CHAPTER LIV. MARRIED AND A'.

Well, the day of days came at last, and a fairer May morning never brightened the spire of old Trinity or woke the sparrows of the park. Even the dingy back garden of the Vanderheyden house had bubbled out in golden crocus and one or two struggling hyacinths, and the old lilacs by the chamber windows were putting forth their first dusky, sweet-scented buds. In about half a dozen houses, everybody was up early, with heads full of wedding dresses, and wedding fusses, and wedding cake. Aunt Maria, like a sergeant of police, was on hand, as wide awake and as fully possessed of the case as it was possible for mortal woman to be. She was everywhere,—seeing to everything, reproving, rebuking, exhorting, and pushing matters into line generally.

This was her hour of glory, and she was mistress of the situation. Mrs. Van Arsdel was sweet and loving, bewildered and tearful; and wandered hither and thither doing little bits of things and remorselessly snubbed by her energetic sister, who, after pushing her out of the way several times, finally issued the order: "Nellie, I do wish you'd go to your room and keep quiet. I understand what I want, and you don't."

The two brides, each in their respective dressing-rooms, were receiving those attentions which belong to the central figures of the tableau.

Marie, the only remaining unmarried sister, who had been spending the winter in Philadelphia, had charge, as dressing-maid, of one bride, and Eva of the other. There was the usual amount of catastrophes—laces that broke in critical moments, when somebody had to be sent tearing out distractedly for another; gloves that split across the back on trying; coiffures that came abominably late, after keeping everybody waiting, and then had to be pulled to pieces and made all over; in short, no one item of the delightful jumble of confusions, incident to a wedding, was missing.

The little chapel was dressed with flowers, and was a bower of sweetness; and, as St. John had planned, there was space reserved for the Sunday-school children and the regular attendants of the mission.

Besides those, there was a goodly select show of what Aunt Maria looked upon as the choice jewels of rank and fashion.

Dr. Gracey performed the double ceremony with great dignity and solemnity; but the reporters, who fought for good places to see the show, and Miss Gusher and Miss Vapors, were disappointed. There was only the plain old Church of England service—neither less nor more.

Mrs. Van Arsdel, and other soft-hearted ladies, in different degrees of family connection, did the proper amount of tender weeping upon their best laced pocket handkerchiefs; and everybody said the brides looked so lovely.

Miss Dorcas and Mrs. Betsey had excellent situations to see the whole, and Dinah, standing right behind them, broke out into ejaculations of smothered rapture, from time to time, in Mrs. Betsey's ear. Dinah was so boiling over with delight that, but for this tolerated escape-valve, there might have been some explosion.

Just as the ceremonies had closed, Mrs. Betsey heard Dinah whispering hoarsely:

"Good Lor'! if dar ain't Jack!"

And sure enough, Jack was there in the church, sitting up as composedly as a vestryman, and apparently enjoying the spectacle. When one of the ushers approached to take him out, he raised himself on his haunches and waved his paws with affability.

Jim caught sight of him just as the wedded party were turning from the altar to leave the church, and the sight was altogether too much for his risibility.

The fact was that Jack had been the subject of great discussion and an elaborate locking up that morning. But divining an intention on the part of his mistresses to go somewhere, he had determined not to be left. So he had leaped out of a window upon a back shed, and thence to the ground, and had followed the coach at discreet distance, and so was "in at the death."

Well, courteous reader, a marriage is by common consent the end of a story, and we have given you two. "We and Our Neighbors," therefore, are ready to receive your congratulations.

THE END.

A List of Books

PUBLISHED BY

J. B. FORD & CO.,

27 Park Place, New York.

For Sale by all Booksellers, or mailed post-paid upon receipt of price by the Publishers.

ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY, BY AUTHORS.

Amelia E. Barr.

Romances and Realities: Tales, Sketches and Papers. 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50.

"Mrs. Barr's strong and cultivated pen has secured for her writings a public welcome and graceful appreciation. She unites the solidity of scholarly study with the graces of a style fitted both to instruct and please her readers."—Christian at Work.

Catharine E. Beecher.

Principles of Domestic Science as Applied to the Duties and Pleasures of Home. 1 vol. 12mo. Profusely Illustrated. Cloth, $2.

Prepared with a view to assist in training young women for the distinctive duties which inevitably come upon them in household life, this volume has been made with especial reference to the duties, cares, and pleasures of the family, as being the place where, whatever the political developments of the future, woman, from her nature of body and of spirit, will find her most engrossing occupation. It is full of interest for all intelligent girls and young women.

Educational Reminiscences and Suggestions. The fruit of more than half a century of unremitting and successful labor for the education of women, this is of great interest to educators. 16mo. $1.00.

"The book is of course forcibly written, and is full of interest."—Hartford Courant.

Edward Beecher, D.D.

History of Opinions of the Scriptural Doctrine of Retribution. In Preparation.

The appearance of this book is awaited with very great and manifest interest. An eminent authority speaks of it as "A series which opens up the thought of the early Church on the subject of universal salvation with great clearness, and gives the result of life-long research, on a subject of great interest to every believer."

Henry Ward Beecher.

Sermons, from Phonographic Reports by T. J. Ellinwood, for fifteen years Mr. Beecher's Special Reporter. Uniformly bound in dark brown English cloth. Each volume contains twenty-six Sermons, and the Prayers before the Sermons. Ten vols. 8vo. Cloth, $2.50 each. The Set, $22.50.

Each volume contains six months' sermons (from 450 to 500 pp.), issued in uniform style. The First Series has an excellent steel portrait of Mr. Beecher; the Second Series, a fine interior view of Plymouth Church. The other volumes are not illustrated.

"These corrected sermons of perhaps the greatest of living preachers—a man whose heart is as warm and catholic as his abilities are great, and whose sermons combine fidelity and scriptural truth, great power, glorious imagination, fervid rhetoric, and vigorous reasoning, with intense human sympathy and robust common-sense."—British Quarterly Review.

"There is not a discourse in all this large collection that does not hold passages of great suggestiveness and power for the most ordinary, unsympathizing reader—illustrations of great beauty and point, eloquent invitations to better life, touching appeals to nobler purposes and more generous action."—Springfield Republican.

Yale Lectures on Preaching. Delivered before the classes of theology and the faculty of the Divinity School of Yale College. Uniform edition of the Author's Works.

First Series, Winter of 1872—The Personal Elements which bear an important relation to Preaching. 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth, $1.25.

Second Series, Winter of 1873—Social and Religious Machinery of the Church as related to preaching. 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50.

Third Series, Winter of 1874—Methods of Using Christian Doctrines, in their relations to individual dispositions and the wants of the community. 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50.

The three volumes in neat box, $4.00.

"Full of common-sense and a knowledge of human nature, and admirably adapted to meet wants in preachers which no other writer can so well supply."—Watchman and Reflector.

"Marvelous exhibitions of deep piety, sound sense, quick wit, and fervid address; interesting to all Christian readers—invaluable to the beginning preacher."—Prof. H. N. Day, College Courant.

Star Papers: or, Experiences of Art and Nature. New Edition, with many additional Papers. Uniform Edition of the Author's Works. 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth, $1.75.

"We have nothing in the way of descriptive writing, not even the best sketches of Washington Irving, that exceeds in richness of imagery and perspicuity of statement these 'Star Papers.'"—Methodist Home Journal.

"A book to be read and re-read, and always with a fresh sense of enjoyment."—Portland Press.

"So full of rural life, so sparkling with cheerfulness, so holy in their tenderness, and so brave in nobility of thought."—Liberal Christian.

Lectures to Young Men on Various Important Subjects. New Edition, with additional Lectures. Uniform Edition of the Author's Works. 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50.

"Wise and elevating in tone, pervaded by earnestness, and well fitted for its mission to improve and benefit the youth of the land."—Boston Commonwealth.

"Written with all the vigor of style and beauty of language which characterize everything from the pen of this remarkable man. They are a series of fearless dissertations upon every-day subjects, conveyed with a power of eloquence and a practical illustration so unique as to be oftentimes startling."—Philadelphia Enquirer.

Pleasant Talk About Fruits, Flowers, and Farming. New Edition, with much additional matter. Uniform Edition of the Author's Works. 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth, $2.00.

A delightful book. The poetry and prose of Beecher's Farm and Garden experiences.

"Not merely readable and instructive, but singularly fascinating in its magnetic style."—Philadelphia Press.

Norwood: or, Village Life in New England. A Novel. Uniform Edition of the Author's Works; also, uniform with J. B. F. & Co.'s Novel Series. 1 vol. 12mo. Illustrated, $2.00.

"Embodies more of the high art of fiction than any half dozen of the best novels of the best authors of the day. It will bear to be read and re-read as often as Dickens's 'Dombey' or 'David Copperfield.'"—Albany Evening Journal.

"The book is wholesome and delightful, to be taken up again and yet again with fresh pleasure."—Chicago Standard.

Lecture Room Talks. A Series of Familiar Discourses, on Themes of Christian Experience. Phonographically reported by T. J. Ellinwood. Uniform Edition of the Author's Works. 1 vol. 12mo. With Steel Portrait. Price, $1.75.

"It is easy to see why the old-fashioned prayer-meeting has been replaced by that eager and crowded assembly which throngs the Plymouth Lecture Room each Friday evening."—New York Evangelist.

The Overture of Angels. A Series of Pictures of the Angelic Appearances Attending the Nativity of Our Lord. A Chapter from the "Life of Christ." Illustrated. 1 vol. 12mo. $2.00.

A beautiful and characteristically interesting treatment of all the events recorded in the Gospels as occurring about the time of the Nativity. Full of poetic imagery, beauty of sentiment, and vivid pictures of the life of the Orient in that day.

"The style, the sentiment, and faithfulness to the spirit of the Biblical record with which the narrative is treated are characteristic of its author."—Worcester (Mass.) Spy.

"A perfect fragment."—N.Y. World.

English and American Speeches on Politics, War, and various miscellaneous topics. Uniform Edition of the Author's Works. 1 vol. 12mo. In preparation.

This will include all of the more important of Mr. Beecher's Speeches which have been preserved.

Eyes and Ears: or, Thoughts as They Occur, by One Who Keeps his Eyes and Ears Open. New Edition. Uniform Edition of the Author's Works. 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth. In preparation.

Royal Truths. This is a selected gathering of papers, passages, illustrations, descriptions, from sermons, speeches, prayer-meeting discourses, writings, etc., which has had a large sale both in England and America. The New Edition will be enlarged by the addition of much new matter of interest, Uniform Edition of the Author's Works. 1 vol. 12mo. In preparation.

Views and Experiences of Religious Matters. Originally published as a second collection of religious "Star Papers," these admirable and helpful articles will be added to by others, heretofore unpublished. Uniform Edition of the Author's Works. 1 vol. 12mo. In preparation.

Thomas K. Beecher.

Our Seven Churches. Eight Lectures. 1 vol. 16mo. Paper, 50 cts.; Cloth, $1.00.

A most valuable exponent of the doctrines of the leading religious denominations, and a striking exhibition of the author's magnanimity and breadth of loving sympathy.

"The sermons are written in a style at once brilliant, epigrammatic, and readable."—Utica Herald.

"This little book has created considerable discussion among the religious journals, and will be read with interest by all."—Phila. Ledger.

"There is hardly a page which does not offer a fresh thought, a genial touch of humor, or a suggestion at which the reader's heart leaps up with grateful surprise that a minister belonging to a sect can think and speak so generously and nobly."—Milwaukee Sentinel.

A. H. Bogardus.

Field, Cover, and Trap Shooting. By the Champion Wing Shot of America. Edited by Chas. J. Foster. 1 vol. 12mo. With Steel Portrait of the Author, and an Engraving of the Champion Medal. Cloth, $2.00.

A compendium of many years of experience, giving hints for skilled marksmen and instructions for young sportsmen, describing the haunts and habits of game birds, flight and resorts of water fowl, breeding and breaking of dogs, and everything of interest to the sportsman. The author is "champion wing-shot of America," who knows a gun as Hiram Woodruff knew a horse. And he has the same careful and competent editor who put Woodruff's "Trotting Horse of America" into shape—Chas. J. Foster, so many years sporting editor of Wilkes' Spirit of the Times.

"No sportsman can peruse this book without profit and instruction; while to the young beginner with the gun, and to the amateur who can spend but a few months in the year in this healthful and delightful pursuit, it will be invaluable."—Wilkes' Spirit.

Henry Churton.

Toinette: A Tale of Transition. 1 vol. 12mo. Extra Cloth, Fancy Stamped Ink and Gilt Side. $1.50.

Not only a brilliant picture of individual life, full of stirring scenes and emotional characters, but a graphic delineation of slave-life and emancipation, by one who lived under the old régime at the South, and saw it give place to the new. Companion piece to "Uncle Tom's Cabin," this powerful novel finishes what that great work began.

"Clearly conceived and told with power.... There is not a prosy chapter in the book. The author grasps the elements of his story with a firm hand and combines them into vivid scenes."—Liberal Christian.

"Absolutely thrilling in some of its situations and delineations."—Chicago Evening Journal.

"A remarkable book. It is fascinating, thrilling, and its scenes are vivid as the lightnings."—Atlanta (Ga.,) Methodist Advocate.

Mrs. S. M. Davis.

The Life and Times of Sir Philip Sidney. A New and Revised Edition, with Index, etc. Three steel plates; Portrait of Sidney; View of Penshurst Castle; and Fac-simile of Sidney's manuscript. 12mo. Silk Cloth, Beveled Boards, Stamped with Sidney's Coat-of-Arms in Ink and Gold, $1.50.

"An elaborate sketch of a most interesting character."—Chicago Evening Journal.

"Its binding is exquisitely chaste."—N.Y. World.

"Beautifully complete in every detail."—New Haven Journal & Courier.

Edward Eggleston.

The Circuit Rider: A Tale of the Heroic Age. Author of "The Hoosier Schoolmaster," etc. Illustrated with over thirty characteristic drawings by G. G. White and Sol Eytinge. 1 vol. 12mo. Extra Cloth, Gilt, and Ink-Stamped Covers, $1.75.

This story is exciting widespread interest, both as a powerful novel and genuine love-story, and as a graphic picture of the West in the adventurous days of saddle-bags and circuit-riding preachers.

"The breezy freshness of the Western prairie blended with the refinements of literary culture. It is alive with the sound of rushing streams and the echoes of the forest, but shows a certain graceful self-possession which betrays the presence of the artist's power."—N. Y. Tribune.

"It is his best work; a grand story; a true picture of the past and of itinerant life in the old times of simplicity and hardship."—N. Y. Methodist.

"The best American story, and the most thoroughly American one, that has appeared for years."—Phila. Evening Bulletin.

Ferdinand Fabbre.

The Abbe Tigrane, Candidate for the Papacy. Translated from the French by Rev. Leonard Woolsey Bacon. 18mo. Cloth, $1.50.

One of the most brilliant satires of the day. An entertaining and exciting tale, giving the mode of French ecclesiastical life and of Romish political intrigue in Europe.

Rev. T. A. Goodwin, A.M.

The Mode of Man's Immortality: or, The When, Where and How of the Future Life. Author of "The Perfect Man," and late Editor of "The Indiana Christian Advocate." 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth, $1.25.

"Certainly shows with great force the well-nigh insuperable difficulties attending the common opinions of the resurrection of the actual body that is placed in the dust, and develops quite a consistent and interesting theory in reference to the nature of the resurrection life."—Zion's Herald.

Robertson Gray.

Brave Hearts. A Novel. By Robertson Gray (R. W. Raymond). 1 vol. 12mo. Illustrated. Cloth. $1.75.

A characteristic American tale, with Illustrations by Darley, Stephens, Frank Beard, and Kendrick.

"About as pure, breezy, and withal, readable a story of American life as we have met with this long time."—Congregationalist.

"Its pictures of the strange life of those early California days are simply admirable, quite as good as anything Bret Harte has written."—Lit. World.

Grace Greenwood.

New Life in New Lands. Notes of Travel Across the American Continent, from Chicago to the Pacific and Back. 1 vol. 12mo. $2.00.

This is a gathered series of letters, racy, brilliant, piquant; full of keen observation and pungent statement of facts, picturesque in delineation of scenes on the plains, in the mountains, and along the sea.

"Among the best of the author's productions, and every way delightful."—Boston Post.

"The late William H. Seward characterized her account of Mormons and Mormonism as the most graphic and trustworthy he had ever read."—Methodist Home Journal.

"Grace always finds lots of things no one else would see; and she has a happy knack of picking up the mountains and cities and big trees and tossing them across the continent right before the reader's eyes. It's very convenient."—Buffalo Express.

Heads and Tails: Studies and Stories of Pets. Square 16mo. Illustrated. Extra Cloth, Beveled Boards, Elaborate Gilt and Ink-Stamped Sides, Gilt Edges, $2.00.

"It consists of a dozen or more of her delightfully bright sketches, mostly having the charm of personal experiences, in which she pictures in her own inimitable way, so full of wit, of pathos, of good sense, of tenderness, and of real rollicking fun, her own adventures, or those of other young and old folks who love animals.... The stories are told in the author's happiest style."—Christian Union.

"Grace Greenwood is gifted with a special knack at story-telling for young folks, and Heads and Tails, with its stories of pet birds, cats, etc., is a delightful book."—Chicago Advance.

"We don't know where there is pleasanter reading than in these stories of pets."—Boston Commonwealth.

Rev. S. B. Halliday.

Winning Souls. Sketches and Incidents During Forty Years of Pastoral Work. 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth, $1.00.

The author of this volume for some time past has been, and now is, engaged as assistant in the pastoral labors of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn (Rev. H. W. Beecher's), where, in visiting among the sick, the poor, and the afflicted of that large parish, he is continually encountering new and interesting phases of heart-life. These simple records of scenes among his earlier labors possess a peculiar interest.

"Full of valuable suggestions to ministers in the department of active duty."—Methodist Recorder.

"The book is tenderly written, and many of its pathetic scenes will be read with moistened eyes. We recommend the book to pastors and people."—Boston Christian Era.

The Little Street-Sweeper: or, Life among the Poor. 1 vol. 12mo. Illustrated. In preparation.

Joseph W. Long.

American Wild-Fowl Shooting. 1 vol. 12mo. Illustrated. Fancy Stamped Cloth, $2.00.

A book of practical specific instruction as to the different species, habits, haunts and pursuits of wild-fowl, the building and use of blinds, boats, decoys, &c., the training of water-retrievers, and many miscellaneous hints of great value to hunters of wild game-fowl. Full of admirable descriptions, adventure, &c., &c. The only book of the kind in the English Language.

"We know of no book that treats so fully as this of the habits of our inland wild-fowl and the methods of hunting them."—Phila. Enquirer.

Amelia Perrier.

A Good Match. A Novel. Author of "Mea Culpa." 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50.

A clever and amusing Novel, agreeably written, racy, and lively.

"A very readable love story, tenderly told."—Hearth and Home.

"The characters appear and act with a real life."—Providence Press.

S. S. Randall, A.M.

(Superintendent of Public Education in New York City.)

History of the State of New York, from the Date of the Discovery and Settlements on Manhattan Island to the Present Time. A Text-Book for High Schools, Academies, and Colleges. 1 vol. 12mo. Illustrated. Cloth, $1.75.

Officially adopted by the Boards of Education in the cities of New York, Brooklyn, and Jersey City, for use in the Public Schools; and in Private Schools throughout the State.

Rossiter W. Raymond, Ph. D.

U.S. Commissioner Mining Statistics; Pres't. Am. Inst. Mining Engineers; Editor Engineering and Mining Journal; Author of "Mines, Mills, and Furnaces," etc., etc.

Silver and Gold: An Account of the Mining and Metallurgical Industry of the United States, with reference chiefly to the Precious Metals. 1 vol. 8vo. Cloth, $3.50.

"Valuable and exhaustive work on a theme of great import to the world of industry."—Philadelphia Inquirer.

"A repository of much valuable current information:"—N. Y. Tribune.

Mining Industry of the States and Territories West of the Rocky Mountains; including Descriptions of Quartz, Placer, and Hydraulic Mining; Amalgamation, Concentration, Smelting, etc. Illustrated with nearly one hundred Engravings and Maps, and a Colored Geological Map of the United States, 1 vol. 8vo. Cloth, $4.50.

"Recognized in this country and in Europe as professionally authoritative and interesting to a remarkable degree."—Washington Chronicle.

The Man in the Moon and Other People. Square 16mo., Illustrated. Extra Cloth, beveled boards, handsome gilt and ink stamped sides, gilt edges, $2.00.

Twenty of Ros. Raymond's best stories, some published before, others not. They embrace Fairy Stories, Wonder Stories, Christmas Stories, Thanksgiving Stories, Stories of Adventure, of War, of Love, Stories about Dogs, about Birds, about Boys and about Girls—and all bright, witty, engaging and delightful.

The Brooklyn Eagle says: "His tales have won great popularity by their wit, delicate fancy, and admirable good sense."

Sarah Bridges Stebbins.

The Poetry of Pets. 1 vol. Square 12mo. Illustrated. In preparation.

Harriet Beecher Stowe.

My Wife and I: Or, Harry Henderson's History. A Novel. Illustrated. 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth, $1.75.

This charming novel is, in some respects, Mrs. Stowe's most thoughtful and complete book. It is eminently a book for the times, giving the author's individual ideas about the much-vexed Woman Question, including marriage, divorce, suffrage, legislation, and all the rights claimed by the clamorous.

"A capital story, in which fashionable follies are shown up, fast young ladies weighed in the balance and found wanting, and the value of true worth exhibited."—Portland Argus.

"Always bright, piquant, and entertaining, with an occasional touch of tenderness, strong because subtle, keen in sarcasm, full of womanly logic directed against unwomanly tendencies."—Boston Journal.

We and Our Neighbors: Or, The Records of an Unfashionable Street. A Sequel to "My Wife and I." 1 vol. Illustrated by Alfred Fredericks. 12mo. Cloth, $1.75.

As fresh, witty and charming in style as all of Mrs. Stowe's works are.

A Volume of Religious Meditative Articles, very helpful and spiritual in their tone. In preparation.

T. S. Verdi, A.M., M.D.

Maternity: A Popular Treatise for Wives and Mothers. Fifth edition. 1 vol. 12mo. $2.25.

This book has arisen from a want felt in the author's own practice, as a monitor to young wives, a guide to young mothers, and an assistant to the family physician. It deals skillfully, sensibly and delicately with the perplexities of married life, giving information which women must have, either in conversation with physicians or from such a source as this. Plain and intelligible, but without offence to the most fastidious taste, the style of this book must commend it to careful perusal. It treats of the needs, dangers, and alleviations of the holy duties of maternity, and gives extended, detailed instructions for the care and medical treatment of infants and children throughout all the perils of early life.

"The author deserves great credit for his labor, and the book merits an extensive circulation."—U.S. Medical and Surgical Journal (Chicago).

"We hail the appearance of this work with true pleasure. It is dictated by a pure and liberal spirit, and will be a real boon to many a young mother."—American Medical Observer (Detroit.)

"There are few intelligent mothers who will not be benefited by reading and keeping by them for frequent counsel a volume so rich in valuable suggestions. With its tables, prescriptions, and indexes at the end, this book ought to do much good."—Hearth and Home.

27 Park Place, New York.