The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-02-01

from school and put on my new red
dress. ! was more than surprised at
that, for Hannah never would let me
stay home from school, and to put on
my new dress of week day was of
itself an event. BY the time ] was
dressed aud Hannah had conbed and
curled my hair, Uncle Horace Lester,
cousin Patty's aher, drove into the
yard with all his folks, and pretty soon
Aunt Susan Bean came, and then
Uncle Amon Potter. l thought this
was very strange, for Thanksgiving
aud Christmas were both past, but the
people kept coming till the house was
full. Among the rest Mr.. Davis, the
minister, came with his wife and
Fanny, their little girl. | was ever so
glad to see Fsnny, and took her out to
show her my white kittens. When we
came in the people were all sitting
around the parlor, and Hannah mo-
toned 10 us TO sit down by her. And
pretty soon Patty Lester came in from
the hall, all dressed in white, with Levi
Jerome, and our Patty dressed in white,
too, with John Harmon. And at that
Fanny whispered to me, "Ob, it's a
wedding" for Fanny's father being a
minister, she had seen weddings, which
| never had. So l whispered to her,
Who is going to be marriedp And
she whispered back, "Why, your Patty
and John Harm on"
Then Patty and John stood together
between the front windows, and Patty
Lester stood beside Patty, and Levi
Jerome beside John, and John put
ring on Palty's finger, and Mr.. Davis
asked them questions and made
prayer, and Fanny said they were mar
ried. Aud then John kissed Patty
right before everybody, and all the rest
kissed her and said they hoped she
would be happy.
That was gala day in my childlife.
And what with the company and the
supper and the pleasant excitement, /
thought wedding an occasion of pure
enjoyment till late in the afternoon
Fanny Davis said TO me. "Aren't you
sorry to have John take Patty away?'
"Will hep" asked, with sudden
sense of dismay, for l had not one
thought of such possibility.
"Of course he will" she answered
from the height of her superior knowl-
edge, "they always do. And they are
out in the hall now ready TO 60"
At that rushed into the ball, where
sure enough they were, and Patty with
her dress changed and her wraps on.
John" ] cried, selling his arm, are
you going TO take our Patty away? If
you do | shall never like you any more,
and l shall wish you had gone west, and
stayed there, l shall"
With that John tossed me up, as he
was always doing, "Why, Abby" be
said, how can you say so?" and then
low, so that nobody but Patty heard
him, "when you know it was you who
kept me from going"
Then he and Patty looked at each
other and smiled. But before l he'd
time TO ask if he really did stay just be-
cause wanted him to, Patty knelt down
and put her arms around me.
"Don't cry, Abby she whispered,
/ must go with John, | belong to
John now"
"And don't you belong TO us any
more?" / asked learfully.
Eyes, dear, and always shall; but"
and she kissed me softly, &C belong TO
John first"
Just then their sleigh drove to the
door and John lifted her into it's nest
of furs.
AS they started away Hannah put one
of Patty's old slippers in my hand and
told me to throw it after them. AS /
did so everybody laughed, and Patty,
with her eyes shining like stars, and
the long plumes of her hat falling
against her pink cheeks, looked back
and smiled and kissed her hand. And
while was almost heartbroken at her
going, ! felt, child though was, that /
could not grieve with that radiant and
happy face before my vision.-Ella
Thomas, in Home Magazine.