The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-03-04
COURTSHIP.
Bu John Neal.

After my scigh-ridc, last winter and the slippery
trick was served by Patty Bean, nobody would
suspect me of hankerng after the women again in
hurry. To hear and swear and rail out
against the whole feminine gender, you would have
taken it for granted that should never so much as
look at one again, to all eternity-O, but was
wicked Darn and blast theire reyes'-says /. Blame
their skins torment their hearts and darn them to
darnation.' Finally took oath and swore that
if ever medded or had any dealings with them a
gain, lin the sparkling line mean,) might be
hung and choakcd.
But swearing of from women, and then going
into a meeting house chock full of gals, all shining
and glttcrng in their Sunday clothes and clean fa-
ces is like swearing off from liquor and goig into
grog shop. It's all smoke.
held out and kept firm to my oath for three
whole Sundays. Forcnoons, afternoons, and IN
termissions complete On the fourth, there were
strong symptoms of change of weather chap,
about my size was seen on the way to she meeting
house, with a new patent hat OH his head hung by
the ears upon shirt collar; his cravat had pud-
ding i'm it and branched out in 'front.' into double
bow knot. He carried straight back and still
neck as man ought to when he has his best clothes
on and every time he spit, Inc sprung his body for
ward, like jack knife, in order to shoot clear of
the ruffies
Squire Jones' pew is next but two to minc and
when stand up prayers and take my coat tail un-
der nv arm, and turn my back to the minister, l
naturally look straight at Sally Jones. Now Sally
has got a face not to be grinncd a. in fog. In
decd, as regards beauty, some folks think she can
pull an even yoke with Patty Bean. For my part,
/ think there is not much boot between them. Any
how, they are so nigh matched that they have hated
and dcspised each other like rank poison since
t',cy were school girls. Squire Jones had got his
evening fire on, aud sat himself down to reading the
great bible, when he heard rap at his door. Walk
in.-Well, John, how der do? Git out, Pompey-
Pretty well, thank yc. Squire, how do yoa do
Why, so as to be crawlng--ye ugly beast will "
hold yer yop--haul up a chair and set down, John.
How do yom do, Mrs. Jones Oh midding,
how's yer marin Don't forget the mat there, MIR
Beedlc.' This put me in mind that had been OF
soandings several times, in the long muddy lane
aud my boots were in sweet pickle.
It was now old Capt. Jones' turn, the grandfath
er. Being reused from doze, by the hustle am
rocket, he opened both his eyes at FIRST with wonde
and astonishmcnt. At last he began to halloo $
loud that you might hear him mile (; for he take
it for granted that every body is Just exactly as dca
as he is
Who is it I | say, who in the world is It |! Mr.
Jones going close to his ear, screamed out, il
Johnny BcedIe. Iremcmber he was one summe
at the siege of Boston, No, no, father, bless you
heart, that his grandfather, that's been dead an
gone this twenty years. Ho-But where does b
come 'front.' Daown taown, Ho-And VIII;
does he follow for a lvin' l'-And he did not sto
asking queslons after this sort, till all the particu
lars Of the Bccdlc family were published and pre-
claimed in Mrs Jones last scrcccl-Hc then sun
1 back into his doze again.
/ The dog stretched himself before one andiron
| the cat squat down before the othcr.-Sencc can
on by degrees, like a calm snow storm, till nothn
was heard but a cricket under the hearth, kccpn
tune with sappy yellow birch forcs,'ck. Sally $
up prim, as if she were pinned to the chair back
l.,1. >r,saoxl <rcofceIiv ur,o her Ian. and la