The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1913-02-14
heads swung IN that d.rection-an

Nat Hammond and Keziah Coffin. Nat
was smiling and self-possessed. Nev-
| er before in his life had he entered
| the Regular meeting house as
| Worshiper, but he seemed to be bear
| ing the ordeal bravely. 1t was Grace's
| first visit to the church, also, and she
was plainly embarrassed. To be stared
at by eighty-odd pairs of eyes, and tc
catch whispered comments from the
starers' tongues. is likely to embar-
rass one.
Yet the comments were all friendly.
Il declare!' whispered Mrs. Prince,
| II never see her look so pretty afore.
l knew she was the best lookin' girl
in this town, but never realized she
was such a beauty Well, there's
one thing sartin'-we'ye got the hand
soonest parson and parsons wife in
this county, by about ten mile and
four rows Of apple trees. And there's
the other bride that's goin' to be. l
never see Keziah look SO well -nei-
| Their"
The minister went UP the stairs to
the pulpit. He was still white and
thin, but his eyes were bright and his
voice clear He gave the opening
hymn and the service began.
They said it was the finest sermon
ever preached IN that church, and per-
! haps it WAS. When it was over be-
fore the benediction was pronounced,
! Ellery stepped out from behind the
pulpit to the edge of the platform. He
| looked over the friendly faces up
| turned to his and, for an instant, it
| seemed that he could not trust him
self to speak.
MY friends" he said, II cannot let
you go without personal word. l
! owe you SO much, all Of you, that moth
| ing l can say will convey to you my
| feeling of gratitude and love for this
congregation and this church. You
have stood by me all through. You
| trusted me and believed In me. l
| came to Trumet stranger. | have
| found here the truest friends a man
| could hope to find-yes, and more
| than friends. If [ live and while |
live, shall hope to prove by the best
effort that is in me my realization of
| the great debt I owe you and my de-
sire to repay it, even though the pay
ment must, Of necessity, be so made
quate. God bless you all-and thank
you"
There was much hand shaking and
congratulation and the church emp
tied slowly Among the last to leave
were the Peppers and Mr. Pratt.
Lavinia took the minister aside.
Mr.. Ellery," she simpered, I've
that is, Caleb and me--will prob'ly
want you to That IS, we want you to
be the one"
Yes, Miss Pepper"
ooh, my sakes, you see 'Bishy
| dear, come here minute, won't you?"
Ryan approached-the picture Of
desolation.
What do you want?" he asked gruf-
fly.
Heavens to Betsy Don't look so
sour. A body'd think you was goin
to be hung, to look at you. 'Bishy, you
tell Mr. Ellery all about it, there's
dear. He'll tell you, Mr.. Ellery; and
y
me nor Caleb won't have nobody else
She seized Mr.. Pratt by the arm
and led him hastily away. Ryan
looked after them.
"Hung?" he muttered. Il wish, by
godfreys mighty, I had the hangin of
some folksi I'd put a tighter collar
on 'em than they've got now. bet
you!"
The minister's lips twitched He
knew what was coming. Hints of a
surprising nature had been circulating
about Trumet.
whats the matter, Mr. Pepper?-
he asked.
Matter? Matter enoughi You know
what she's goin' to do? She's goin'
to marry that!'
The last word was emphasized by
a furious gesticulation toward the
back of the gentleman from Sandwich.
who? Mr.. Pratt? Is your sister
to marry him? Indeed. | congratu-
late them both-and you. l suppose
Mr.. Pratt will take his bride home
to Sandwich, and you, being here
alone, will be more free"
"Free?" Ryan repeated the word
wratbfully. Free, I'll be about as
free as settin' hen under a barrel,
| will. Is Teller free when he's got
two pickin' at him instead of one? l
thought I was goin' to have 9 little
peace and comfort; | thought that
same as you, Mr. Ellery. I've had my
suspicious as to her and him for some
time That day when l carlated I'd
locked her up and come back to find
she's gone buggy ridin', l thought
twas queer When she went to con-
ference and left me alone | smelt a
rat When she took to letter writin'
the smell got stronger; until the last
few weeks I've been sartin of the
game she was up to. When Layiny
come to me and told me what she was
goin' to do, was l obstinate? Did
stand on my rights as head Of the
family and tell her she couldn't do
it? No, stree, I didn't | was re-
signed. Bless you, Laviny,' says I.
When you goin' to go away% And
what do you s'pose she says to me?
Why, that she want goin' away at all
Tnat-that Pratt thing has sold out
his shoe store UP to Sandwich and is
comm here 60 live. Comm to live