Year: 1878




ing at wedding, but the Major had hi:
reasons for indulging it, aud those mosl
deeply interested understood them per.
fectly. For the rest, there were looks
of astOnishment, secret nudgings, and
whisperings, but the real motive that
prompted the effort was not guessed,
even by the fussey step-dOwager, who
trod mercilessly upon the singers corns,
in a vain attempt to stop his mouth,
aud fidgeted from side to side, her face
scarlet, and her breathing painfully
audible, even above the sonorous jangle
of her liege lords struggle with nasal
melody.


"You have conquered, father" said
King, when the hoarse, rasping soug
had ceased, "and wouldn't laugh if
could. Shall We not, henceforth and
forever, be friends, even as the Lord has
made US relatives ?"


The Major, hard as he was, or, rather,
hard as he once had been, for feminine
dominion had much subdued his old
time rigidity, bowed his head, shook
the hands of his children heartily, and
blessed them in q patriarehal way that
caused half of the assembled group to
weep, though none knew why.


81 can't stand this ~ said Colonel
Marblehead. 'Tve made this reception
on purpose to enable everybody to be
jolly. Now arrange everything and
everybody for grand flank movement
on the dining-rOom, aud let's have no
nonsense. I carried billet douE for this
bride and groom when 1 was a small
boy in patched trOwsers and uncertain
suspenders. Their wedding ceremony
has been long in coming, but its over
now, and We'll wish 'em joy of it, sing
ing or no singing"


II want to kiss papa :" said Allie,
advancing timidly to where the newly
married couple stood.


The bridegroom stopped and raised
the child in his arms, while a murmur
Of wonder and admiration ran through
the crowded circle.


"How much the child resembles himp
said one


"HOw strange ~ exclaimed another.


By a peculiar and sudden sentiment
felt in the assembly, such instant silence
reigned that these words reached the
newly-appointed papa's ear.


Holding the child aloft, while her
golden hair fell in heavy riprles to her
waist, and her blue eyes swan with un-
shed tears, he said, raising his voice
till all could hear distinctly:


''You marvel that this child resem-
bles me. But did you comprehend the
subtle laws Of God Almighty you would
know that what God has Joined to-
gether man cannot put asuuder. In
spirit my wife and have been one
since the days when Major Marblehead
refused to let US meet in body, though
he could not hinder our spiritual union.
We have been one in spirit ever since
the days Of long ago when Colonel Mar
blehead carried billet dour for US. And
though a cruel fate separated US in the
body, it could not and did not prevent a
soul communion that even death would
fail to sever. This child, Thomas Jones'
though it be, resembles me, and I am
proud to know it, for it ought TO have
been mine, even as Mrs. Greensborough
ought to have been through all these
bygone years my wife.


"But the past is all behind us, and
henceforth we have but to live for the
present aud the future. Did humanity
understand the subtle laws that govern
mind and matter, many hideOus ulcer,
now hidden under the cloak OF human
respectability, would be exposed to the
cauterizing iron of common sense, and
thus allow the victim of false surround
ings to be morally healed.


1--WE submitted to arbitrary law from
legal necessity. We kept the letter Of
the law as IN honor bound, but the
spirit of the higher law was with US,
and we could not disobey it, though
continents divided us. In my soul
pity every spirit in bondage, and /
sometimes think the Scriptural allusion
to spirits in prison must mean those
who are chatting under badly-fitting
conjugal yokes, praying secretly for
death, or some other form of dissolution,
to free them from bondage that is alike
destructive to eonjugal happiness, har-
mOnious childhood, and successful hu-
manity.


''You may think this no fitting place
for the expression of thoughts like
these, but they have been inspired by
your mental comments, and l had nc
choice but to give them utterance.


81 will be father to these childreni
and that we may grow together, har-
mOnious family, prOiting by the wrong.
of the past, and teaching others, through
our own misfortunes, to steer clear o
the breakers that well nigh dashed oul
bark of life to atoms, is my earnes
prayer"


"What contemplate conduct at :
wedding! Its horribly absurd ~ sal,
Mrs. Marblehesd, mere, nudging he
husband, who was listening with eve
and mouth alike agape.


The Major was half deaf, and sh
spoke louder than she had intended.


The bridegroom paused as if to listen
aud all eyes were turned toward tn
new speaker.