noon
After some account of the marriage and of bride and groom , the story went on as follows : -- `` At midnight the charivari was heard -- a noisy beating of pans and pots in the door-yard of the unhappy groom , who flung sticks of wood from the window , and who finally dispersed the crowd with an old shotgun . Bright and early next day came the milkman -- a veteran of the war of 1812 -- who , agreeably with his custom , sounded the call of boots and saddles on his battered bugle at Brown 's door . But none came to open it . The noon hour passed with no sign of life in the old house . '' ` Suthin ' hes happened over there , ' said his nearest neighbour , peering out of the window . ` Mebbe they 've fit an ' disabled each other . ' '' ` You 'd better go an ' rap on the door , ' said his wife .