Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-11-16
Her Wedding
~ Journey
By RICHARD BARKER SHELTON.


which thronged the fair grounds. tn
final heat of the last horse race had beer
trotted. and the perspiring spectators
who had been packed four deep abou
the track, turned their steps towards TN
center of the grounds. where the silkeT
mesh Of a big balloon was filling ou
symmetrically over a hickory mrs
which cracked in hastily-dug pit
The event of the day was scheduled
for five O'Clock, and the patrons OF the
fair we're evidently of no mind TO miss
any part OF it. Blue ribbon Holsteins
high-bred Jerseys. focks OF woolly
Southdowns and pens Of grunting York
shire hogs of enormous girth, were
alike forgotten The tent containing the
benches OF prize vegetables was de-
serted shrine. Even the fakirs, ranged
along the high board fence; the African
dodgers. the gentlemen who ran wheels
or fortune" and the nimble-flngered
custodians OF the countless games OF
chance, experienced fiat falling off Of
business and were left temporarily to
their own devices; TO rest their over
worked vocal chords and count up large
wads of greenbaeks.
The crowd to the last tired urchin.
swarmed about the filling balloon and
eagerly watched every detail Of the prep
aration. Necks were craned and neigh
bors were jostled in the universal anx-
lefty TO miss no bit of ii.
From a fiat, shapeless mass that lay
inert on the ground there gradually rose
a glistening dome OF shimmering silk,
enmeshed in a spider-like web of ropes.
The dome grew and rounded steadily
II became a huge ball; its silken bag
was stretched smooth and taut with
much rustling and many smothered ex-
carnations from the onlookers II
trembled and strained like thing alive
and at last It floated upwards and pulled
and tugged at its moorings while the
wicker car was adjusted beneath it.
Meanwhile, in a stuffy little room
back of the managers Office, near the en-.
trance gate, a heavy built young man
stalked nervously up and down. mopped
his red face. and now and again pulled
out an ancient silver watch and anxious
ly marked the approach of five His
white tie, his patent leather shoes, his
long. black cutaway coat with the white
chrysanthemum in the buttonhole and
his tan gloves of an obvious newness,
all proclaimed the approach of an epoch
in his life.
Near the one little window in the room
sat plump, pleasant-faeed young wom-
an. In one hand she held an ample boz
quet of white pinks; the other hand
restlessly smoothed the folds of her
white muslin gown. Now and then, as
she glanced up and caught the young
mans eye she gave him a quick smile
Of perfect confidence.
The young man paused before her
and took one of her white gloved hands
in his own.
you don't feel seairt, do you, Nellie?"
he asked, in grave concern.
Not a mite she replied, cheerfully.
He leaned over her and looked out the
little window, He saw the balloon
swaying in the breeze and the sea Of up
turned faces watching it.
II sorter wish we warn't goin' to do It
on your account, Nellie" he said.
Look a-here, jim" she said. gayly.
you needn't feel uneasy on my account.
I'd rather marry you hangin head down
from trapeze than to go on the way |
was, workin' there at the Jones We
couldn't get married for years if this
chance hadn't come along. an call il
fyin in the face Of Providence to talk
about not wantin' to go now. every
things all fixed
There's an awful crowd out there.
said he.
Pooh! Who's afraid of crowd?"
she shifted Il amt"
He looked at her with admiration
plainly stamped on his face. His big
hand pressed hers tenderly.
Well, 'twon't take long" he said. as
If bolstering up waning courage. "Itn
all be over in a jlffy."
She picked a thread OFF his coat and
absently wound it about her finger.
Il should sorter like TO gone up to
Cousin Sereny's after twas all over"
she said, little wistfully "She bein'
about the only Twin relation / got. I'd |
liked TO gone up there and told her ali /
about It.
"P'raps We can 20. Nellie" he began. |
but she cut him short.
No, We can't Jim. Il would cost a |
lot for two of US to go up there. an Wen
need all the 500 We git out Of this 10 |
start in with in the spring Besides. 1 |
don't know just where tbs that Cousin |
Sereny lives. All know Is that it's
somewheres In Ridgeway county. Wen
walt 'uIl after we've got started in on
the farm But 'twould have made a
beautiful weddin trip. wouIdntit Jimaa
she ended, a triie regreuully.
4 wish We could 20, for your sake
he said.
oh. faint no great matter. ANYWAY =
she declared, easily. we ouqht - l.,