Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-03-29
RAINIER, FRIDAY, MARCH %, 1895.

pers in Andy's ear. AS he did, the lazy
blacksmith seemed reused from his leth-
argy at last, and muttering, "Sure,
thought 1 heard thim," turned inconti-
nently from the altar and fairly plunged
through the people down the aisle, fol
lowed by Terence and Mrs. Flanagan,
who besought him in loud whispers to
come back, and pulling his mother after
him, who, with great presence of mind,
had firmly grasped the tails of his coat
Meanwhile Father Gallagher had reached
the spot where the truant had stood, and
while he paused for the little tumult to
| subsido Katie quietly motioned her Patscy
to the vacant place next her, so when the
crowd closed behind the struggling quar-
tet he found demure looking maiden and
a man of feet 2, with red hair and face
like child in surprise, awaiting his serv-
ices.
"Yc're name, me good man"
"Patsey O'Rourke, ye're riverince," an
swered the bridegroom, who had darted a
! look at the bride for directions Then the
ceremony proceeded.
- Are yo, Pathrck O'Rourke, willing to
receive Kathleen Flanagan, here present,
as your lawful wife according to the rite
| Oh JllG nOly lnOJDCr CnurCn!
II beg ye're riverince's pardin," said
| Patsey.
81 will, 1 WILL" whispered Katie, jog
| ging him with her elbow.
Il will, l will, J." echoed Patsey loudly
and turned to her again for further in
structions, but she was listening with
downcast eyes while the priest put the
| question to her, and as she answered Il
will' in a low voice there arose outside
the sound of eager voices mingled with
shouts of laughter and the shrill kick
kick -kick-kyar" of a bantam cock in sore
distress, while a voice that was unmistak,
| ably that of GurteGn's blacksmith cried
piteously, For the love of hiven don't ye
pull the Elegant tail out av him, Tim
| Dwyer." a subdued litter ran through
the chapel, and some one said in loud
whisper, Ills the way Andy's little hins
is got out''-a speech that was followed
by decided movement toward the door
by the younger members of the congrega-
ton.
Again Father Gallagher had to pause
until the CommOtion had subsidized and the
more sporting members of the congrega-
tion had retired to see the fun. During
the pause Katie flashed look Of trium-
plant meaning up at her betrothed, over
whose innocent face the light Of under
standing gradually stole, and soon his
great body was shaking with only half
suppressed laughter that threatened to be-
come so violent that she had to pinch him
Ciciously to bring him to his senses. Then
Che rings were given up to be blessed,
Patsey producing his from the lining of
his hat and dropping it twice afterward
before Katie managed to run her finger
deftly through it.
There was nothing left to do now but to
sign the register, but before that could be
the hunting party had returned to finish
the ceremony. The first to appear was
Mrs Lyneham, her gray hair struggling
over her face and brcathless with the
chase. Under one arm she held a bantam
hen that covered her with its yellow feath-
ers in its struggles. With the ether she
dragged her son forward, who gave all his
attention to modifying the feelings of an
irate cock half hidden in his BOSOM
Timsie Dwyer, who had obligingly joined
the rescue party, brought up the rear with
two more or less suffocatcd hantams I'M
der each arm.
Here he Is for We" painted Mrs. Lyme
ham,. Twas the way-what arc yo
laughing at, Patsey O'Rourke?' for the
nowly made bridegroom was grinning
gleefully from behind the newly made
bride.
Il don't want him." said Katie boldly.
81 have no mind for boy as goes huntin
hins when he ought to be margin before
the howly althar"
"Arrah whishtl' said the old woman
coaxingly. THE prashto will come back
agin and say the words for ye."
"'Tis too late ye are, ma'am," said
Katie, tossing her heGA 81 couldn't be
waitin for the likes av nm, so l Just took
this daCint hoy that was standin be me,
and she put her hand saucily through
Patsey's arm.
TITS no marriage" cried Mrs. Lyme
ham, with spirit, while Terence and his
wife stood amazed.
"'Tis the only marriage I'll ever make, "
said Katie, drawing closer to her husband
and looking with burning cheeks straight
at her mother.
Have ye nothing to say7" cried Mrs
Lynoham, turning to Andy.
Let her kape Patsey O'Rourke if she
wants him." said Andy simply. Ills yo
made the match for me, though towld ye
1 had no mind for margin at all, at all!'
and he fell again to stroking the little ban
tam that tried to peck his way through
his coat
Lave it as it is, Tirince," said Timsie
Dwyer, coming forward and squeezing his
hens tight with his elbows so that they
should not interrupt him. Lave it as it
is man, an give Katie the hundred
poun all the same"
But honest Terence felt he had been
fooled and %hOe> his head obstinately I'M
til Katie cast such pitcuus look of be-
seeching at her mother that the good wom-
ans eyes filled with tears, and she whis
pered:
"rirince, avic, be said by Timsio
Dwyer"
And he was.-All the Year Round.