Elsies Motherhood | Page 6

by the hand. Have you repented?"
"Never, sir; never for one moment." The accents were low, sweet, clear,
and full of pleasure.
"I pronounce you a faithful man and wife: and may God, in his good
providence, grant you many returns of this happy anniversary."
Old Mr. Dinsmore stepped up, kissed the bride and shook hands with
the groom. "Blessings on you for making her so happy," he said in
quivering tones.
His son followed, then the others in their turn, and a merry scene
ensued.
"Mamma, it was so pretty, so pretty," little Elsie said, clasping her arms
about her mother's neck, "and now I just feel as if I'd been to your
wedding. Thank you, dear mamma and papa."
"Mamma, you are so beautiful, I'll just marry you myself, when I'm a
man," remarked Eddie, giving her a hearty kiss, then gazing into her
face with his great dark eyes full of love and admiration.
"I too," chimed in Violet. "No, no, I forget, I shall be a lady myself: so
I'll have to marry papa."
"No, Vi, oo tan't have my papa; he's dus' my papa always," objected
Harold, climbing his father's knee.
"What a splendid idea, Elsie," Lucy Ross was saying to her friend, "you
have made me regret, for the first time, not having kept my wedding
dress; for I believe my Phil and I could go through that catechism quite

as well as you and Mr. Travilla. The whole thing, I suppose, was quite
original?"
"Among us: my namesake daughter proposed the wearing of the dress:
and the ceremony," turning to the minister, "was your idea, Mr. Wood,
was it not?"
"Partly, Mrs. Travilla; your father, Mrs. Dinsmore, and I planned it
together."
"Your dress is as perfect a fit as when made, but I presume you had it
altered," observed Lucy, making a critical examination of her friend's
toilet.
"No, not in the least," answered Elsie, smiling.
The banquet to which the guests were presently summoned, though
gotten up so hastily, more than fulfilled the expectation of the Misses
Conly, who as well as their mother and Aunt Enna did it ample justice;
there was a good deal of gormandizing done by the spoiled children
present, spite of feeble protests from their parents; but Elsie's well
trained little ones ate contentedly what was given them, nor even asked
for the rich dainties on which others were feasting; knowing that papa
and mamma loved them too dearly to deny them any real good.
"Holloa, Neddie and Vi, why you've been overlooked!" said Philip
Ross, coming toward the two little ones with a plate heaped up with
rich viands, "you've nothing but ice cream and plain sugar biscuit; here,
take some of this pound cake and these bonbons. They're delicious, I
tell you!"
"No, no, thank you: mamma says pound cake is much too rich for us,
and would make us sick," said Eddie.
"'Specially at night," added Vi, "and we're to have some bonbons
to-morrow."
"Goodest little tots ever I saw," returned Philip laughing. "Ma wanted

me to let 'em alone, but I told her I'd risk the getting sick," he added
with a pompous grown-up air.
"Phil, you certainly are an insubordination, as Miss Fisk said,"
remarked his sister Gertrude, standing near, "I believe you think you're
'most a man, but it's a great mistake."
"Pooh, Ger! people that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. I
heard you telling ma you wouldn't wear the dress she'd laid out for you.
Elsie Travilla, allow me the pleasure of refilling your saucer."
"No, thank you, Phil, I've had all mamma thinks good for me."
"Time to go to bed, chillens," said mammy, approaching the little group,
"de clock jes gwine strike nine. Here, Uncle Joe, take dese empty
saucers."
Promptly and without a murmur the four little folks prepared to obey
the summons, but cast wistful longing glances toward mamma, who
was gayly chatting with her guests on the other side of the room. Just
then the clock on the mantel struck, and excusing herself she came
quickly toward them. "That is right, dears; come and say good-night to
papa and our friends; then go with mammy and mamma will follow in
a few moments."
"What dear sweet creatures they are! perfect little ladies and
gentlemen," remarked Mrs. Wood, as, after a courteous good-night to
all, they went cheerfully away with their mammy.
"I wish mine were half as good," said Mrs. Ross.
"Now ma, don't expose us," cried Phil. "I've often heard you say Mrs.
Travilla was a far better little girl than you; so of course her children
ought to be better than yours."
"Some children keep their good behavior for company," sneered Enna,
"and I've no doubt these little paragons have their naughty