIl."
'Bah!' said the captain. And now the
Ship Inn is bower of evergreens, for to-
morrow is Christmas eve.
II hear" observed Mr.. Quigley in n
low, commanding tone, rs he slowly filled
his pipe, that Robert Dare and Isabel
Yenn are to be married tomorrow"
YES" said the doctor, glancing from
the punch bowl to the captain; "by
license"
II wish / may die" wheezed the land
lord. ''if l warn't told that Robert had
bought Rose cottage, in Seaford lane"
"And he is gone off today for furniture. v
said the captain; mysterious. very"
"And quite party is invited to the
breakfast at Venn's afore they're off for q
London honeymoon" gasped the landlord
There's the vicar and squire and the
doctor and the cappen and Mr.. Quigley
md /, and some of the littler folks"
1t was a pleasant wedding breakfast, in
which the joy Of the young people blended
hn rif nf Chric fuun ha
flag waved from the tower OF the old gray
church, and the notes of the bells hoated
down the valley until they were lost
among the rocks.
at is not true" said Robert in respond
ing to the toast of bride and bridegroom
''that have purchased Rose cottage; we
are going into an established business al
Exeter; but perhaps it is flt that should
explain sono OF tho features OF my lAs,
trip across tho channel. The sage and
onions that will I'LL tho gcSso OF our poor
friends tomorrow will only sueceed a fal
different stufiin9. Ny neighbors all, (" and
here Robert smiled brightly ON the grizzlsd
| captain, slowed in each goose. and nov
| safe from the Philistines, was several
guineas' worth OF the most costly laee."
| Loud was the laughter and cheering
which only subsidized a. tho last toast Wa
given;
"A merry Christmas to all friends hers
and everywhere. and a happy New Yea
when 1t comes"
At this juucturs tho grisxied captain
who had boon miascd for . moment. reap
peared with horid fAss and sheepish cir
Ho had taken on his unifurm jacket viii
It's gilt buttons and svaileA hinnsslf Of tn
doctor's overcosk Thus. with ughtensS
| IL. - = 49, ..