Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1895-05-18
FROSTBURG Md, SATURDAY, MAY Is, 1895.

front of the altar arm in arm. The min
lister, old and nearsighted and little
deaf, advanced, probably concluding
that his services were required.
Major Teller's blood ran cold. He
tried to protest, but his tongue seemed
paralyzed. Miss PettiTew had captured
him as lamb for tho slaughter, and
where was the use of further struggle?
A few words-an appallingly brief
ceremony-and Major Teller was mar
ried to Miss Patiencel
Take the market basket, my dear, ;
said the gaunt bride, land stay-you'd d
better carry the umbrella too. Well
60 right home. Old folks like you and
me don't care for wedding tours, do WEI"
The major looked piteously at his
better half and made no answer. She,
however, waited for none, but drew him
along with quiet determination that
argued i'll for the future.
"Give mo the key to the room, my
dear, said Mrs. Pettigrew Teller. "I'd
better keep it in future.
The major handed over tho key with
out word Of remonstrance, ard his eld-
erly wife opened the door.
We'll slick up things little" said
Mrs. Teller, bundling the majors be-
loved papers together and pitching his
box Of cigars out of the window.
But, Miss PATIENCE
"Whatr'
my dear wife, l meanv'
"Ah, yes. What were you abclt to
remark?'
my cigars-I'-
"Oh, we'll, l don't like smoke-never
did! wish you'd take all these coats
and things out of the wardrobe want
it for dresses. "
But where shall l keep them, Mss
Pa
"What did you say?"
Mrs. Teller, would remark
''Oh, under the bed or somewhere!
You must have plenty of money. By the
way, suppose you give me tho money to
keep now, my dear. I'll manage it a
great deal more economically than you
will be likely to "
But
"Give me the money, l say"
Major Teller meekly put his hand
into his pocket and submissively hand
ed over the purse
The major crept silently away think
ing how, the last time he crossed that
threshold, he was free man, and now:
"Im marriedr' mused Major Teller
II couldn't help it. 1t wasn't my fault,
but here l am, no money, no cigars, no
freedom-worse than any galley slave.
Sixty years old next month and mar
ried to Patience PettigrewW
He walked disconsolately down tho
street, both hands in his empty pockets
ana his hat tipped recklessly down over
his eyes.
He stopped at the street corner, un-
certain which way to go. But as he
gazed the bright, steely glimmer of the
river caught his eye.
''All right" muttered Sempronius
moodily. "I'n go and drown myself.
It's short way out of long lane of
difficulty. Anything but going back to
Patience Pettigrew
"Want boat, sir?" demanded stur-
dy man.
YES" said the major; II want Cha
ron's boat to row me over the StyX."
Don't know him, sir, - said tho puz-
zled boatman, "but mines sound and
light and'-
The major waited to hear no more,
but gave blind downward jump.
Down, down with that peculiar sen
sation of falling SO familiar to us all
wn-down-until-
beg pardon, sir, but the church is
goin to be shut up, and everybody's
gone Hope you've had good nap,
sir?''
The sexton spoke satirically, but in
his tones Major Tellor recognized hope
and freedom. He started wildly to his
feet.
Major Teller satisfied the sexton with
donation whose liberality astonished
even that parsonage and went at once
to hotel to engage rooms.
"I'll send for my things, he thought.
II won't go back to that house. I'm
not married, and don't mean to be
marricdw
Discretion Is the better part of valor
and Miss Patience Pettigrew remains
Miss Patience Pettigrew still. Bnt Ma
jor Teller goes to church very regularly
nowl-Exchange