Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-09-05
PAUL ANDP0L

Pauline and Polly Peters, enterprising
twins, aged {, had just seen a wedding
for the first time in their short lives and
were engaged in reproducing the event TO
the best Of their remembrance.
Pauline, with preternaturally solemn
air, held last years almanc in her hand
and figured as the officiating clergyman,
while Polly, with a piece OF mosquito
netting over her head and a bouquet of
bachelors buttons in her hand, was the
bride.
The most impressive part Of the cere-
mony, to their minds, was the departing
couple, and the inSurmOuntable difficulty
Of introducing this feature into their
reproduction caused them much distress
A bride, Polly complained, couldn't
we'll throw rice at herself, and as Pauline
thought it needed hack or some kind
Of a conveyance to make the thing COM
plete, it was at last reluctantly decided to
omit this most interesting part of the
marriage.
The wedding procession, conspicuous
for trifing oversight in the matter of
a bridegroom, was on the point of start
ing down the barn, where the event was
taking place, when a young man drove
into the yard, and, hitching his horse,
rang the bell to inquire for the twins
groWn-up sister.
For a minute the children gazed at each
other as the door opened to receive them,
then a brilliant idea struck them stimuli
taneously. Off came Polly's veil and
down went Pollys book.
That's Charley Bingham come to take
sister for a ride gasped Polly, dancing
up and down in delight.
Il know it, said Pauline, excitedly,
''and we haven't a minute to lose You
run right up to the house and get all the
rice you can, and I'll borrow some of the
neighbors.''
"Oh, Mrs Herrick," she painted breath
lessly a few minutes later, as she rushed
into the ladys door, won't you please
let me have some rice?'
''Why, child, what do you want Of rice?
You are not having wedding at home,
are your
Eyes. ma am. and please hurry or it
will be too late.
But who is it for?'
For sister Sue" shouted Pauline,
who was in too much Of a hurry to stop
for elaborate explanations, and raced
back to meet Polly, who had the good
luck to find a bag of the stuff which
the grocer had left on the kitchen table.
well, haven't they kept that pretty
quiet?' inquired Mrs. Herrick of her
caller, Mrs. Smith, as she picked up her
knitting, and both ladies drew their
chairs to the windows on the side next
to the Peters house to watch the course
of events more closely.
''There goes Parson Hildreth," ex-
claimed Mrs. Smith, and sure enough
that reverend gentleman was seen COM
ing down the steps next door, having
made a call upon the twins father
Il thought that would be a match
some time, but what are those children
doing noW!
Pauline and Polly, in their stocking
feet were tying their white hair-ribbons
to the horses foretops, and two pairs of
small shoes were seen dangling under
the carriage. They had barely finished
tying the last knot and skipped into the
barn after their bags of rice when Mr.
Bingham came out to get his team. He
was desperately shy young man and
not especially observing. Being slightly
agitated, too it is doubtful whether he
would have noticed had his horse turned
into a prancing zebra during his absence
and it is not strange that the ribbons
and other decorations failed to attract
his attention.
Pretty Miss Susie Peters next appeared
to take her place in the carriage, and
Bingham had just gathered up the reins
preparatory to q start when a clOudburst
of rice enyeloped him, the carriage, the
horse and a good share of the people on
the street
The horse, a nervous animal, started
with a jump, and further irritated by
the futtering ribbons before his eyes,
swept down the street at runaway
under the carriage for some distance,
fee of the Snowville Clipper, and Editor
Dodge. who had a lively realization OF
the fact that eternal vigilance is the price