The record-union., 1897-07-11
".Tis all along of these beastly rev.

/ inc with bow and arrow was the ex-
citement of the moment. Some of the
marksmen. who had perhaps paid a
surreptitious visit or two to the holloW
oak in the Flax Piece, had tired OF
their target, and had gone for walk
/ nm the village street, still armed with
their weapons, and unseen by Mr.. Cur
tice Sundry fowls and ducks had fall
len to their bows, and they did not
| spare to aim at pig or two which
] had crossed their path. An irate farmer
| had made a heavy claim for damages,
and had lifted up his voice on the mat
ter in Butts Close for a good half hour.
To soothe him Mr. Curtice had made
| himself responsible for the sum de-
manded for on this condition only
would the injured one retire from the
scene.
| The rest of the evening passed mer-
! rily enough, for many OF the reVelers
| paid frequent visits to the Barley Now,
and returned greatly refreshed; they
impressed a fiddler and concertina
player into their service, and, breaking
in upon the legitimate dances OF the
evening, they set up a gay polka, the
national dance of the English peasant
in modern times. Soon the may-pole
!
racing found no more votaries; the
football was kicked back into the
churchyard whence it had started, and
| was left there in a ditch. all the lads
and lassies and many of the elder peo-
pie were footing it merrily OH the green
to the tune of Catching Fishes All
Alive" Even Harry Clifton and Elsie
were found by the disappointed parson
/ n nipo
son Percy had been sought out by Maid
Marian, and pressed into the ring. He
turned away sadly from the sight.
There was a young blacksmith in the
village, Jake Simmons by name, who
| by reason of his good looks and his
comparative wealth was person much
sought after by the maids of the place.
| He was also reputed to be gay de-
ceiver for he had raised hopes, which
| he had never fulfilled, in more than
| one breast He had walked" all the
| girls in the village in turn, but to none
| of them had he ever said those sweet
| definite words which all were longing
| to hear. This young man was one of
! the leaders in the frolic of the evening,
and had paid as many visits to the
Barley Now as any one of the revel-
| lers. By the light of bonfires and
torches he could still be discerned
| leading on to the polka when the other
dancers tagged, and generally comport-
ing himself with his usual liveliness. 1t
| hardly surprised Mr.. Curtice when one
| of the village maidens sought him out
as he stood aside watching the dancers,
and addressed him coyly on the sub
ject of Jake Simmons.
| please, sir, Mr.. Simmons told me to
say
Which Mr.. Simmons, Polly?"
Jake sir; he's asked me to marry
him, and we'l be very pleased if you'u
kindly put up the bans O. Sunday"
Very well, Polly. congratulate you,
| and / hope he will make you a good
husband"
| THANK you, sir,'' said Polly, and she
FASTENED back to the other merrymak-
ers.
Five minutes had not elapsed before
another girl-of brazen countenance
this one-found him and said:
Please, sir, to put up the banns for
Jake Simmons an me O. Sunday"
Nonsense, Rebecca, what are you
talking about? Where is Jake? 1 must
go and speak to him.
Please, sir, he don't want to see you;
he's shy or simmat, an won't come
He's playing a trick on you" said
the parson severely, for Rebecca was
no favorite of his, and he had small
sympathy with her; hes going to mar
ry Polly Sarney, SO go away, and don't
talk nonsense"
Please, SIR" said a gentle voice at
his elbow, might l speak to you a
minute?''
What" cried the much tried parson.
do you want your banns put up too?"
Yes, sir, if you please; it's Jake Sim
| mons
| Rebecca glared furiously at the new
conner, and rushed away to infict what
punishment she was able on the hard
ened sinner. Five other young wom-
en- sought out the disquieted parson and
made similar request of him, until at
length he fed home and hid himself
| in his study from all tormentors. 1t
| was long after midnight before the
| strident concertina and the uncertain
| fiddle hushed into silence, and the bon
| fires burned down, and the revelers
| dispersed. He stood at his open win
dow and told himself that at last the
| long day had come to an end, and that
so far as he was concerned no such
day should ever again break on his par
ish He heard the sound of kissing,
several times repeated, close to his
front gate, and heard the painters
voice
do you love me- Elsie darling, and
will you marry me in spite of my pow
erty?"
Eyes, Harry dear"
1--WE may have to starve in gar
ret; will you really make me the hap
piest man in the world in spite of it
all?''
away from the window There was
another young man, distinguished and
rich beyond description, who loved Ell
sic too. Had she chosen this poverty
stricken painter in place of the one
whom fortune had so richly lowered?
He went back to the window when the
voices ceased, and looked sorrowfully
out into the great dark The May
Day revels had brought unlooked-for
results.
Lettering footsteps came near, and
also halted at the gate
''Gie out, Mr. Percy" said a voice
with hushed coyness.
well, give me'a kiss Maid Marian"
"Why should I give zee a kiss?"
Because I'm going away tomorrow,
and / want something sweet to carry
with me@
The parson went out of his study,
and crept UP stairs in the gloom He
undreSSed himself softly so as not to