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
