Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-08-10

| ENss.---s.,t1VM( ceremony Tor Oul
" wv n Wesecured board
' in II private
family, and lived in this way until the
birth of our baby boy, who came to
gladden. our hearts ten months before
the opening of my story.
Soon after this important event
We rented cosey little cottage in the
suburbs Of town, and after securing
the service of my old black "Mammie, "
settled down in an humble establish.
ment of our own.
We had lived thus about six months,
when the third anniversary of our
marriage rolled around We decided
to celebrate the occasion by inviting
Adair's best friend, Oscar Davenport,
and his wife (who had been school.
mate of my OWN, together with our
minister and his wife, to s o'clock
dinner; after which we anticipated II
delightful evening together.
Old Mammie and were in hutter
OF excitement over the prospects Of
giving our first entertainment, and we
spared no pains in arranging to have
everything served in our best possible
style. In order that this might be
done ! engaged the services of n waiter
from one of the hotels, and he was to
present himself at the cottage at noon.
The morning of the third dawned
cloudy and cold. A thick mist filled
the air and the clouds threatened n
heavy rain before noon. As kissed
Adair goodby at 8 | had many fore
holdings of sad termination to my
anticipated days pleasure.
Just as the clock struck II the door
bell rang, and as Mammie left the ice
cream freezer to answer it she said,
with sigh of relief: "Well, dat
walters on time, and rs pow'ful glad
on it, Gaze turnin' dis here crank amt
no easy job, I tell you. He sho' is
welcome.
In few minutes she returned, fol-
lowed by the boy James, and handed
me note which had just been left by
n servant from the rectory. On open
ing it read as follows:
"DEAR FREND-Mr. Clarke was
taken sick suddenly in the night.
Early this morning I called in our
physician, who pronounced his case
to be more serious than we at first
supposed. He will require careful
nursing for several days, SO it will be
impossible for us to be with you to-
night. We send our best wishes for
pleasant evening and for many happy
returns of this day. Your friend,
CANINE CLARKE.
Just then the rain came down in
steady patter, and with o sigh which
gave expression to my disappoint-
ment, | went over to the window and
stood gazing out into the gloomy
street.
"Come, now, Miss Cressie, honey,
don't be 'dulgin' in no SIGH sor'ful
thoughts. Jlst turn your mine back
fer three years, and think NV how
happy you was dat night as you went
er ridin' up to dc chu'ch do. Mars
Darrell be here presently, and ef'n de
company don't come he and de baby'll
be here, and we'll Joy our own selves
jist as much as eff dey all had been
here"
l saw much wisdom in Mammies
remarks, and Immediately resolved
that I would not allow the disappoint-
ment to cast shadow over the third
anniversary of my wedding day, and
began romp with baby, who sat tied
in his high chair by the table amusing
himself with the big kitchen spoon.
Thus some time passed pleasantly
away, when James announced that the
table was ready for my inspection.
The afternoon was now far adj
vanced, and after changing my dress
| seated myself i'll the little parlor,
with baby asleep in my arms, anx,
iousIy awaiting my husbands return,
as knew he would make every effort
to get off from the Office at an earlier
hour than usual. Presently the well
come sound of his footsteps greeted
my ears, and soon he stood beside me.
"lsn't it too bad" | said as tucked
baby away on the sofa, "that we
should have such miserable evening
for our first effort at hospitality"
at is, indeed, my 'iittle wife, but it
is just as well so-.a greater disap-
pointment is yet in store for you. l
have received instructions from Mr..
Benedict to meet his partner in the
city tonight onimportant business for
the firm. in order to catch the train
l must leave you in half an hour. Day.
export is to accompany me; therefore
you need not expect him or his wife"
l felt on the verge of flood of
tears, and my face must have given
expression to my feelings, for my hus-
band drew me close within his arms
and said: "Don't give way to those
feelings, but listen to me. have
some good news to tell you. The
property l owned in Marville has at
last found purchaser, and as real es.
tate has gone up there received for
it $4,000 in cash. Tho money came to
me by express this evening, and as
had no time &c go back to the bank,
must trust it to your care for the
night"
So saying, he placed the package in
my hands.
81 shall be in the city only a few
hours" he continued, land will return
by the night express, oyou may look
for me about 2 o'clock in the morning.
Dom. make up your mind to be mis-