The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-08-24
AN ANNIVERSARY.

Adair Selkirls and I were quietly
married in the dear little church of our
native village, and as Adair had al
ready secured employment in distant
town of some Importance, we left
shortly after the ceremony for our flu
fure home.
We secured board in n private fam
ny and lived in this way until after
ihe birth of our. baby boy, who came
70 gladden our hearts ten months be-
fore the opening of my story. +.
Soon after this important event we
rented coy little cottage in the sub
urbs of town, and, after securing the
service Of my old black "mammie,"
settled .down in q humble establish
ment OF our own.
We had lived thus about six months,
when the third anniversary of our
marriage rolled around. We decided
70 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 fve-o'clock
dinner; after which we anticipated n
delightful evening together.
Old Mammie and l were in futter
Of excitement over the prospects of
giving our first entertainment. and we
spared no pains In arranging to have
eyd Aing served in our best possible
Din order that this might be
d~s engaged the services of a 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 file d
the air and the clouds threatened a
heavy rain before Moons AS / kissed
Adair good-by at eight l had many
forebodings OF sad termination to my
anticipated days pleasure.
Just as the clock struck twelve the
doorbell rang, and as Mammie left the
Ice cream freezer to answer il she said,
with sigh of relief: ''Well. dat
nigger's on time, and rs pow'ful glad
on il, Gaze turnin' dis here crank amt
no easy job, tell you. lie sho' is well
come"
Ia few minutes she returned, fol-
lowed by the boy James, and handed
me note which bad just been left by
a servant from the rcctory. On open
ing IL read as follows:
DEAR FRIEND-Mr. Clarke was taken sick
suddenly In tho night Early this morning /
called In our physician. who pronounced his
case TO be moro serious than we at first sup
posed He viii require careful nursing for
several days, 50 II will be impossible for usto
be with you to-night We send our best wishes
for pleasant evening and for many happy re-
turns Of this day. Your friend,
ANNE CLARKE"
Just then the rain came down in a
steady patter, and with sigh which
gave expression to my disappointment
] went over to the window and stood
gazing out into the gloomy street
"Come. now, Mis- CressIe, honey,
doxn>bc a 'dulgin' in no SIGH sor'ful
ia hts. Jist turn your mine back
fer three years, and think NV how
happy you was dat night as you went
cr ridin up to de chu'ch do. Mars
'Dair'll be here presently, and cfn do
company don't come he and de baby'n
be here, and we'll Joy our own selves
jist as much as cf'n dey all had been
here
saw much wisdom in Mammie's re-
marks, and immediately resolved that
/ would not allow the disappointment
20 cast shadow over the third ami
vcrsary OF my wedding day, and began
20 romp with baby, who sat tied in his
high chair by the table amusing him
self 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 advanced,
and after changing my dress ! seated
myself In the little parlor, with baby
asleep IN my arms. anxiously awaiting
M husbands return, as knew he
W. make every effort TO get of
from the Office at an earlier hour than
usual Presently the welcome sound
of his footsteps greeted my ears. and
soon he stood beside me-
Isn't IL too bad" said, as tucked
baby away on tho sofa, "that we should
have such a miserable evening for our
first effort at hospitality?"
1T Is, indeed. my little wife, but IL
IS just as we'll so--a greater disappoint-
mcnt Is yet la store for you have re-
ccivcl Instructions from Mr. Benedict
20 80 his partner IN the city tonight
on NDortant business for the tlrm. In
Greer 10 catch the train ! must leave
yCu Ia half an hour Davenport Is 20
accompany rae; therefore, you need
not expect him or his WIFE,