Yet
her joy at discovering her father increased her happiness almost to
overflowing. "I am more blest than most girls," she declared. "I have
two fathers, and while I will learn to love my new father, I will not
forget to love my old father."
The marriage of Fernando and Morgianna was celebrated the following
autumn at the new church which had been erected over the Ashes of the
former one. Both of Morgianna's fathers were present; but to her real
father was consigned the honor of giving away the bride.
Terrence and Sukey were present. The Irishman declared the matter might
have been consummated long ago if they had only left it to him.
The wedding day was made a public holiday in the village. Never in all
its existence was the little hamlet so gay. Bands played, choruses sang,
and the old cannon, still left at the tumble-down fort, fired a salute,
while American flags waved from every house. The local orator, who still
entertained hopes of the legislature, delivered a stirring address.
Job, who heard of the happy event, came all the way from Baltimore to
shake the hand of "Massa Stevens" and wish him much joy.
"I iz all right now, massa," he declared. "I iz found my own sure enough
massa agin, an' I'm goin' back to work for him all de time. No more
goin' to sea fer me; I iz no Britisher."
Fernando and his father-in-law, soon after his marriage, engaged in
manufacturing enterprises in New England, with Captain Lane as the
silent partner and moneyed man of the enterprise.
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