The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-09-06

Thomas % rustic). Eliza IA BELIEF. Scene;
A ccttac.a lritchan

Thomas 70 RUSTIC. Eliza "a BELIEF. Scene;
A cottage kitchen.
Eliza (wasbing up tea things, with CO.
quetry and snile)--Law, MIR. Thomas,
how you take girl back to be surei
Creeping In SO quiet when she's a-washing
up the tea things, and as far of a-think-
ing Of her young man Us of anything In
this world.
Thomas (removing his pipe slowly
And as I seed a-looking out OF this ere
window ns distinct as you please, and
a-patting the curls on your forehead, and
setting yourself all becoming. You speak
the truth, Lizerl Inventions Is discovered.
Eliza (tossing her bead)-You're a clev-
or one, you are, Mr.. Thomas. And SO per-
lite and pleasing. What hev you come for
today2
Thomas-I'vo como to be ast to set down,
to start on. Then I've come to hev few
words with Lzer Potter, as my bands hev
bin called with and nobody amt forbid.
Eliza-Forbidl Law, Thomas, who's to
forbid en-, and my gownd and bonnet all
ready and waiting up stairs2 Joe, he were
bit upset, to be sure. "When's IL to be9'
says joe grumpylike. "Toosday week"
says L you're q fool, Lizer Potter, says
Joe, and
Thomas-And Joe were about right,
to write 1t In 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 gospel and were In the
noospaper.
Eliza Canning herself with handker-
chief)-Law, Thomas, whatever are you
driving at2
Thomas-Put down that there wipe,
Lizer, and be your sensiblest. I've been
a-thinking. don't do much on 1t, usual. 1t
wastes time and don't lead to nothing ex-
cept troubles. But seeing how was to be
married, Toosday week, as you said to Joe,
veracious, and parson no says, 'Tis Sc
rious step, Joe," and the sermon In the
service is a regular take back, thinks 1t
over serious and comes to the conclusion
as IL it could be settled affable and no
words, and friendly disposed and such
like, there's time for Lizer Potter and I to
behave sensible, and single.
Eliza Cleaning back on her chair and
gasping)-Ohi
Thomas-Don't think as you're going
for to faint, Lizer, cause you amt.
There's deal toe. much cold water in that
there jug as ISsee standing handy and
promiscuous in the back kitchen. And I'm
not going to behave harsh. "If Lizer Pot
ter is agreeable says /, Subject to that.
IL bi0 hlh LOoSuuy WtCh III buO ehlhC
and no complaints, and as cheerful as you
can. But If she's q sensibler girl than
most, she'll see as how marriage don't SCOT
any but fools, and is all a-quarreling and
a-wishing yourself free again"
Eliza (weeping)-And us-as hev--
walked out-two years-come Michael
mas.
Thomas-we hev, Lizer. Spoken true
But what is walking outf Walking out is
a-putting your arm round waist, and
a-looking up at the moon or down at your
boots, as you feel disposed, and a-saying
nothing. A marriage, Lizer, when you've
got over your lowering, as you do uncom-
mon quick, is a-bickering and a-quarrel-
ing and a-fghting; is ono wanting the
winder open and one wanting 1t shut, one
liking their tea as has drawd considerable
and the other liking it fresh; one, as is the
gal invariable, a-liking a gossip over the
hedge, and the other, as seems deal the
sensiblest Of the two, liking his pipe silent,
and no words and gossips at no time.
Thet's matrimony, Lizer, es was made for
FOOLS
Eliza (between sobs)-And my gownd
and homeland the neighbors es will live
to say that Lizer-Potter-es were
thought-such-a sight on-were Tilted by
old-chap-like--you
Thomas-Seeing as how you're what's
called upset, and means In o temper,
won't give It yer back, Iizer. I hev thought
| of the bonnet and gownd, as Is pomps and
vanities, and of the neighbors, as isn't
worth 1t. You can say, Lizer, as you Tilted
me- And the gownd and the bonnet, II
you don't want 'em wasted, you can mar.
| ry Joe In.
Eliza with sudden hopefulness, followed
by renewed sobbing)-Joel
Thomas-Joe. Joe Is one of them chaps
es thinks maTriagel be like heaven. Joe
| thinks as two can do as comfortable as one
on IA shillings. Joe's that sort. He's fond
of you, Lizer. 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-beamine
and affable as an angel on that IA shil.
ling I've spoke to Joe, and he'll marry
| you termorrer eff you'll take him. And
things'll be comfortable all round.
Eliza Ia good deal consoled)-1n think
| about it. He'll be better than you anyway.
You've behaved shameful, Thomas.
Thomas-Only honest, Lizer. You'll be
better off with Joe. And me, though
own as found you uncommon pleasant
to walk with, I'll be a sight better alone.
| There's Joe a-coming up the road with his
pipe. And III promise you I'll change my
notions of matrimony altogether II 1t don't
| turn out in the course o. six months as
| I've done Joe darned shabby turn
Black and White