The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1913-10-23

tnonOtUnuueil Oh ulf celios sits koW
Ell. feeling somewhat lonely. lighted
All the lamps In the house as was her
custom when depressed IN mind for
naturally she was soclable soul. and
once more she stitched at the white
lacy material such as brides wear"
Leander Petty's furniture wagon and
stout sorrel horse bore the members
Of the callithumpian band around the
square Of business houses and up
Locust street TO the Widow Rowelfs
long white house During its progress
around the square the baud had blared
dlscor,lantly, as was It's wont. glorying
In is own horrible medley Of sound.
Somebody's been getting married,
said one and another as the wagon
passed. and, curiosity being rife. IA long
procession attached itself TO the wagon.
When the wagon paused outside the
gate Of Mrs Rowel's brilliantly light.
cd abode there was a murmnr of sur
prise mingled with stlhed laughter.
Many girls aud women HAD Joined the
procession. walking quietly IN the shad-
ows and finally nausing on the opposite
side Of the street
For few moments there was tense
silence ms the members OF the serenad'
ing band conferred together
Ruby Allen. standing with Rachel
Terry, glgglcd neryously.
Here comes Mrs Beyls,' she whis-
pered.
shes been up to her mothers. ]
declare. believe she came around
this way on purpose 50 she could see
what was going on, Don't let her see
your They shrank back against the
high stone wall
II wonder II Mrs. Rowel will invite
'em IN for refreshments said Ruby
'lt's the right thing TO do, Say, Ruby
her name must be Mrs Slime by this
time She's had more than her share
Of husbands. How many
"Thls n the fourth. believe. Listen
10 the music. What are they playiRgT
BY some fantasy OF circumstance
Ananias Slime. saving away at his
cello. suddenly made an attempt to
play the wedding march from "Lohen-
grin
Il believe it's happening this very
minuter" Kissed woman IN the crowd
A silence fell upon the people ont
side Almost they fancied they could
hear the drone OF the preachers voice.
The sound ceased the music ceased.
all at once.
"Now. altogether shouted Lem
Roberts leaders Of the callithumpians
and then bedlam broke loose In Locust
street The horse iddles rasped and
doomed and the broken wlnded In
strnments wheezed and walled and
shrieked. and tin horns footed. and
drums beat. all IN horrible discordance.
Suddenly the front door few open
and a figure was framed against the
brightly lighted background Of the
front hell.
II was the Widow Rowell IN custom
AIRY dress OF black cashmere. wearing
mn ample white apron Her spectacles
were pushed up on top % her smooth
gray hair
.Who they callithumplB'?' she called
In tone OF intense curiosity
Your shouted somebody.
"Mey screamed Mrs Rowell incred-
ulously, what foryf
For getting married 10 Ananias
Slime. was the reply. followed by .
ripple Of laughter
oh" said Mrs. Rowell In queer
voice, TIN much Obliged. I'm sure,
Won't You come In and have some
wedding cake and refreshments
A hearty cheer went ~ from The
band aud instruments were dropped
rs one by one the calithumpians went
into the house When the door had
closed behind the last one the curious
crowd fingered. the boldest spirits
mounting The piazza steps and peering
under the partly drawn shades into
the house.
The calllthumpian band was surpris-
ed Of what met their concerted gaze.
The parlor and adjoining sitting room
were gulitless OF any festive mir. Scru
pulousiy neat and clean they were. and
the lamps were shining brightly. The
widows low sewing chair was drawn
civse 10 The table. and on the door
were pillows II siarched white mate
fial. In her workbasket. topped by
large tomato. plnrnshion. were bits
Of laee aud tllmy net
u guess we got here too soon. nut
tered LEM Roberts awkwardiy AZ Mrs.
Roweil pun away thlmbie aud scissors
with basi1essliee air ''but they said
yea had the wedding well bought
II certainly looks Ike II. snapped
the widow. with sudden aelilty. AS she
tnnsei and faced The scfenaders "its
wonder lsopr widow wosnnn can't
buy few yards ~ net 10 mend her
parlor lace curtains without that busy.
body, En- Bexis. putting q wrong view
h IL Seems IKE weddings must be in
her mind Yoa better 80 and ealll-
thamp In front o. Em Beyis' holIse.
She'd te pleased 10 death 10 have you
The members D; The band stood
awkwarily IN The doorwags watching
the widow as She shook cat the neafiy
n~Bds-i curtains She glanced up
sharply. sud . twinkle came into her
cray agale eyes.
80 bags you're A~rs, boys, sou