Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-12-29
THEIR WEDDING DAY.
BY A. NJ. CA NJ ERON.

his shaking arms were carrying so
proudly; tray from which there is
sued forth the all-pevading smell, ap-
petizing or si,kening as the case may
be, of-frieA fish.
shut your eyes tight, old girl just
for n few moments he cried out; and
still beaming from car to ear, Tim
brought forward little round table,
placed il near Mo!iy's chair, and softly
and quickly proceeded to lay It. Fish
potatoes. bread. butter. tea. milk.
Why, what morn could king or queen
desire? And all from the marvellous
possibilities of one bright shilling;
Then, diving into the mysterious
depths OF back pocket Timothy pro-
duced therelrom little bunch OF vio-
lets, crushed indeed and faded, but
sweet still. and bending softly over
Moll he gently fastened them on her
breast. Then seating himself opposite
to her he told her eagerly she might
look"
Her unans ctc,l surprise was rich re-
valid indeed.
ITS your cab, dear heart" he cried,
your cab, you couldn't use it and
riding horse TOO, could you? and here's
your horse oil Saddled and ready. It's
quite right and square. Mpll,' he
added, quickly, rs he caught slgnt VI
an expression Of doubt on her honest
face. Didn't the doctor say it was to
make the journey easier and won't 1t,
old girl. won't it? All, thought that
would settle it,
Whatever she may have felt, Molly
had not the heart to object any fur
ther, and so the wedding feast pro-
ceeded.
Tmothy picked out the daintiest
and most tempting mor2e!s he could
find. and for his SAX" she did her best
bravely, bit it was hard work, Every
tninY tasted 50 strangely today; even
that blessed cup Of tea seemed to have
lost the magic OF Its strengthening
and rcv!ving powers land at length.
all further effort impossible, she waved
OFF the last prnfrcred morsel and lying
back YEARLY, shook her head.
Eat it yourself. YOU don't cheat
fair, my mau; and, all, Tim" she
added sadly. you've forgotten some
thing after all, for that day you drank
our health in glass of beer"
Timothy expected this. and was not
to be taken unawares.
Beer he answered unblushingly,
"ah, yes, 10 be sure, SO did; and !
was jpst thinking ~ came along how
tast,s change. Why, there's some
thing almost unpleasant to me In the
very idea now: So today IL you please,
my laaa, w just drink your health in
tea"
Molly said nothing. Only for few
minutes the room seemed dim ana
misty. and life was very sweet.
And 30 ouce more that wedding
feast was kept.
A little later: just as the short sprint'
day was drawing to a close, the rev
pedestrians hurriedly vending their
homeward way across that quiet bit OF
the park, paused for a moment to gaze
at a somewhat unusual sight. 1t was
that of little old man, weak and tot
tering himself, but pushing bravely
and steadily on with eyes firmly fixed
on the still far distant gates, and car
rylng on his back, her thin arms
clasped about his neck, her hands firm
~ grasped in his, all old sick woman,
Molly, his wife.
Hearts are kind, and more than one
friendly Offer Of help had been made
to Timothy. but though grateful for the
Offers he had seemed almost impatient
nj the delay, and declining all assist
ance lad plodted quietly on again,
He could hardly have told how often
he had stopped TO rest since first that
strange Journey had been begun: Get.
tainly each time that the shelter OF
friendly seat had been gained, often OF
necessity when there had been no such
help at hand. Somehow he had fan
cied himself so much stronger than
had proved to be the case. for it sure
ly could nor be that Molly was heavier
than he mad imagined, and she so weak
ana iii!
AT first her cough had been terribly
bad and it had torn and hurt him so
to near it; but Of late 1t had seemed
to act better and at last it had ceased
aitogether. and very gratefully Tim
othy had thanked God for that. A few
moments ago they had stopped to rest
again for the last time and he had
Questioned ner tendcrly as to how she
did, Her face looked paler he thought,
but sne seemed easy and happy, and
she had smiled so sweetly at him as
she answered rather drowsily, Quite
comfortable, Timothy, only very
sleepy; good night, my man" and he
had kissed her lips tenderly and rever-
emily as lie always did, and then
cheerad and comforted had once more
pushed on.
An. there were the park gates al
most reached at last; and indeed 1t
riDly and his old knees threatened to
fail him altogether. He spoke encour-
agingly to her from time to time, but
she had evidently fallen asleep for she
did not answer him. 1t was better So.
he thought, for now she could not guess
how tired he was, and it would have
hurt and vexed her sorely had she
known it; his good old loving Mol!
Only few more weary steps and the
gates were really gained. Passing
through them on they went. these two
strange travellers, and the little band
of urchins in their wake noticed that
just before the great door Of the hospi-
tai came in sight the old man painted
more and more and his poor little
stock of strength seemed almost ex-
haustcd.
Yes, the labor of love was all but
over now: one more effort and the goal
was reached. Worn and weary, and
spent with fatigue, but still clasping
tight that precious burden, Timothy
stumbled up the last steep steps, and
az friendly arms drew him into the