2
ljc hms, Kcu) SBIomnftdti, )a.
A Disappointed Bridegroom;
'ri"MIEnE ain't any use o' talkln', I
JL hev sod ye should marry John
Fairbanks, and ye shall, if there's a power
in this 'ere world to make ye." And old
Farmor Wilkes laid clown his gleaming
scytho, which be had been using vigor
ously all the forenoon, and removing his
broad-brimmed straw bat from bis gray
bead, be proceeded to wipe the sweat
from off his sun-browned forehead, as
coolly as if he bad not, a moment before,
by bis cold and cruel words, caused the
heart of bis pretty daughter Nellio to
sink like lead in her bosom, and a half
resolve to spring up within her, to leave
her borne, the home of her childhood, and
go away, anywhere, rather than marry a
man whom every feeling of her sensitive
nature shrank from with a feeling of utter
loathing.
She sank slowly to the ground, and,
burying her face in her hands, sho hurst
into a passionate Hood of tears, while
her father, with a scornful "umph," turn
ed on bis heel and strode towards the farm
bouse standing in the distance.
And now for an explanation of our
story.
When Nellie Wilkes was two years of
age bcr gentle mother died, leaving her
petted child to the care of ber daughter
Emma, who was at that time only 15 yoars
of age. The death of Sirs. Wilkes was
sudden and unexpected, being caused by
heart disease. To all appearance as well
as usual in tiie morning, at night she lay a
corpse. Stricken by bis great grief, Ebon
Wilkes changed from the kind father to a
cold, calculating man of tho world, and in
about three years he married au old maid,
who at once proceeded to make bis home
a perfect torment to his three children,
Emma, Alfred and Nellie, so that when
Emma's father told her that he bad se
lected a husband for her, sho quickly
acquiesced, aud immediately married.
Luckily for her, her busbaud proved
good and kind, and in time she learned to
love him.
His second wife had born to Eben Wilk
es one child, a boy, who was, at tho time
our story opens, about 13 years old. Burt
Wilkes, strange as it may seem, was a
laughing, ruugish, but withal a loving,
tender-hearted boy. He seemed to worship
Nellio, and bis affection was warmly re
turned. Time passed on. When the war of the
rebellion broke out, Alfred Wilkes was
among the (Irs t to enlist, much to the an
ger of bis father, who wanted his work on
the farm. He was also among the first to
fall. His sister mourned bitterly for him,
but the only remark the old farmer was
ever heaid to make was, " It served him
right. He bad no business to havo gone."
While Nellie's grief, caused by the death
of ber brothor, was at its height, she ac
cidentally became acquainted with a young
man , named Theodore Burton, and there
sprung up between them a friendship
which soon ripened into love. Young
Burton was stopping at the village of
C , five miles distant from Nellie's
home, and his visits were very frequent,
notwithstanding the coldness and evident
dislike of the old farmer toward him. At
length he ventured to ask for the hand of
the gentle Nellio, and was, as he feared
peremptorily refused, and forbidden ever
to enter the bouse again. But the young
and ardent couple mot very often after
this, although su cautious were they in
their meetings that they were unknown
and unsuspected by any one except the
fun-loving Burt.
At length, after having used every ar
gument in his powor, but in vain, to per
suade Nellie to elope with him, Burton
was staitled by another call fur men,
and he met her for tho last time for the
present, pel Imps forever, in the grove at
the foot of a long hill at the back of the
old farmhouse.
Poor Nellie ! Wbeu she heard that her
lover was about to leave her for the perils
of the terrible war, she stood gazing at him
with wild agony depicted on bcr pale face,
and for a time, with tears rolling down her
cheeks, besought him not to go ; but a
natural patriotic heart prevailed, and at
length she bade bim adieu with an almost
cheerful voice, and returned to ber duties
with the consciousness that she bad done
aright.
Time lied. They could not exchange
letters, for of course they would have been
intercepted, and a year pasted ere she
beard a word of ber absent soldier.
At length, in an old paper, which was
accidentally left at the farm-house, she
learned that he bad been promoted to the
rank of colonel as a reward for bis bravery.
A few weeks afterward, Nellie received an
invitation to visit ber sister. Much to ber
delight, bcr father gave bis consent, and
she departed for ber sister's quiet borne
with a lighter heart than she bad known
for months. But, alas 1 soon came the
news of a terrible battle, and among the
list of missing soldier she read the name
' of Colonel Theodora Burton.
A violent brain fever followed, and when
he arose from ber bed of sickness she was
changed indeed. Never was a smile seen
on her lovely face, and when ber father
came to carry ber home, she bade her sis
ter good-bye, and returned to the old
drudging life without a murmur, but with
an Inward prayer that she might die. But
her trials were not yet ended. About a
week preceding the time our story opens,
sho was summoned to the kitchen, where
sat her father, with his usual forbidding
countenance, and ber step-mother, with a
triumphant look on her ugly features,
which told Nellio that something unusual
was about to transpire. .
"Wall, Noll," said her father, ' nt last,
" I have found a man that will be just tho
one for you. Ho is rich, owns a good farm
and lots of cattlo ;" and here the old man
peered at Nollio through his old spectacles
whilo the newspaper which lay in bis lap,
slid to the floor.
"Yes," joined In Mrs. Wilkes, "he is
a real good man ; you could not do bet
ter ;" and with the last word proceeded to
take a pinch of snuff, as if to enforce hor
remark.
Nollio stood as palo as death, glancing
from one to the other. At length she said,
" Father, do not uigo mo to many at
present. I am young yet, and I do not
wish to marry for many yoars toVomo, and
besides mother needs my help about tho
house."
The old man burst into a hearty laugh.
"Ah! I see," said he ; " You can't pull
the wool over my eyes just yet. I want yo
to marry John Fairbanks, and I mean ye
shall, so no more words about it. If ye
aro so willing to help yer mother, ye can
go about it as soon as yo please. I don't
want to hear anything about that Theodore
Burton. He is dead, I hope, and it is just
aB well, for you should never have married
bim if be had lived. In just threo weeks
ye shall be the wife of John Fairbanks.
Now go. Not a word" as sho was about
to speak" we have said all that is nec
essary on the subject. So go about your
work."
Poor Nollio !" She wept herself to
sleep that night, and for many nights suc
ceeding. But the subject bad not been re
newed until tho day our story opens, and
the reader already knows what had been
its termination.
As Nollio sat, weeping bitterly, among
tho new-mown hay, she suddenly heard a
step beside her, and in a moment nn arm
was thrown around her neck, aud a tender
voice Burt's voice said, " Dear sister,
what troubles you ? Tell me, that I may
help you ; surely, you used to trust mo."
Nellie drew closer to his sido, and said,
iu a voice broken by bcr sobs, " It is im
possible for you to help me, brother ; but,
nevertheless, I will tell you." And in a
few words she explained all.
Burt was silent for several moments.
At length bo said, "Come, Nellie, dry
your tears and come in to dinner. You
shall not mairy that horrid man, for I will
carry you away, and hide you first." And
i the devoted boy assisted Nelly to her feet,
and led ber to the brook which flowed
along a short distance from where they had
been sitting. After bathing her flushed
face, they walked slowly toward the house.
A long July day was drawing to a close.
Tho sun had just gone out of sight behind
tho western bills, the terriblo heat of the
day had subsided, and a cool, gentle breeze
had sprung up. Nellie sat by the sitting
room window, with ber head leaning on
her hand. In less than a fortnight, if noth
ing happened to prevent, she should bo the
wife of a mau she despised. A Bhudder
passed over her frame, and the tears rolled
slowly down ber cheeks. Suddenly, a
loud, hoarse voice broke on her ear, and
the words, "All right, fanner Wilkes, I'll
find her," and in a moment more John
Faiibanks strode into sight. He was very
tall aud slim, and bis shoulders were much
inclined to embonpoint. His hair and long
coarse whiskers were of that detestable
color called red. He was dressed iu a long
farmer's frock and a slouching broad-brimmed
bat adorned his head.
As Nellie saw bim coming, sho sprang
up, and would have left the room, but
Mrs. Wilkes quickly arose and went out
locking the door after her. She immedi
ately unlocked it, however, admitting John
Fail bands. Nellie sank bank into her
chair and neither looked up nor spoke, or
in any way intimated that she know bo was
there.
"Wall, Nell, how air ye to-night? I
tho't I'd come round and spark ye a little."
Mr. Fairbanks drew bis chair to ber sido,
and endeavored to put hi arm around her
waist, but she spiang quickly to her feet,
and in a quick, angry voice commanded
bim to leave the room. John arose quick
ly, while a look of amazement overspread
bis face. It soon passed away, however,
and he grasped Nellie by the arm and re
seated her, at the same time saying, " Hey
day, and pretty miss, and what does all
this mean ? . It stand you to be a little
more civil to me, for I suppose you know
that I am to be your husband in just about
a fortnight."
Nellie' eye flashed fire.
"Now, my dear little gal," rosumod
John, "be kinder calm, and enjoy the few
miniti I will (top with ye this evenln'."
And here he put on such a look, which was
doubtless Intended to be exceedingly ten
der, that Nellie, sad a she felt, could not
refrain from laughing. Tbis,.Iohn evident
ly considered a favorable change in her de
meanor toward bim, for he drew hi chair
closer to ber tide, and once more endeavor
ed to embrace her ; but she quickly sprang
from ber seat, darted paBt him, and seated
herself at the window opposite, where Bhe
sat quietly watching the gathering shad
ows of the approaching night.
Just then the door was unlocked aud
Mrs. Wilkes entered, bearing a light.
Nellie tried to spring past her, but she was
too late, and was once more obliged to re
seat herself and listen to her lover's conver
sation. Suddenly, the door was again
opened, and this timo Burt entered breath
lessly, hat iu hand.
"Oh, John ! I cau see a great light right
over in the direction of your house, and I
do believe your Iioubo nd barn are all on
fire I"
The alarmed mau sprang quickly through
tho open window and was out of sight in
an Instant. To Nellie' surprise, Burt burst
into a hearty laugh, which, however, was
instantly checked, and bade Nellie go to
ber room nt once. Nellio was not slow to
obey, aud was soon safe in ber own cham
ber. Meanwhile John Fairbanks camo walking
furiously back toward the house.
" In it a fire?" innocently asked Burt.
" No, you little imp o' the evil one ; it's
the moon rising. I wish you were thrash
ed within an inch of your life." The infu
riated man strodo back into the sitting
room, but stopped short when he saw his
bird had flown. Evidently, be had been
outwitted, and with this comforting con
clusion he left the house, not, however,
without an inward resolve to make Burt
sutler for his impudence.
A week passed slowly away ; slowly to
all except Nellio. It seemed to her that
the hours flew. At length it wanted but
one week of the intended wedding. If our
poor friend Nellie did not intend to marry
John she must mature a plan of escape.
But whero sliould she go ? Alas I she did
not know, and at times she was nearly fran
tic. On tho day in question, Burt had gone to
tho village of C , and Nellio was
looking anxiously for his return home
why, she did not know. She little thought
ho would bring tidings of bim whose re
mains she supposed were lying on a South
ern battlo-field. She sat by the window,
watching, for a long time. At length, Mrs.
Wilkes entered the room, and, coming to
Nellio's sido, rested one hand ou her shoul
der, saying, in the first kind words she had
addressed to ber for a long time. " Nellie,
won't ye come out and help me a few min
utes ? I am real tired, and I want to finish
your new gown to night."
Nellio shuddered, for she knew that the
dress in question was intended for bcr
wedding. But she arose, did her stepmoth
er's usual work without a murmur, and
then returned to ber seat by tho wiudow.
At last the old bay mare was seen toiling
slowly up the hill, finally stopping in front
of tho house.
" Nellie, come out here and bold old Kit
ty while I tako out my grist," said Burt.
Nellie arose with a sad smile, for tho idea
of old Kitty's running away was utterly
preposterous, and she knew at once that
Burt bad something of importance to com
municate. As she appeared in the door-way, Burt
continued :
" I never saw the beat of old Kit. She
is certainly growing young, for, if you wil
believe it, mother, sho has run away from
me twice."
"That' strange," said Mrs. Wilkes;
" It won't be safe for you to drive ber af
ter this."
Nellio stood patiently holding poor old
Kitty until Burt bad taken out the grist,
and then he approached and banded her a
folded paper, telling her to go to ber room
beforo opening it. It was with difficulty
that she managed to conceal her anxiety
from ber stepinother,but she succoeded,and
at last was at liberty to retire. Once in
her own room she quickly opened the note,
for such it proved to be. One glance ut
the contents, and with a glad cry she sank
fainting to the floor.
When ber senses returned, Burt stood
over ber, bathing her temples. " What
has happened ?" said she, at length ; but
as she spoke a remembrance of tho pre
cious note came slowly to her memory,
and she endeavored to spring from ber bed.
But Burt laid her gently back, and taking
the note, read a follows :
My Own Nkllib. Doubtless you will
be very much surprised to receive this,
and I hope you will be very glad. I have
not time to write much, but please meet
me to-morrow, at three o'clock, at our old
trysting place. I remain, as ever, your
devoted lover.
Tiikodoiie.
"Where did you see bim, Burt?" en
quired Nellio.
"After I got my grist, I thought I
would go to the station to see the cars
come in. I stood on the platform until the
cars had started again, and was just think
ing ot starting myself, when a band was
placed on my shoulder, aud a familiar
voice said, ' Burt, my boy, have you no
welcome for me?' I looked up and a
soldier stood before me. I did not know
bim, but I beld out my hand, which bo
immediately grasped. ' My dear sir, said
I, you have the advantage of me. What
does this mean ?'
" ' Don't you know Theodore ?' said he.
And then, ob, Nellie, I was so glad that I
could not help jumping up and down for
joy!"'
"But is he then changed so much?"
asked Nellie, sadly.
" He was taken prisoner, and he is awful
thin, but as soon as he told me who be
was, I could sco for myself that it was
bim, and no mistake. I told bim all about
your trouble, and the team rolled down
his cheeks. After a while, he concluded
not to let any one know that he had re
turned, and that is all I can tell you about
him, but be will tell the rest to-morrow.
I must go now, or the folks will think
strange of my staying up here so long."
And kissing her fondly, he left the room.
Nellie rose early the next morning, and
Burt could scarcely believe bis eyes, when
ho saw her bright, happy face and rosy
checks. Her mother saw the change and
inquired the cause.
"Oh, I have concluded to be happy once
more, get married and be an obedient
daughter, Bince I cannot change father's
opinion about John," returned Nellie.
But as she afterward declared she never
felt so despicable iu her life as she did in
thus deceiving her old stepmother.
Threo o'clock came at last, and Nellie
stole away to the old trysting place.
Theodore was not tbero, and she seated
herself to await bis coming. A half hour
passed, and then sho beard a step beside
her, and in a moment she was clasped in
Theodore's arms.
I will pass lightly over tho meeting. At
last they arose from the bench whero they
had been sitting and walked arm in arm
toward the village. They walked iu silence
for some minutes, but at length Theodore
said, "Nellio, you will not hesitate to
elope with mo now, will you?"
The girl blushingly laid her head ou his
shoulder and murmured, " No, dear Theo
dore ; I havo no choose between that and
a life of misery."
"Then," said ho, pressing a fond kiss
on her brow, " meet me to-morrow night
at nine o'clock. It will bo best that Bnrt
should accompany us as a witness ; and he
can assist yon to enter tho house when wo
return."
They talked a few moments longer and
then he accompanied ber back as far as
the grove, where they departed.
The next day passed as usual. Nollio
told Burt tho whole of tho plan, and bo
readily promised to assist them.
Night camo at last, and at nine o'clock
Nellie and Burt stole quietly to meet
Theodore. They found him at the ap
pointed place with a light buggy, in which
were soon whirling lapidly along to tho
villago of N , some ten mile distant.
There was but one clergyman in the
village of C , and he had been en.
gaged to unite John and Nellie. As the
young couple wished the preparations for
that interesting ceremony to go on, it
would simply spoil tho whole affair to ac
quaint him with the change to be made iu
the bridegroom.
Their business at N , was soon ac
complished, and Burt and Nellie, or Mrs.
Burton, arrived home without their absence
being discovered.
Tho next day was a rainy, disagreeable
one, and in the afternoon John came over
to see Nellio. She treated him respectful
ly, but declined bis company for that eve
ning ou account of her work.
The days passed quickly away, aud at
length the day, or rather the evening ar
rived, which had been appointed for the
wedding. Emma and her husband camo
late in the afternoon, and were agreeably
surprised to find Nellie looking so happy.
At eight o'clock John and the minister,
Mr. Leland, arrived, and in a few moments
Nellie entered the room, dressed in pure
white leaning on Burt's arm. After a
few moments' general conversation, the
minister arose, and announced his readi
ness to perform the ceremony.
John arose and approached Nellie. Sho
gave him ber hand, and they stepped be
fore tho minister. The usual preliminaries
were passed through with, and the usual
question, " Wilt thou take this woman to
be thy wedded wife?" &c, was addressed
to John. He responded, in a loud voice,
"Yes, sir."
Then the minister turned to Nellie, and
asked, " Wilt thou tako this man to be
thy wedded husband ?" &c. To tho aston
ishment of all, with the exceptiou of Burt,
Nellie withdrew ber baud from John's,
and, stepping back, said, in a loud clear
voice, " Excuse me, sir, but I am already
married. It will be Impossible for me to
answer your question otherwise than by
'nay.'"
It seemed for a moment as if all pres
ent were struck dumb. Mr. Wilkes was
the first to recover his self-possession.
"What Is the meaning of this?" he
cried, springing to his feet.
"It moans," said a low, deep-toned
voice, its owner entering the room as be
spoke, "that Nellie is my wife, and that
you have been outwitted." Tbeu he
turned to Nollie, " Come, Mrs. Burton, are
you ready to accompany me to my boarding
placo?'
tor an answer she took the hat and
shawl which Burt banded ber, and be
fore tho party recovered from the new
surprise of seeing bim whom all sup
posed long since dead, the bappy coupln
bad left tho bouse, and were ou their way
toC .
We will pass over the chagriu of Mr.
and Mrs. Wilkes and John. It can be
better imagined than described. John
returned home not quite broken-hearted,
but furious at his disappointment.
Mr. Wilkc has never forgiven Nellio.
She cannot lay bis anger to heart very
much, however, for safo within the home
which Theodore baa provided for her, sho
passes the days in quiet happiness.
Never Known to Fail!
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REASONS WHY THEY ONLY SHOULD BE
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Then it no Iiitk in Taking Them. They
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BEWARE OF COUNTERFEITS. The
genuine are put up In square tin boxes, with
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stamped on the lid, and the signature of
"Thompson & Crawford," ou the wrapper.
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rncpAiiEu only nr
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141 Market St., Philadelphia.
THOMPSON'S
It II 10 U M A T I C
AND
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EQUALLY GOOD FOR MAN OR BEAST.
This Liniment has earned for Itself a reputa
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erful penetrating properties it Is beyond doubt;
the SUREST REMEDY for the most trouble
some diseases to which horses and cattle are
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lly Crawford fc Fobvs,
141 Market Street,
29bly PHILADELPHIA.
Neiv Millinery Goods
A.X. Newport, l?u.
I BK(i to Inform the public that I have Just re
turned from Philadelphia, with a ful assort
ment o the latest styles uf
Mf LLINERY GOODS,
HATH AND BONNETS.
KIUBONH, FRENCH FLOWERS
FEATHERS,
CHIGNONS.
LACK CAPEB.
NOTIONS,
And all articles usually found In a first-class Mil
linery Establishment. All orders promptly at
tended to. TWe will sell all goods as Cheap as
can be got elsewhere .
DREHS-MAKING done to order and In the la
test style, as 1 get the latest Fashions from New
York every month. Guttering done to order, In
all widths. I will warrant all my work togive sat
isfaction. All work done as low as possible.
ANNIE ICKE8.
Cherry Street, near the Station,
8 IB 13 Newport. Pa.
J. II. OlItVIN.
i. n. QIPVIN
J.
M. GIHVIN at SON,
Oommiktietloit HorcliantM,
No. 8, SPEAR'S WHARF,
It a I 1 1 in o r c . M 1 .
4. We will nay strict attention to the sale of al
kinds of country produce, and remit the amount
promptly. 6S41y
New Pension Law.
UNDER an act of Congress approved March S,
1H73, widows of olllcers who were killed, or
died of disease contracted ill the service, are now
entitled to I2.U0 per month for each of their chil
dren. The guardian of a minor child of a soldier who
heretofore only received H.uo per month pension
Is now entitled to 110. per moth.
Holdlers who receive invalid pensions can now
have their pensions increased to any sum or rate
between IS. and IIS. per month.
Koidiers who have lost their discharges can now
obtain duplicates.
Fat hers und mothers who hint sons In the serv
ice iiihiu whom they were deieudeut fur support,
can also olilitlu iemlons.
The undersigned having had over 10 years ex
perience tu the Claim agency business will atteud
promptly to claims under the above set.
Call on or address
LEWIS POTTER,
Attorney for Clalniauts,
New Bloomtleld,
7 2Ctf. Perry Co., Pa.