attempted to strike him. The man warded off the blow, and almost taken into the as quickly knocked Joe down. got up he seized a gun which was near him, and fired, the charge taking effect in his left hip. The man fell, and Joe, supposing of course that he had killed him, attempted to run away, but was caught, and had his hands tied behind him, and house, where his mother found him two hours later. bondsmen came to release him, Mrs. Tartar consulted to who would be the best lawyer for her to engage. After some discussion, it was decided that she should try to get Judge Fairfax, one of the most effective pleaders in the State. She immediately sent post-haste to the city to secure his services. Just before his Squire Ivers as Mr. Wilcox, the man who was shot, lay in an unconscious state for some time, under the influence of opiates, while the wound was dressed. For days he lingered between life and death. Once or twice he was reported dying, and once the news came that he was dead. Then the cowardly bully showed of what stuff he was made. He mounted a horse which he had kept ready, and fled, no one knew whither. It turned out to be a false alarm, but Joe did not return until he learned through a secret agent that the man was getting better, and likely to recover. Then he came back with as much bravado as he could assume. He said he had been to the city to secure counsel, and that he would show Jim Wilcox that he could not knock him down without any cause. He said it was a pity the had not died; coming Such is the real over there to interfere in their shooting matches. coward when he knows there is no danger. NOT CHAPTER V. THE WEDDING. Across the threshold led, And every tear kiss'd off as soon as shed, -Roges Human Wife. OT very long after Walter returned with his bride-elect from New York, preparations were made for their wedding. There was a great deal to be done, and help was difficult to be obtained. But at last Mrs. Ivers succeeded in securing the services of a poor girl in the neighborhood, whose mother had died when she was very young, and whose father, a miserable, drunken sot, had been convicted of highway robbery, and been sentenced to five years in the penitentiary, where he was then serving out his time. His name was Hiram Vic, and his daughter's name was Sallie. Her mother had died, as some said, of a broken heart, on account of the miserable wretch who was considered a nice young man when she married him, She had hidden his faults, until they became too glaring, and even then she was faithful to him, and so remained until death. Sallie Vic was a pretty, modest girl, and when Mrs. Ivers sent for her to come and live with her, and help her, she hesitated, fearing that, being the daughter of a convict, she would not be treated. as well as she otherwise would have been, especially by Miss Dubrow, who had the name of being very "high-headed," as Mrs. Cramp would say. She finally consented to come and stay with Mrs. Ivers until after the wedding. At first Sallie was timid, and scarcely spoke to Miss Dubrow, but Annette was so kind and gentle to her that gradually she gained confidence, and in a very few days she could scarcely bear to be out of her sight, and there was nothing which she would not undertake for Nettie, as she called her. Sallie had been taught to do plain sewing, and, being very neat and tractable, it was not long before she became an expert seamstress, and was of the greatest assistance during the few weeks preceeding Walter's marriage. As the time drew nigh the invitations were given out. It was scarcely expected that everybody could be invited, but Walter was determined not to overlook any of his friends, if he could help it. But the house was not large enough to accomodate everybody. True, the Squire had made extensive additions to his cottage since it was built, and now, as he said, it was not very sightly, but very comfortable. The time for the wedding was set for Thanksgiving Day, and preparations were made for the greatest feast that had ever been given in those parts. One of the rooms which had been added to the pioneer's cottage was very large. It was intended by the Squire for a kind of courtroom, wherein he held court, while he was Justice of the Peace, and for a dining-room, whenever there was an unusual number invited or expected to dine with them. There was another use which the great room as it was called, was put to. There being a large fire-place, with a great oven in back, and ample room to get around great kettles, it was used as a general slaughter-house, or, at least for the scalding and dressing of pigs, poultry, etc., during the fall and winter months; also for making and repairing of agricultural tools, such as would be required the following season. Here corn was shelled during the long, stormy nights of winter. It was also the grand apple-cut room, where old and young met; the aged to live over their youth again, and the young looking afar off to the good time coming, little knowing that they were, just then, amid the very ecstasies of life. "And still as each repeated pleasure tir'd, Succeeding sports the mirthful band inspired." Upon the present occasion the great room was to be decorated as never before. It was papered anew and painted anew; while around upon the walls hung trophies and pictures wreathed in "Creeping Jenny" and "Princess Feather." Laurel branches room. entwined with autumn leaves, were made to represent arches, and chains of red cranberries hung in festoons, completely around the Two pine trees stood beside the great fire-place, heavily laden with red and yellow apples; while over the mantel, projecting about three feet into the room, was an evergreen bower, bearing golden fruits; beneath that, suspended by invisible cords, were the letters W and A, made also of cranberries, upon a back-ground of wintergreen leaves, plaited together. Two tables, running the entire length of the room, were trimmed with evergreen. In the center of each was a beautiful fir tree, laden with choice fruits, upon which were fastened mottoes appropriate to the occasion. The long-looked-for, and most welcome day at last had come, and the guests began to assemble. Elder Knocks was selected by Walter to marry him, and Mrs. Knocks was deferred to so much that she almost felt herself a queen, and her husband one of the nobles of the land. Sallie Vic was everywhere; now superintending the dining-room, now assisting to dress the bride. She made the wreaths and strung the cranberries for the festoons, and assisted Mrs. Ivers to make the wedding-cake. Mrs. Ivers told her she must not go on so, or she would surely be sick, and Annette begged that she would not work so hard, just for her sake. Sallie said it was for her sake that she did work so. An nette kissed her cheek and said she should be her dear sister. That brought tears to the poor girls eyes, while she could only say: "No, no, Nettie, you do not mean it." It was strange that those two, brought together under such circumstances, should have formed an undying affection for each other, and, as widely different as their positions were, they were indeed like loving sisters. As the neighbors and guests arrived it seemed as if the house would not hold them, and when, finally, the candidates came forward, there was scarcely standing-room inside the house. It was not thought advisable to have a bridesmaid, or groomsman, so they took their places beneath the evergreen canopy, and, joining hands, the good man read the ceremony, and pronounced them man and wife After making a very fervent prayer, he congratulated them both, say ing he believed they were worthy of each other. After the forma congratulations of their friends present, the room was cleared and the feast prepared, which was by far the most important part of the ceremony to a majority of those present. The Squire sat at the head of one table with his old wife, both looking as happy as it is possible for those to look who have reached a ripe old age, and who had been prospered, as they almost felt, beyond their deserts. At the other table sat Walter and his bride. He was, indeed, nature's nobleman, one who might have been selected from among a thousand modest and dignified, but genial and considerate; a manly form, large dark eyes and perfect features; his beautiful hair, worn according to the fashion of the times, was his crowning beauty. Graceful and easy in his manners, he was admired and complimented by all present-no, not all, for there were those who envied and hated him while they pretended to do him honor. The bride seemed the very acme of loveliness and innocence. Her sweet smile seemed to lend enchantment to the scene, and her golden hair was the rich setting of a face all beauty, not a line could have been changed for the better. Her eyes seemed to look out from the soul which was all love and hope; her dress was simple, so that her own personal charms were enhanced. Indeed, nothing could have detracted from them, for, like a precious stone, her beauty out dazzled all setting. Many were the compliments the young couple received by both old and young, and much as some present would have liked to have made unfavorable comments, they did not venture to do it there; but their envy was bottled up for future use. |