The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-07

heart went clap-a-t clap, for here was
the nugget Of gold coming masked.
Perhaps" whispered back. .Oh,
Nell, how can wait for the day?''
"Pshaw. you silly boy' And then
she prattled on about the linen her
grandma was making for her and her
dress that was quite done, but no exact
time had she yet mentioned.
And to think, don't believe any
one outside of my own family mistrusts
one word" She looked up in my face.
No, nor ill mine" smiled back.
"But they will before long, ventured
as unattached her gate, hoping against
hope she would give me what I was
after, and she sweetly put up her lips
and said, Just one moro day, my Ze-
kiel. " How could I kiss that sweet
month? would have given my gray
colt just then to have been zeke and he
me. had not bargained for n kiss; but,
then, was she not as good as sister?
So kissed her and held her in my arms
moment and whispered Good night"
as she went in.
My cheeks burned, my fingers tin
gled, my heart futtered, so I broke into
rapid run and fled homcward.
Meantime Bob left Zeke, and the 9th
er boys came back round them and ask
ed questions and laid plans. A ringing
laugh now and then from the entry al
layed zcke's fears concerning Nell for
awhile. AS the plan was laid one of the
girls said as he came out:
''Zeke. Nell couldn't wait so long.
But she doesn't want you to feel bad
about it
why, no, f" zeke replied pleasantly.
II couldn't get away sooner" But his
face showed his disappointment,
We had found out the secret at least.
And now our luck hung upon the chance
OF Zeke and Nell not speaking of that
nights work Slim thread it was, but
anyway we could serenade them Just
the same.
We were busy. Masks to make, drums
to find and horns and bells and old tin
pans and-well. you young boys know
how it is told by your fathers, and you
old boys have all been there
knew Zeke had rented rooms in an
l. of Farmer Judson's house, and by
peering into the windows we saw every
thing was in readiness, even to fuel in
the woodbox.
They were married few minutes be-
fore (sinco learned it), had breakfast
at 8 and repaired to their new home to
look it over. Father and mother said
they were going to town and did, but
stopped there on their way hither.
Mono of my brothers and sisters mis-
trusted one word, and some of Nelly's
cousins were Us Ignorant as we. She
Ht-nS tl,n ,1x-o I,s
keep it from at home.
Zeke since has told me tho boys had
made their brags about no one ever cs-
Gaping boiling" where they were
and for this reason and this alone had
no kept it secret.
AS soon as night had spread her wings
over the earth we gathered our trappings
together for our grand serenade. We
were not quite sure whether the bride
and groom would Immediately settle
down i'll their new home or tarry day
or 30 at the old home. We knew we'll
that the minister from Glendale had re-
turned home, for myself had met him
with his wife in closed carriage that
afternoon But as twilight approached
cheerful light from ZeLe's new homo
told very plainly to us where they were
We marshaled our forces and took our
places i'll line Not drum was heard,
not buglo note, not the clap of q
broken bell, though L have often won
dered how we all kept from shouting
aloud as we peared into each others
faces.
Tramp, tramp, along tho slippery
roadl Forward i'll an irregular triangle
we stood before the lighted rooms and
commenced our bombardment Louder
and louder grew our frenzied music, as
no one opened the door. Finally the door
was opened, and we were invited in
Just behind mo was Bob, enormously
padded and painted, and in disguised
voice no said, pushing me little ahead
Il was their captain), "Salute the brider'
In q little alcove stood two forms with
something white thrown over them. l
supposed Nelly had done this to hide
her blushing face. So thinking of that
other kiss out in the moonlight strobe
up to them, picked out Nell by the
skirts visible beneath the cover, pulled
off the same with q quick motion and
planted kiss upon the rosy mouth of
the blushing bride-or so I supposed.
Shout upon shout came from those be-
hind me while rubbed my eyes to 500
If ! was indeed awake.
For there before me stood not Nellio
and Zekc, but Mr.. Whitney and his
white haired little wife Wild with the
determination to redeem myself and
punish those who had caused me to
make this mistake, I ransacked the
house for the ones I most wished to
find Others helped me, but it was final
ly told us by Nelly's father that the