Page:Peterson Magazine 1869B.pdf/208

 MRS.

MARCH'S

BOARDERS ,

191

"Land of pity !" says I, hiding my face in my I was late. I started upon the run, stepped apron, and getting that dough all over it-" how onto my gound, and fell flat, rite into a mudyou do talk !" puddle, and spattered myself from top to toe. I know it's a little sudden," says he, squezBut I jumped up immegiately, and made for ing my hand so that the pinch-beck ring, that I the depot, I seed a man standing on the platwear on my forefinger to keep off the rhumatiz, form. I waved my handkercher to him, and cut rite into the flesh, " I know it's sudden, and screamed at the top of my voice, "Stop ' em ! Don't let ' em went on without I beg your pardon for speaking of it. But I must confide my trouble to some feeling heart- { me !" and to whom shall I speak unless to you, my "They've already went!" says the man- and, dear Mrs. March?" shure enough, so they had ! I asked the man— " Sarting!" says I. "I'm the very one. Talk who got in ? And he said a man and womanand described Mr. Cliffe exactly. rite along, and tell me everything." "I'm unfortunate," says he. "I cannot be "Look here !" says I. " Hain't there no way married without losing a fortune, unless I am that I can git to Stickneyville without waiting married privately. My grandfather is very for the next train ?" wealthy, and has made a will in my favor ; but He scratched his head to scratch up an idee, if I marry in his lifetime I forfeit all the pro- and said, he and another man there would kerry me down on a hand-car for a dollar. I perty. He is opposed to matrimony." told them the money was ready for him the " The old hunks !" says I, indignantly. "Yes," says he, "so he is, though I must not mianit I was landed at Stickneyville- and we say so ; and, Mrs. March, what I want is, that sot forth rite off. "Turn like all possessed !" says I. " It's you will consent to a private marriage, and allow me to remain here afterward with my necessary for me to git there as soon as I can !"' wife ;" and he laughed, and blushed, and looked And they turned . I guess they fairly airned their dollar. as silly as could be. "Lawful heart !" says I ; "of course I conI paid ' em as soon as we arriv, and hurried sent. Tain't nobody's business, no way. When to Suire Moss' at the top of my speed. There is it to be ?" was a light in the parlor, and I rushed in with"Next Saturday night, if it pleases you. I out knocking. And, gracious deliverance ! I wonder I hadn't have already spoken to Squire Moss about it, and he has consented. We shall go down to his swoonded rite on the spot, for jest as true as house in the six o'clock train, be united, and { you live, there stood Cliffe and the widder return at eight to your house. You'll not fail Westly hold of hands, and the squire was jest a to be at the depot?" saying, "I pronounce you man and wife !" "No, indeed !" says I, "you can depend on I grabbed Cliffe's arm, and brought him round me!" and then he kissed my hand jest as they do in novels, and never seemed to notice the facing of me in a seckont. dough that was still sticking to it. "Land of Goshen ! " says I. "What does this I was as happy as can be ; and I made up my mean?" mind that I'd deed the six-acre field to Mr. "She's mine !" says he. " Nobody can sepa-. Cliffe the minnit we was married. That would rate us now !" and he fell to kissing the widder.. show him how much confidence I had in him. "You're a false, desateful man !" says I;: I should have somebody now to esquart me "and I'm a good mind to have you arrested for home from evening meetings, and to go to the begotry and breeches of promise ! You prosowing-circle with me Thursday nights. It was mised to marry me ; and here I've been to the dreadful nice to think of; and I didn't go to expense of gitting a new gound " sleep till nigh midnight that night for thinking "My dear Mrs. March !" says he ; "what a. of it ; and when I did get asleep, I dreamed of mistake ! I have been engaged to Myra evera funeral, which is a sarting sign of a wedding. since her husband died, and we came to your · I went and had a buff delaine gound made house to be together. And we hope still to. for the occasion, and Sotterday night, at half remain. " past five, I sot sail for the depot. It seemed "Well, you won't," says I, "not by two that Mr. Cliffe didn't want to excite no sus- chalks ! I won't keep such a man in my house !: picions by our going to the depot together. Jest You'll tramp to-morrer, both of ye ! Oh, dear ! as I turned into the road that led to the depot dear ! what shall I do ! If this should get out, them consarned cars whistled in, and I knowed how folks would talk ! What shall I do ?" VOL. LVI --13