Page:Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, Volume 2.djvu/67

Rh Great was the excitement as the natives gathered about the carriage with offers of help, murmurs of sympathy, and unseemly mirth on the part of the boys. Jules did the swearing; and never were heard such big oaths as fell from the lips of this irate little man. It really seemed as if he would explode with wrath. He clashed the impressive cocked hat upon the stones, laid his hand upon his sword, tore his hair, and clutched his mustache in paroxysms of despair.

His bride was gone, waiting in agitated suspense for him. No other coach could be had, as the resources of the town had been exhausted. The harness was in a desperate state, the men at their wit's end how to mend it, and time flying fast. Maire and priest were waiting, the whole effect of the wedding was being ruined by this delay, and "ten thousand devils" seemed to possess the awkward coachman.

During the flurry, Papa Clomadoc appeared to slumber tranquilly in the recesses of the carriage. Mamma endeavored to soothe her boy with cries of "Tranquillize yourself, my cherished son. It is nothing." "Come, then, and reassure papa." " Rh