St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1895-10-19
AN ANNIVERSARY.

Adair Selkirk and I were quietly
married in the dear little church of our
native village. and as Adair had al.
ready secured employment i'm a distant
town of some Importance. we left
shortly after the ceremony for our flu.
ture home.
We secured hoard in a private fam
lily. and lived in this way until after
the birth of our baby boy. who came
to gladden. oar hearts ten months be-
fore the opening of my story.
Soon after this important event we
rented a cDzy little cottage in the sub
urbs of town. and. after securing the
service of my old black ''mammie." :"
settled down i'm a 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 ccle the occasion by inviting
Adair's best friend. Oscar Davenport.
and his wife (who had been a school,
mate of my own. together with our
minister and his wife, to a five-o'clock
dinner; after which we anticipated a
delightful evening together.
Old Mammie and l were in . dutter
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 he
done | 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 filed
the air and the clouds threatened a
heavy rain before noon. As l kissed
Adair good-by at eight l had many
fore ebodings of a 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 it she said,
with sigh of relief: "Well, dat
nigger's on time, and Is posv'ful glad
on il, Gaze turnin' dis here crank amt
no easy job. tell YOU He sho' is well
come
In few minutes she returned, fol-
lowed by the boy James, and handed
me note which had just been left by
a servant from the rectory. On open
ing it read as follows:
DEAR FRrEND-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 sup
posed He viii require careful nursing for
several days. so it will be impossible fo- US to
he with you tonight We send our best wishes
for pleasant evening and for many happy re-
turns Q: 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- Cres>ie. honey,
don't be 'dulgin' in no sich sor'ful
thoughts. Jist turn your mine back
Ter three years, and think nv how
happy you was DAT night as you went
er ridin' up to de chu'ch do. Mars
'Dair'll be here presently, and efn de
company don't come he and de baby'n
he here, and we'll Joy our own selves
jist as much as efn dey all had been
here"
l saw much wisdom in Mammie's re-
marks. and immediately resolved that
would not allow the disappointment
to cast shadow over the third anni-
versary of my wedding day. and began
to 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 l seated
myself in the little parlor. with baby
asleepan my arms, anxiously 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 welcome sound
of his footsteps greeted my ears, and
soon he stood beside me.
Isn't it too bad" said, Is tucked
baby away on the sofa, that we should
have such a miserable evening for our
first effort at hospitality?"
ut is, indeed, nv little wife. but il
Is just as well so-a greater disappoint-
ment is get in store for YOU Ihave re-
ceived instructions from Mr.. Benedict
to meet his partner in the city tonight
on important business for the firm. In
order to catch the train l must leave
you in half an hour. Davenport is to
accompany me: therefore. you need
not expect him or his wife
felt on the verge of food of tears.
and my face must have giveh expression
20 my feelings, for my husband drew
nc close within his arms and said:
.I)on't give way to those feelings. but
listen to me- have some good news
to tell you. The property ] owned in
MaryilA has at last found a pur-
chaser. and as real estate has gone up
%here / received for it $1,000 in cash.
This money came to me by express this
.uninA. and rs had ND time to 60
f,.olr 10 tho bank. I must trust IT 70
vonr care for the night"
g sayine, ~ placed the package il
~ tsada