THE WEDDING OF PIET VAN BRUNT.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11000, 25 June 1901, Page 3

THE WEDDING OF PIET VAN BRUNT.

Bt E. L. Dl'axe. Everyone , has thoughts," but every thought does not become an idea, much less a conviction. . Pieb Van Brunt had thoughts, but rambling ones they were, for ths most part, as he whistled-a familiar air, somewhat incorrectly, and kept tiim to it with the hoe as he loosened the earth around the young plants at his feet. With a final shrill note in imitation of a singer he had once heard, in the -village hall, he leaned the handle of the hoe, against his shoulder and wiped his face with the corner of the coarse red handkerchief lying loosely about his neck. Then his attention was arrested by the graceful evolutions of two pigeons circling about the little pigeon house which he had built! With a self-satisfied smile he looked upon his handiwork and noted the con\entment of his pets as they plumed themselves on the fit tie roof. His meditation was disturbed by a little feminine cough, and he glunced toward the road.

"Good morning, Piet," greeted a musical, young voice. "Good morning, Tess," he answered, indifferently. -' She paused for a moment and pres3<»d en« i hand on top of her snow-white oo inti. which a sudden gust of wind, aided by a tangle of rebellious curls, threatened to dethrone. She removed her hand in time

to meet a second gust, more vigorous than £he first, and the little bonnet was tossed contemptuously over her shoulders and hung suspended by the strings about her neck. With a merry laugh she brushed the recreant hair from her face, and tripped lightly down the road, indifferent to" further attack. . Piet laughed good-naturedly at her spirit, and then resumed his whistling and work. She had not taken twenty paces when the whistling came to an abrupt end, and he leaned upon the handle of the hoe again. His thoughts were confused: But one more potent than the rest took possession of him, and his eye followed; the neat, graceful figure of little Tess until appeared at the turn in the road. v How pretty she looks to-day, he thought. Strange he had never thought so before! And how sweetly she said "Good morning, Piet." He pictured her again pausing on the other side of the rail fence to greet him, and he smiled again at her struggle with the bonnet. It was very pleasant, this meeting, and yet, after all, very commonplace, for had they not known - each other from childhood? She had often greeted him before, but, somehow, he had never thought of her as pretty before. Now she was decidedly so with her tossing, curly chestnut hair and ruddy, cheeks aglow with health. When she smiled she revealed a row of nrettv teeth as white as

- pix.. y . her bonnet. She is pretty, he repeated mentally. And then and there that thought became an idea, and the idea a conviction, for he added: the prettiest girl hereabouts. | "Come, come, Piet! Why do you idle with the hoe?" hailed, a stern voice at his back. ; "Know what you're about?" continued i his father, old Jan Van Brunt, gruffly. ! Piet knew very well what he had been about, but not how Jong he had been /about it. For answer he resumed his task" with I energy. But this time he did not whistle. With a grunt of satisfaction the elder 1 Van Brant dismissed the guilty youth from his mind, and smiled as he looked upon ! the advancing crop, which, with favourable weather, promised ample returns. With a second glance towards Piet, in which pride I and admiration for the sturdy fellow were ; clearly manifest, Jan returned to the house. Although Piet's eyes were wide awake at last to the charms of his little neighbour, |it is doubtful if the stolid fellow would ever have thought of falling in love with her but for a most unexpected incident. j One evening, just at dusk, he was leading home a refractory cow that had an aptitude for straying away. The. beast was in as ill a humour as himself, and contested I every rod of the way. Out of* patience at last, he picked up a stout stick and belaboured her well. At this juncture, as the stick was poised for a particularly effective blow, some bushes sJurting the roadside parted and Tess appeared. 1 "Oh, Piet!" she cried?, reproachfully. Ashamed that she had witnessed his outburst of temper, he threw the cudgel down savagely and renewed his efforts wifjh the rope. i "Has she run away again.'" asked Tess, sympathetically. • " "Yes," he answered crossly, "she's always 'doing £o," and he stood aside, sullenly regarding his charge.' Tess approached the contrary creature, and with a few soothing words and a few defi: strokes with her shapely hand, established immediate confidence. Then she slipped her hand into a pocket and produced a morsel of sugar, which, with a few added caresses, completed the victory. Piet permitted her to relieve him of the rope. With : a coaxing "co, bos," she started forward, followed by the now submissive cow. i When Piet had recovered from this surprise the pair were some paces aWay, and he quickly strode after them. For some distance they proceeded in silence. She i was angry, he thought. \ Now and then ' he cast a furtive glance at the trim little ; figure, but she seemed unconscious off his 1 presence. The silence became unbearable. He felt he must break it somehow, so, with a ned toward the cow, which still follow-, I ed amiably in her wake, he ventured: i "Tess, you must be a witch, or a fairy, ' or -——" "Or, something equally strange. Is it not so?" ~ "Yes," he nodded, at loss for further classification. "But witches are uncanny. Am I so?" "Indeed you are not," he protested warmly. ' j "Then I am certainly not a fairy, for ! fairies carry a wand and have golden hah - , while mine is——'" j "Much prettier than theirs," he inter- | rupted, boldly. ! A pleased little laugh, and then she ! shook the curls about her face to hide the i gratifying confusion the compliment j evoked. j "No, Piet," she began, soberly, "I am only a common mortal, but a sensible one, 1 hope, and I know that dumb creatures i must be treated with forbearance and kindi ness." Piet winced at this reference to his conduct, and inwardly promised that cow unlimited indulgence in the future. "I didn't mean to be cruel," he said in i extenuation. I "But you lost your temper. The poor : thing did not know she had done wrong, and your actions oidv frightened her. You ! have a good heart, Piet. Everyone knows i that. You should not let anger stifle I it."

Piet hung his head, and they proceeded quietly. Several times she glanced at him shyly, and, noting his air of utter dejection,* suppressed a little chuckle of delight at the influence of her words over the big, strapping fellow. It was very sweet, this newly found power. And then, as if to make amends for her reproaches, she broached a pleasanter subject, and talked so sensibly and entertainingly that he felt he had never met anyone *so interesting before. The way led past her home. On reaching the gate*Piet took the rope and thanked her for the service she had rendered. His eyes expressed the pleasure of her company. With a friendly "Good night," she unlatched the gate, and was about to disappear up the path, when he recalled her. "Oh-a, Tess!" . She returned to the gate. He stood in the roadway, endeavouring to efface a waggon rut with the toe of his boot. He knew what he wanted to say, but not just how to say it. he blured out: "Tess, I don't want you to think ill of mc for what I did to old Mooly here. I won't do it again. 'Nd I'd like you, of all others, to think well of mc." "I do, Piet," she answered, ingenuously playing with a vine that straggled about the gatepost. "There are lots of things I don't do right," he confessed, brightening up, "and since you have treated mc so well on this occasion, and your advice is so good, I mean to come to you again. .May I?" "Yes," she answered, laughingly, "come , often." v ' \ ' ~ "I wilL" he replied, seriously. She had meant her reply/to teaserhim,.but the gravity of bis 'manner implied the acceptance of another, and more earnest, locan<

ing. With a little cry of confusion, she retreated quickly towaids the house, with a contented laugh from Piet ringing in her ears. In the seclusion of-"her room she pressed her hands against two burning cheeks, reddened by mingled feelings of pleasure and humiliation. Surely it vras pleasant to be admired.by the eldest son of tih© most prosperous fanner thereabouts, but humiliating to, have one's meaning misconstrued! She determined to correct tho impression, for he must think her unmaidenly! After all, why should she correct it? In her heart she loved the simple, manly fellow, and if But further thought "was dissipated by her mother's voice.

Piet reached home without further incident. After the evening meal, Instead of sitting about with the rest of the family, as was his custom, and finding interest in the commonplaces of the day, he took his pipe and strolled out to a familiar path that skirted the fields of ripening grain, and led to the woodland beyond. His thoughts were of Tess, and in the solitude, broken only by the rustling leaves overhead, or the occasional plaintive cry of some night- bird to its mate, he reached a conclusion. She was the only girl in all the world for him, and he meant to woo and win her if he could.

Fortune favoured him. Ere the waning of summer they had exchanged vows, and Piet had listened to that sweetest of all words in a lover's ear—yes. So far they had taken no one into, their' confidence, and the attachment was unsuspected by even the most discerning village gossip. Piet was for publishing the bans at once. She insisted on delay. It was so much nicer to be "just engaged," she said.

. "Besides," she argued, "before a, day is set we must first gain our parents' consent, and that may take some time," she added, naively. "We will ask their consent, of course," answered Piet, "but if they withhold,it we'll show them we can be happy in spite of it." "No, Piet, such unions"bring no blessings. Were your father to refuse has consent my mother would deny tier's also, and, though it might break my heart, I would not marry without it."

"You are,right, Tess, but I shall speak to father to-night," and, in spite of her remonstrances, he did. After supper the elder Van Brunt, who seemed in a particularly amiable mood, took his long pipe from the shelf, lighted it, and after several preliminary whiffs, indulged in one long puff. With a grunt of satisfaction ha sauntered into the farmyard, closely followed by Piet.

"See Piet," he said, with a twinkle of satisfaction :"n his eyes. "Is it not a fine farm? The richest in all the country round! And il is mine, all mine. Yonder is the little yellow house where we began, your mother and I. That is mine, too. Some of these days it shall be yours, with a nice bit of land about it.- Yes"," he added, between puffs, "some of these days when you marry, as of course you will." Piet's heart gave a bound of delight. After racking his brain how best fa> broach >the subject, here was the way madennexpectedly clear!

"That is just what I wanted to speak about, father." "About what? The little yellow house?" "No, about getting married." "Pouf! Plenty of time for that. You must first find the girl."

"I have, father." "Eh? What's tliis!' gasped old Jan, lowering his pipe in astonishment. "The truth, father. I have found a wife." There! It was out at last, but the cloud on his father's face presaged a storm. ''So, so! . And who is the jade?" "No jade, fat Iter, but an honest girl you may well be proud to own for a daughter." "Who is- she?" demanded Jan, savagely. "Tess Weller." At this Jan's pipe fell to the ground, where it was allowed to remain unnoticed. "Dame Weller's girl, eh? Well, she has a fine mortgage for a dowry." "I do not marry for money." "Then you should," he snasled, growing more angry with each word. "What have you to make a start on? How do you propose to live?" "I can work," answered Piet, a vague uneasiness creeping over him. "For whom?" roared Jan. Piet glanced at his father quickly. There was no mistaking his meaning. "But, father." he began after an ominous silence, "you yourself, a moment ago, spoke of my marriage." "I did, but I at least expected to know of your intentions beforehand; and, if possible, assist you in selecting a suitable mate." "You could not find mc a better one in all the world, and I mean to marry her. With your consent, if possible, but " " "Well, finish! If I withhold my consent?" Piet remained silent, but the determination in his face fully answered the question. "How comes it no one in the village knew of your love-makinff? I, your father, least of all. Were you ashamed of it?" An angry flush leaped into Piet's face, but be closed his teeth firmly on any reply. "And so," continued his father, "after all our pains, and you are just becoming of gome use to us, you wish to fly away with the first petticoat that turns your silly head! Tut! tut!" he added, more calmly, stooping, with a grunt, to pick up the neglected pipe. "Think it over, my son. You will live to laugh at your folly."

"Never, father! I shall never think other than I do now, but I cannot marry unless yon consent, for Tess refuses mc without it.

"Oh, ho! Then she has more sense than you. My consent, eh? Well, you shan't have it. If you have so little reverence for your mother and mc as to contract for a beggarly union without first seeking our approval you need not wait for our consent now, but go your way." . "Surely, father > "I'll not hear.another word!" With an angry stride he disappeared into the field.

Piet stood for a moment utterly overwhelmed, and then, darting an angry look in his father's direction, turned quickly toward the house: Going to his room, he hastily removed his work-day clothes and proceeded., to dress with unusual gare. \

"Fll show the old 'money bags,'" he muttered, '!who weighs a heart as lie would a, sack of meal, that I cah go my way!" "I'll talk it ever with Teas," _* con- ,

tinued to himself. Then he recalled her wordi in the event of his father's refusal. But would she give him up? In his heart he feared she would. However, he meant to try her first, and if she still refused he could enlist and become a soldier! And perhaps that would be best for therrbalH

He slipped .out unnoticed, and walked, across the fields to Tess's home. She met him at the door. Her face was. wreathed with smiles and blushes.

Suddenly ho heard voices* from another room. Could it be possible! His father here! He might have spared mc that humiliation, he thought. Tess led him into the occupied room, and there was his father and Dame Weller seated calmly together!.. In open-mouthed wonder he looked at them both -for' some explanation. "Well, you young jackanapes I Have you only come to stare at us?" roared Jan. "No, father—but " "There, there. I have thought the matter over. Since you are bound to marry, as you say, and since Tess, like a' good, honest girl, refuses you, without my consent, I have thought it best to let you have your own way; and so keep you tunong us. Dame Weller agrees with mc. You shall have the little .yellow house and a nice bit of land about it; Tess brings a little dowry besides." And so it was aa-ranged. Tess yielded to Piet's entreaties for an early wedding. The day waa neaT at hand, when, aa .if to dampen their, aidour, it began to. rain, and continued, with slight interruption, until the wedding day. Prom all over that eection came news of overflowing rivers, swollen creeks, and flooded lowlands. As Piet looked from his window, the night before tbe wedding, it presented a dreary prospect indeed ; and as he lay in bed, vainly,.trying to sleep, the incessant patter, patter* patter on the weatherworn shingles seejm?d to be beating a tattoo on his hopes/- -But when he awoke in tbe morning the son was streaming through the rain-washed window, and, witb a bound of delighV-fte ..leaped to his feet and scanned the horizon. Not a cloud I

Everywhere the earth was flooded with gladdening sunshine, as if it had never withheld its presence, and Piet began the auspicious day (happily. ' *At last the hour arrived. The quests were all assembled in the spacious parlour of Jan Van Brunt, Piet and Tess, with radiant faces, moyed from group fo group receiving their congratulations and much humorous advice. Even the staid old farmhouse walls seemed infected -by tho merrymaking, and shook in harmony with the occasion.

Everyone was present but the minister. Somebody remarked that it was past the hour. Watches were compared, and, oddlj enough, the minister was late. As the momenta passed his tardiness was made a butt for jests"; but .as the time lengthened ridicule became wearisome and conversation began to lag.

Finally, Piet said he would walk part of the way to meet him, and, with Tess at his side, started off.

Oh reaching the bank of the little creek that completely divided the village they quickly saw the reason for delay; for on the obner side, with a. flood of water breast high between them, sat the minister on horseback.

Heretofore this stream had always been so shallow, and so easily forded, that no one ever thought of •building a bridge.

Piet called to him, but he pointed to the water and shook nis head. Then he moved his horse up and down the bank, evidently seeking a more favourable spot, but the search was fruitless.

Gradually the wedding guests, singly and in groups, followed after the principals, until all were assembled on the bank, with the much-desired' minister on the otherside.

"Try swimming him across," suggested Jan.

Anxious to oblige so important a member of his flock, he attempted fo do so, but the cautious beast, after several floundering efforts, backed firmly away from the stream.

"What shall we do?" asked Piet, disconsolately.

"It looks as if we must wait until another day," answered Tess.

"But tho pies and cakes and other things will all -be spoilt if the wedding be postponed!" said. Dame Van Brunt, in alarm. "Besides it is said to be very unlucky!" added Dame Weller.

"Hold on!' cried Jan, raising his hand impressively. He walked slowly to the water's edge, and called across to the mtinister, who dismounted, and came likewise, to the water on his side.

"Is there anything in tilie law or the Bible," anked Jan, "against marrying them across this creek?'

The minister reflected a moment, then answered that he thought not. "Make sure!" cried Jan.

Taking a few moments for further reflection, he replied that there was nothing in the way of such a marriage. . "Then take your positions," conumandtd Jan, and when all were in readiness he called over to the minister again: "Proceed." And so they were married.