The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-25
CONTINUED from Yestcrday.)

"IIowsoovcr. with 30 many OF tho
.nciglibors holding her forsakcn wo-
man 1t made her keep herself to licr-
self, SO that at first only few OF
the chapel folk were really Intimate
with her She was quiet body,
seemed always too busy for much
chatter, comcly, and very plain dro,sed /;
she was ono OF the few who spoke up
kindly for Kate when folks were all
talking gen her and her cousin; and
though some there were who took Of
Tense at her quiet ways, mono could
charge her with anything worse.
Johns Kindness for her Just grew
slowly, as II he wanted to test her
well before he made up his mind; and
It wasn't till three summers after
KaAe's death, that he put tho ques-
ton.
"some said she snapped at him:
others that he had his work set to
persuade her; but all know Is that
O grand new tomb was set up in the
churchyard to the memory of Joseph
Bold, and that the next wo heard was
how John had given the stone and
was going to marry the widow.
sNs
ut seems queer when you come TO
look at 1t, sir. that his first gift should
ha' been headstone, and many took
it as an ill-omen. They were mar
ried Just after harvest. Rachel sold
the shop and took to being a farmers
Wife instead. John couldn't have
picked n better II he'd tried tho world
over. She was one OF that handy sort,
who seem able to take to anything,
and, though I'll be bound, she'd never
mado up roll of butter before in her
life, hers was soon as good as any In
the market. Then her ways were so
saving, and she was always so cheer
ful, the old man quite changed with
her, and seemed that happy and con-
tent think IL they'd asked him, he
could almost ha' forgiven Kate,
$50 time went on, and I was mar
ried woman WI BARNS. when the
last trouble came. 1t was again the
harvest time, an John an Rachel had
been wed just four years.
II mind me well of the harvest home
they gave. partly as old John said
In his bit OF speech Mt supper. in &C.
membrance OF our MARRIAGE
eve were all there. father and
mother, Uncle Jonathan, an Bin and +.
and never have / seen anyone look as
happy as Rachel did that night. Ny
father by way OF Joke tellt John
he'd sampled women well. however,
'Ay.' says John. laying his great
hand on Rachefs, AN this be the best
of ALL
Everyone cheered at that. and
father set 'em drinking her health.
whilst Rachel looked at us all in her
mild. kind way and tried to tell US,
Friends. It's the Lords doing
A Judgment will come upon that
old man. said mother as we walked
home. and It's seldom 1 heard her
speak so sharp.
"syyhat In the world for?' SEE my
father, who was feeling too conten,
to think of Judgments.
".Why.' says my mother, WI scorn
and anger in her voice. didn't you en-
courage him? Praising up that woman
and forgettin' all about the other four.
and better wife than his first n
man couldn't have
That may be- says father. but he
mustn't be talking O. them that's dead
and gone under the very nose of tho
living. a man must cleaye to his wife,
Mary
"'An' weren't them others his wives
Just as much as this one. and poor Kate
as much as any OF them? And guess
he never gives her thought, poor
lass!.
My father was quiet. He an my
mother never did agree II they got
talkin of Kate. But mother went on,
all the way home, talking of Rachel
and how she couldn't abide her quiet,
superior ways. and pious talk. 1t was
the way of some to talk against Rachel
like that. but afterwards they all
turned and none was more penitent
for their hard sayings than my mother
well, things went on much as usual
till November. 1t was nasty wet
month, with white mists. Mother WAS