simplest and quietest wedding,--at home, on an August
morning. Farmer Meadows then drove the bridal pair half-way on their
journey, to the old country tavern, where a fresh conveyance had been
engaged for them. The same evening they reached the farm-house in the
valley, and Jacob's happy mood gave place to an anxious uncertainty as
he remembered the period of deception upon which Susan was entering.
He keenly watched his father's face when they arrived, and was a little
relieved when he saw that his wife had made a good first impression.

"So, this is my new housekeeper," said the old man. "I hope you will
suit me as well as your husband does."

"I'll do my best, sir," said she; "but you must have patience with me
for a few days, until I know your ways and wishes."

"Mr. Flint," said Sally, "shall I get supper ready?" Susan looked up in
astonishment at hearing the name.

"Yes," the old man remarked, "we both have the same name. The fact is,
Jacob and I are a sort of relations."

Jacob, in spite of his new happiness, continued ill at ease, although
he could not help seeing how his father brightened under Susan's genial
influence, how satisfied he was with her quick, neat, exact ways and the
cheerfulness with which she fulfilled her duties. At the end of a week,
the old man counted out the wages agreed upon for both, and his delight
culminated at the frank simplicity with which Susan took what she
supposed she had fairly earned.

"Jacob," he whispered when she had left the room, "keep quiet one more
week, and then I'll let her know."

He had scarcely spoken, when Susan burst into the room again, crying,
"Jacob, they are coming, they have come!"

"Who?"

"Father and mother; and we didn't expect them, you know, for a week
yet."

All three went to the door as the visitors made their appearance on
the veranda. Two of the party stood as if thunderstruck, and two
exclamations came together:

"Samuel Flint!"

"Lucy Wheeler!"

There was a moment's silence; then the farmer's wife, with a visible
effort to compose herself, said, "Lucy Meadows, now."

The tears came into Samuel Flint's eyes. "Let us shake hands, Lucy," he
said: "my son has married your daughter."

All but Jacob were freshly startled at these words. The two shook hands,
and then Samuel, turning to Susan's father, said: "And this is your
husband, Lucy. I am glad to make his acquaintance."

"Your father, Jacob!" Susan cried; "what does it all mean?