first days of
September often are, and when the sun went down, the full silvery moon
came softly up, as if to shower her blessings upon the nuptials about
to be celebrated. Many and brilliant lights were flashing from the
windows of Mrs. Mason's cottage, which seemed to enlarge its
dimensions as one after another the guests came in. First and foremost
was the widow with her rustling silk of silver gray, and the red
ribbons which she had sported at Sally Ann's wedding. After a series
of manoeuvres she had succeeded in gaining a view of the supper table,
and now in a corner of the room she was detailing the particulars to
an attentive group of listeners.

"The queerest things I ever see," said she, "and the queerest names,
too. Why, at one end of the table is a _muslin de laine puddin'_--"

"A what?" asked three or four ladies in the same breath, and the widow
replied,--"May-be I didn't get the name right,--let me see:--No, come
to think, it's a _Charlotte_ somebody puddin' instead of a muslin de
laine. And then at t'other end of the table is what I should call a
dish of _hash_, but Judith says it's 'chicken Sally,' and it took the
white meat of six or seven chickens to make it. Now what in the world
they'll ever do with all them legs and backs and things, is more'n I
can tell, but, land sake there come some of the _puckers_. Is my cap
on straight?" she continued, as Mrs. Campbell entered the room,
together with Ella, and a number of Boston ladies.

Being assured that her cap was all right, she resumed the
conversation by directing the attention of those nearest her to Ella,
and saying in a whisper, "If she hain't faded in a year, then I don't
know; but, poor thing, she's been disappointed, so it's no wonder!"
and thinking of her own experience with Mr. Parker, the widow's heart
warmed toward the young girl, who, pale and languid, dropped into the
nearest seat, while her eyes moved listlessly about the room. The
rich, showy dresses of the city people also, came in for observation,
and while the widow marvelled at their taste in wearing "collars as
big as capes," she guessed that Mary'd feel flat in her checkered
silk, when she came to see every body so dressed up.

And now guest after guest flitted down the narrow staircase and
entered the parlor, which with the bedroom adjoining was soon filled.
Erelong Mr. Selden, who seemed to be master of ceremonies appeared,
and whispered something to those nearest the door. Imm