Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-02-23
CHAPTER yvrv

7RA A1OlHiLE the WIFI vas
changing and the bells were pealing, and
rent clouds charged over the chill blue
field of the sky at such a pace that the
random CLEANS of sunshine cast between
them swept hill and dale with a bird
like speed The strong sunshine breast
ed the healthy hills and climbed them at
flash; the surly shadow crept in its
rear and the new bright racer leaped be-
hind the gloomy edges of the cloudy
shade. as if eager to annihilate it.
Shadrach, standing at the door of his
mothers cottage, clad in his Sunday best.
with a white favor in his coat, AMI his
hands enshrouded in monstrous gloves
of Berlin thread, fixed his new hat with
an air of resolution, as if prepared to
hold to it in any extremity of the winds
boisterous jollity
Il tex it." he said, turning to Hepzi-
bah, who stood behind in a summary cos
tune of white muslin and very triumph
of bonnet-'I tex it as kind of honor
as amt often done the likes of huz"
Il should think it," answered Hepzi-
bah
She spoke almost snappishly, being
engaged with hairpin and refractory
sloye-button, but she looked up second
later with frank and smiling face
Yes" said Shadrach's mother, hover
ing about Hepzibah and touching her
here and there with decided fingers. and
retiring with her head on one side to
observe the artistic effect of each stroke.
It's thing as you'd ought to remem-
bers TO your dyin' day, Shadrach. To
be tied by the same words--it's a noble
honor, Shadrach, and | hope as it be-
speaks well for your future"
"Ankore to that, | says, ma'amr' said
Hepzibah's mother, who was weak like
Shadrach, whilst Shadrach's mother was
jerkily decided, like Hepzibah "Hepzi-
BAH" she added solieitously, you're
lookin' bit goldfish already. You'll be
freze in that book muslin afore you
reach the church. You'd better have
shawl across your shoulders"
"Rubbidge" said Shadrach's mother.
''The wind'l keep EN- warm enough. It's
time we started. amt it, Shadrach?"
Shadrach, with difficulty unbuttoning
his coat, drew from an inner pocket
great turnip of q watch and consulted it
with pride.
Theirs good three-quarters yet"
he answered. Theirs no use in arriv-
ing before Everybody Ned and his good
lady'll be on the stroke o. time, | bet.
Nayther too soon nor yet too late, that's
Ned's method"
'Wt j, then, shut the door and sit
down." said his mother; "'and for good
ness mercy's sake let me button up your
coatl You'd leave all your finger tips
i the button holes"
'Theer's many curious things as comes
TO pass" said Hepzibah, seating herself
with slow, angular precision, and
spreading out the book muslin with care
full hands, las nobody nd liver dream on,
and this is one of EN-"
'Ahw returned Shadrach, mister
Ned's got the wish Of his heart at last,
and I'm gay and glad of it. Her held
him off and Gu = longish time, though
Her migft hu' got it over this time last
year, without seemin' anyhow uncom-
mon. I've no mind to speak i'll O. them
as is Departed"
"Departedr' repeated his mother. cut
ting him short with an air of disdain
Il wonder how you can use such word
about such creetur! A railer, as was
took by judgment! And you may say
what you like, Shadrach, | shall niver
tilillh II any Nlllu Dui u ara
flynn i the face o Providence as Mis-
ter Ned should ha' tried to fish him out
again. He was meant to be drowned,
an he was drowaed; and what's meant
TO be wool be, ih spite of all the Neds i
the world. And as for departed all l
got to say is, you might know better
than try to turn your own mothers stom-
ach ON your weddin' morning"
Il used the word" said Shadrach.
meekly, because l didn't wish to be too
hard upon him."
let him rest. poor creetur!'' put in
Hepzibah with unexpected gentleness.
He was fine figure of a man, but he'd
got a bit too rnuch of his Granddaughter
and feyther ia him. He had nothin' to
do with the maxim of either O. them,
so far as | lSuewd, and Them Above'n
know how far he was to be made to
answer"
THAT is undoubtedly the way to look
Mt it," returned the Bard, ''ondoubtedly
the way to look at it."
Thine we was off, Shadrach,'' said
Hepzibah.
They passed out at the door and over
the windy heath, the bridegroom sheep
shly arming the bride.
I'VE shall have run for it yet, de
,lare," cried Shadrach's mother. There's
the carriage a-drivin' to the church.
can see the white favour on the coach
mans bosom"
The wind-swept music of the bells
rolled round them, and as they reached
he gate, painting in indecorous haste,
Mary Hackett stepped from the carriage
md greeted them with a smile. The last |
ray of cloud was borne away by the
ooiSterous wind and the sky shone clear,
Is if for happy omen.
(rhe endi