The Somerset reporter., 1894-08-23

mouth? | would have given my gray
colt Just then to have been Zeke and he
me. had not bargained for kiss; but,
then, was she not as good as a sister;
So | kissed her and held her in my arms
a moment and whispered Good night
as she went in.
My checks burned, my fingers tin
glcd. my heart fiuttered, so ! broke into
"A rapid run and fled homeward.
Meantime Bob left Zehe, and the 9th
or BOYS came back round them and ask
cd questions and laid plans. a ringing
laugh now and then from the entry al
laycd Zeke's fears concerning Nell for
awhile. As the plan was laid one Of the
girls said Us he came out:
"Zeke. Nell couldn't wait so long.
But She docsn' want you to feel bad
about it .
Why, no. 50 Zelle replied pleasantly.
Il couldn get away sooner. y 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
night 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-wcll, you young boys know
how il Is told 10y your fathers, and you
old boys have all been there.
/ knew Zcke had rented rooms in an
l. of Farmer Judson's house, and by
pcering into the windows we saw every
thing was in readiness, even to fuel in
the woodboX.
They were married few minutes be-
fore since learned it, had breakfast
at 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.
None of my brothers and sisters mis-
trusted one word, and some Of Nelly's
cousins were as ignorant as we. She
was the only child, SO had no one to
keep it from at home.
Zeke since has told me the boys had
made their brags about 10 one ever es,
Gaping "belling'' where they Were,
and for this reason and this alone had
ne kept IL 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 in their new home or tarry a day
or so at the old home. We knew well
that the minister from Glendale had re-
turned home, for | myself had met him
with his wife i'll closed carriage that
afternoon But as twilight approached
a cheerful light from Zeke's new home
told very plainly to US where they We're.
We marshaled our forces and took our
places in line, Not drum was heard,
not buglc note not the clap of a
broken bell, though | have often Won
dercd how we all kept from shouting
aloud as we reared into each others
fac ).
Tramp, tramp, along the slippery
road! Forward in 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 me was Bob, enormously
padded and painted, and i'll a disguised
voice he said, pushing me a little ahead
/ was their captain), Salute the bride'
In little alcovc stood two forms with
something white thrown over them.
supposed Nelly had done this to hide
her blushing face. So thinking of that
L IL. I Ia
up to them, picked out Nell by the
skirts visible beneath the cover, pulled
off the same with "A quick motion and
planted kiss upon the rosy mouth of
the blushing bride-or so | supposed
Shout upon shout came from those be
hind me while rubbed my eyes to see
if l was indeed awake
For there before me stood not Nellie
and Zeke but Mr.. Whitney and his
white haired little wife, Wild with the
determination to redeem myself ana
punish those who had caused me to
make this mistake | ransacked the
house for the ones | most wished to
find. Others helped me- but it was final
ly told US by Nelly's father that thu
bride and groom had gone with the min
lister to Glendale, there to take a cou
veyance to Poker's Corner to visit with
relatives for several weeks. During the
excitement | had forgotten to disguis,
my voice 1t was too late when | recov-
cred myself. | was sold completely
Salute the bride" was hurled at me
for years, and always up my back would
creep the G. ills as they had that nigl
when | found | had Rugged and kiss
old Mrs Whitney. Nellie told me VIII
she came holle if had not treated b
SO shabbily hat night in the moonshil
her heart W I'D have repented her b
fore she had laid all the plans. tt
tour was planned but an hour befoi
the wedding when they happened t.
stumble upon the truth
And now | don't know why | hav'
told this | never want tC inflict Il
public with matter which has no me
al or lesson This has none unless it
do unto others" etc. | think W
served just right for playing the deteci
i've. Yet Zoke either ought to have told
me all or not have been my twin
Philadelphia Times