The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-05-23

INC NoW ear. Meg, after Shak-
ing her father wide awake, went os
with her work of sewing little ribbons
upon her simple gown for her wedding.
so quietly happy, so blooming and so
youthful, so full Of promise did she
look that Toby uttered a cry as if he
mad seen an angel in his house. Then
he flew to clasp her in his arms. But
he caught his feet in the
which had fallen from his hands when
ne a gone to sleep, and somebody
came rushing in between them. 1t
was Richard, who cried out: No, not
even you. The first kiss Of Meg in the
New Year is mine. I have been wait
ing outside this hour to near the
chimes and claim it. Meg, my pre-
clous prize, my darling wife, a happy
New Year, a life of happy years." Then
R1char kissed her. He ought to have
done it first and made his speech af-
terWard, but according to Mr.. Dickens
he didn't,
You never in all your life saw any
thing like Trotty after that. He sat
down in his chair and beat this knees
ana cried; he sat down and beat his
knees and laughed; and then he
laughed and cried together. The truth
he was beside himself with joy to
find them only visions-visions hat
might become realities if all the pro-
fessional Friends and Fathers Of the
Poor were allowed full swing. And
tomorrow is your wedding day. pet
Don't you hear the chimes They
are ringing in the New Year-hear
them!' And they were ringing, bless
their sturdy hearts, they were ring
ing.
Here the child Lillian, who had been
in half dressed. why, here she is"
cried Trotty, catching her up in his
arms, there we are, and here we
CO." swinging her. Then Will Fern,
hearing the racket, came in, and
Trotty said: "Oh. Uncle Will, the
lodging you! Oh, Uncle Will, the obli-
cations you have laid me under by
becoming my guest" Trotty called
Fern "Uncle Will" because Lillian did,
and the obligations were that Trotty
had got in his nightmare a clear sight
pen to the poor and which seemed
not likely to happen-at least that
would seem to nave been his idea,
though in psychological and sociologi-
cal stories like The Chimes" certain
points will bear a vast deal Of interpre-
tatiOn.
Before Will Fern could make a re-
ply a band Of music burst int the
room. The neighbOrs, with music,
were abroad visiting their friends to
celebrate the. dawn of the New Year.
The man who played the drum and
who was a personal friend Of Trotty
stepped forward and aid "Trotty
Week, it has got abroad that your
daughter is to be married today. There
amt a soul who knows you don't
wish you we'll or that knows her and
don't wish her we'll. Or that knows
you both and don't wish you both all
the happiness the New Year can bring.
And here we are to play it in and
dance it m" This speech was received
with a shout. The gentleman who
played the drum had been taking a
drop maybe-but never mind that
What happiness it is" said Trotty
ito be so esteemed. How kind and
neighborly o all are! It's all along
Of my dear daughter and she deserves
it,"
a minute-Richard and Meg at the
top. The man who played the drum
was about to begin leathering away
with all his power when a combina.
ton of prodigiOus sounds outside was
heard and a good-humored, comely
woman Of some fifty years of age OF
Whereabouts came running in attended
by a man bearing a stone pitcher Of
terrific size. It's Mrs. Chicken.
stalker cried Toby n he was right
Married and never tell me, Meg
shouted the good m Il would
not rest after I heard Of it until
came to wish you joy. So here
am and, as it's New Years, I ha(
a little flip made and brought it with
me-" Mrs. Chickenstalker's idea o:
a little flip did honor to her character
The pitcher steamed and smoked ant
reeked like a volcano. And the mar
who carried 1T was faint. Mrs
!, Chickenstalker," said Trotty, this i
) William Fern and Lillian The
J worthy DAME, to Trotty's surprise
, turned very pale and then very red
Not Lillian Fern whose mother diet
in Dorsetshfre?" said she. VIII Fer
: answered Yes and going hastil.
= close up to her the two exchanged
/ some hurried words in an undertone
5 The upshot of it was that Mrs
: Chickenstalker took Will Fern by boil
hands, saIuted TrOtty on his cheek o