Two Knapsacks eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 607 pages of information about Two Knapsacks.

Two Knapsacks eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 607 pages of information about Two Knapsacks.

The colonel was getting anxious to start for the Mississippi, and begged his deceased wife’s sister to confer with her daughter, and name the day.  The dominie was also consulted, and, seeing it was vain to hope for his friend’s restoration to the extent of performing groomsman’s duty, he acquiesced in whatever decision should be reached.  Mr. Douglas took Coristine’s place, and Miss Graves that of Miss Carmichael, and, for both of them, the Edinburgh lawyer ordered from the city handsome wedding presents to bestow upon the two couples, a little proof of generosity gratifying to the lady whom he now regularly called Marion.  The said Marion had definitely resigned her situation with Messrs. Tylor, Woodruff, and White.  On Thursday morning, St. Cuthbert’s in the Fields was a scene of wonder to the assembled rustics, with flowers and favours and lighted candles.  Miss Du Plessis, stately and lace bedight, was led in by her uncle, and followed by Miss Graves and Marjorie, while Wilkinson, in elegant morning dress, preceded Mr. Douglas and Mr. Bangs.  The colonel, with much emotion, gave his niece away, and Mr. Perrowne made them one.  Then came Mrs. Du Plessis, arm in arm with her former husband’s faithful servant, Mr. Terry, and behind her followed Miss Halbert, training for her own approaching celebration.  Mr. Errol was the colonel’s right hand man.  The second couple was united, and, amid the strains of the wedding march on the parlour organ, there went on salutes, congratulations, and hysterical little weepings, until the serious business of affixing signatures in the vestry called the contracting and witnessing parties to order.  Then they retired to Bridesdale, where there was a wedding breakfast, at which Mr. Perrowne, elated with liberal fees, was the soul of jocularity, and Mr. Douglas let the cat out of the bag as to his relations with Miss Graves.  Mr. Bangs sang “He’s a jolly good fellow” to every toast indiscriminately.  The Squire was felicitous in his presidential remarks; but Mr. Terry broke down at the thought of parting with Madame and with Miss Ceshile that was.  Mr. Errol made a good common-sense speech, and alluded roguishly to the colonel’s setting a good example that even ministers were not too good to follow.  Marjorie, in the dignity of a bridesmaid, slipped away to bring Cousin Marjorie down, and was accompanied by the new brides, who hugged Miss Carmichael, and implanted motherly and sisterly kisses on the cheek of the only man who was left out of the festivities.  Lastly, Wilkinson appeared on the scene with the colonel, and took a most affectionate leave of his friend.  “You will not forget me, Corry?” said the late dominie.  “Never, Wilks, never, nor you me I hope.  I’ll tell you, let us each carry away our knapsacks, and, when we look at them, think of each other, and the happy chance that brought us here together.”  The Squire’s voice rung out:  “Come, come, good people, pack up quick, for the carriage is at the door.”  The valises were got down by Timotheus, who received large tips.  The two ladies and Wilkinson got in with the Squire, and the new Mrs. Maguffin occupied the hind seat, while the colonel and his servant rode away amid much throwing of old shoes and rice, and waving of handkerchiefs, to make steamboat connections at Collingwood.  The departure of so large a company left quite a blank at Bridesdale.

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Two Knapsacks from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.