The record-union., 1895-08-24


that Bob was out and out the best match
III the country, and that though he went
queer way to work, there was no know
Ing but what he met get as thick wiz th'
lass tnat gate as any other, and Mrs.
Lovelady responding that tastes differed
to be sure, and no doubt u 'ud be a good
job it their Catty could fancy him, but
for her part she couldn't as ever she was
tax Nkin' fur yon great start black
lOOkln' telley.
After Robert had continued his visits
Tor considerable time, however, with
out advancing matters in the least, his
wouId-oe father-in-law resolved to give
him hint; and accordingly one evening,
as he accompanied hun TO the gate on his
departure, he remarked jocularly:
bob, IL IRE thee I'd get a bit fOrra-
DER"
"How's thot?" said Boggart Bob.
Why, thOu's bin comm ere month
an more, an tn wench donnot know yet
| thou's artor her. Thors foony maxi o.
coortin'. mOno'
"Oh." said Bob renectively. Hoo
dunnot know Pm arter her? Pll let her
know il tnot's all.''
The next day was Saturday. and the
Rector of the parish was just giving a
final polish TO his sermon when he was
! informed that Mr.. Lealherbarrow wanted
to see him. Following hard upon the
messengers heels was Mr.. Leather bar
row himself, very red in the face, and
several sizes too big for the cosy little
| study.
Good afternoon, Bob" said the Rector
pleasantly. "Sit down. won't you? Can
l do anything for your"
/ Bob declined IL chair. and stood twirl
| ing his hat with big uncertain fingers,
staring ut the Rector meanwhile.
The latter repeated his question, and
| I<.tN ~
voice.
We'll, there is summat," he observed
in husky tones. Then he wiped his
brow. I'D as soon see yo' i the vestry,"
he added, jerking his thumb over his
shoulder.
The Rector rose, amused and curious,
and led the way thither. Bob stalking
after him with a gloomy and forbidding
expression of countenance. Arrived at
the ves.ry he looked round. coughed,
shifted bis weight from one foot TO the
other and finally remarked:
Her names Catty."
The Rector could not repress burst of
laughter.
"'t hat. Bob! Are you contemplating
! matrImony?"
Pm bahn to get We'd" returned Leath-
erbarrow tierce!y.
And q very good thing, too. / con-
graduate you. Pray excuse my laugh
ing. l was little taken by surprise.
| VINO Is The lady?"
| "Lorelady's wench. Her name is
| Catty-so yo' can Start start shoutin' US
o. Sunday, Pa'son. GOOD afternoon"
lie was gone before the Rector had
! time to recover from his amaZemeEt.
On sunday afternoon, therefore, to the
astonishmont OF the whole congrega
tlon, especially of one OF the parties most
| particularly concerned, the bannS of mar
rage were published between Robert
L3atherbarrow Of the Grange Farm and
| Catherine Lovelady OF Lowton.
In the dead stiffness which succeeded
the annouucement-all the coughing aud
| blowing or noses ceasing as by magic-a
smothered cry was heard, and the bride
| eject was observed TO be violently agi-
| tated. This was ielt TO be natural and
! even pardonable under the circum-
stances. Rustic etiquette prescribeS the
| absence OF bride and bridegroom from
| the service at which their banns are pub
llshed; but, though Catty had set this un
written law at defiance, her susceptibility
| on hearing herself shouted" was con-
siderei ample atonement. AS for Robert,
| VINO sat Sloildiy staring In front OF him,
"nobry" expected no better from him.
But when, after church, little band of
| SympathlZers ana the we'll wisherS ap-
| preached 10 compliment and congratu
| Lovelady III as pretty a fury rs ever an
lll-used maiden gave way to.
| HE never SO nlcn as asked me-" she
cried, i'll good broad Lancashire, forget
ing her educated speech in her excite
ment. "IO'n no need to moider me VII
yo'r good wishes. Pm moan balm to wed
| WI him, nor wouldn't ii there was never
another young mon i tn' place."
'SIch Impotence" eZ claimed her moth
er, pushing her way with an exasperated
countenauce through the group OF aston
ished friends. Coin an putin up the
banus wi'out a word to us.''
"Pll let him know summat," growled
Joe Lovelady. Il will thot.'
Here he cooms!" cried the excited
crowd. Here's Bob Leatherbarrow."
We'll, and what's TO do?" asked Bog
CART Bob, pausing to scowl round and
looking very big and ugly.
CaLty, at sight of him. showed symp-
toms OF impending nigh strlks," and
was consequently borne off by her moth
er and one or TWO other compassionate
malrons, while Farmer LoveIady angrlly
laced the swain.
'"Hhou's done fur thyseP now. as how
it's" ne observed; The lass III never
thooal tn sect on thee. TEou'rt a
gradeiy noddy. Bob Leatherbarrow, and
more nor a noddy! Did ever body hear
o. sich a notion? TO goo an get the lass
shouted atore thou knowed ii hoo were
willin' TO wed thee or not. Hoo'l never
wed thee nOW."
Bob drew long BREATH and threw an
other irowning glance round.
"If hoo dunnot wed me hoo'll we'd no.
bry else" he observed. AN SO yo' con
tell her, Joe."
"Thol's q likely tale!" cried the father,
while a few OF the rustic sparks stand
ing by nudged each other and laughed
derisively.
"Ah, yo' may litter and gigglel" cried
Bob, but | mean what L say. Yo' young
chaps theor-are yo' 'arkening? If ony
on yo' has a fancy fur keepin' company
wi' Catty Loveiaoy, give it up! I'lI ha'
summat to say TO thot. Hoo's my lass,
am I'll stick To her, an I'll wed her, soon
or late. SO theer! Good day to yo',
Joeu'
The Indignation of Catty when this
speech was reported to her knew no
bounds.
We'll see who'll hold out the longest"
she cried. and when her lover called the
following evening she shut tho door in
his face. But Bob took the rebuff very
| calmly.
Pm gettin' the parlor done up at our
place." he shouted through the keyhole.
Red curtains and Brussels carpet.
| Rale 'andsOme."
"N hat DO l care about our curtains
and your carpels?" retorted Catty.
AN next week we's ha' th' new pian-
ner as l ordered tro' Liverpool"
much good may it do you"
Heavy stops were heard without, NOV
ing away aud ihen drawing near again.
"Cat,yu'
go away. Pm not going to talk to
you"
"Catty. I'll have yo'i Dun yo' hear,
! Cally? I'll have yo'! L care nowt fur
what yo' say-l'il have yo'n
"Ho! ho! hon' laughed old Joe, from
the Kitchen within. "Th' chaps fair
determined. l welly blieve he'll win
the day"
"We'll see that" cried Catty. rejoining