The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-09-06
MATRIM0NY,
Thomas "a Rustic. Eliza Ia BELIEF


coquetry and a smile) - Law, Mr..
Thomas, how you take girl back to
be sure! A-creeping in so quiet when
she's a-washing up the tea-things, and
as far off a-thinking of her young man
as of anything in this world.
Thomas Temoving his pipe, slowly
And as | seed a-looking out of this
ere window as distant as you please,
and a-patting the curls on your fore
head, and setting yourself all becom-
ing. You speak the truth, Lizer! In
ventlons is discovered.
Eliza tossing her head)-You're q
clever one, you are, Mr.. Thomas. And
so perlitG and pleasing. What hey
YOU come for to-day?
Thomas-Ive come to be asst to set
down, to start on.
Then I've come TO hev a few words
with Lizer Potter as my bands hev
bipcalled with, and nobody amt for
bid.
Elza-Forbid. Law, Thomas, who's
to forbid 'em, and my gownd and bon
net all ready and waiting upstairs2
Joe, he were a bit upset, TO be Sure,
"When's it to be?" says Joe, grumpy
like. "Toosday week." says I. You're
fool, Lizer Potter" says Joe, and
Thomas-And Joe were about right,
LiZer. / come to-day-seeing as how
tried to write 1t in a letter. but the
words were long and the ink a-drying
up because Of the heat-to say as how
matrimony don't answer, which is gos-
pei and were in the noospaper.
Eliza CanIing herself with a hand
kerchieO - Law, Thomas, whatever
are you driving at?
Thomas-Put down that there wipe,
Lizer; and be your sensiblest. I've
been a-thinking l don't do much on
it, usual. 1t wastes time and don't
lead to nothing except troubles. But
seeing how I was to be married, Toos-
day week, as you said to Joe, vera
cious and Parson he says: "'Tis a
serious step, joe" and the sermon in
the service is a regular take-back,
thinks it over serious and l comes to
the conclusion as if it could be settled
affable and no words, and friendly
disposed and such like, there's time
for Lizer Potter and to behave sensi-
BILE, and single.
Eliza Qeaning back on her chair and
gasping)-Oh!
LOlLoo DOu llllUh DIS YOU re gu
ing for to faint Lizer, cause you amt
There's a deal too much cold water
in that there jug as / see standing
handy and promiscuous in the back
kitchen. And I'm not going to be-
have harsh. "lf Lizer Potter Is agree
able" says I, subject to that. If she
amt, Toosday week all the same and
no complaints, and as cheerful as you
can. But if she's a sensibler girl than
most, she'll see as how marriage don't
SCOT any but fools, and is all a-quar-
relling and a-wishing yourself free
again."
Eliza (weeping)-And us as hev--
walked out-twc years-come Michael
mas.
Thomas - We hev, Lizer. Spoken
true. But what is walking out? Walk
ing out is a-putting your arm round
a waist, and a-looking up at the moon
or down at your boots, as you feel dis
posed, and a-saylng nothing. And
marriage, Lizer, when you've got over
your lowering, as you do uncommon
quick, Is a-bickering, and a-quarreling,
and a-fghting; is one wanting the
winder open and one wanting it shut,
one liking their tea as has drawed
considerable and the other liking II
fresh; one, as is the gal invarible, a.
liking a gossip over the hedge, and
the other, as seems a deal the sensi.
blest of the two, liking his pipe silent,
and no words and gossips at no time
Thets matrimony, Lizer, es was made
for fools.
Eliza between sobs)-And my gown
and homeland the neighbors es Will
live TO say that Lizer-Potter-es
were-thought - such-a sight on
were Tilted by stupid-old-chap--
like-yUu!
Thomas - Seeing as how you're
what's called upset, and means in a
temper, won't give 1t yer back, Lizer.
l hev thought of the bonnet and gown
as is pomps and vanites, and of the
neighbors, as isn't worth it. You can
say, Lizer, as you Tilted me. And the
gownd and bonnet, if you don't want
EN- wasted, you can marry Joe in.
Eliza with sudden hopefulness fol-
lowed by renewed sobbing)-Joe!
Thomas-Joe Joe is one of them
chaps es thinks marriage ii be like
Heaven. Joe thinks as two can do as
comfortable as one on fourteen shil-
ings. Joe's that sort. He's fond of
you, Llzer. Joe don't think, don't
Joe, as your air won't be allus in curl,
as you won't be allus a-smiling, and
a-beaming, and affable as an angel, on
| that fourteen shilling. I've spoke 10
/ Joe and he'll marry you ter morrer.
eff you'll take him. And things IL be
comfortable all round.
Eliza Ia good deal coasoled)-Tll
| think about IL, He'll be better than
you, anyway. You've behaved shame
! ful, Thomas.
Thomas-Only honest, Llzer. You'll
be better off with Joe. And me-
! though l own as | found you uncom-
mon pleasant to walk with. I'll be o
sight better alone. And I'll promise
you I'll change my notions Of matri-
mony altogether if it don't turn out ~
the curse O. six months as I've done
5oa a darned shabby turn-Black and