The Arkansas banner., 1843-11-25
JENNY ANp THE WATeH.


 In some of the country parts of seesland, a custom prevails of young men glylng theiF watches in trust to young women for whom l they have declared their attachment. The watch is kent and carried in the bosom ot 1 the fair ona untl the anxious couple are unl- ted in the bonds of wedlock, when, as mat ] ter of course, the pledge of sincerity IS given up to the original owner. This Is imagined by the country Iasses to be an infinitely better plan for securing the fidelity of sweethearis, than that of breaking sixPence. 4 watch Is a valuable and highly prized arti- ele l. is worth at least q couple ofpoands, and the loss of that sum by an individual Ill an humble condition of life; Is q very serious matter. Still, we believe there are cases in which the proposed match is broken of, and the watch abandoned forever-though, doubt less, this Is only in cases of great fekleness, or when weighty reasons for desertion inter yene.
 The following Imaginable incident regard ing watch so intrusted, occurred a few years ago
 Jenny Symington, well-lavored, spright- ly girl, in certain farmhouse in Galloway, had been intrusted with the watch of her sweetheart, Tam Halliday, ia neighboring shepherd, which she carried with the most scrupuious care, ii her bosom; but even the most carefully kept articles, will sometimes disappear in spite of all the precautions con sidered necessary to preserve them. Jenny, be 1t known, was esteemed first rate hand at preparing potatoes for the family supper none could excel her at serving them up, beaten and mashed in the most tempting style. On one occasion, m harvest, when the kitchen was crowded with number of shearers waiting for their evening meal, and while Jenny was beating mess of potatoes, what did the unlucky watch dc but drop from her bosom-chain, seals and alI--into the pot among the potatoes Jenny's head being turned away at the moment, she knew nothing of the disaster, and therefore eontin- ued to beat on at her task. She certainly felt little surprised when she felt there was still hard potatoe to beat, notwithstanding her previous diligence; but thinking nothing of 1t, she continued to beat, occasionally giv- ing the hard potatoe (alias the watch) hard thump with the end efthe beetle. Atlength, she thought she had fairly completed the bu- siness; and SO, inlusiag a large jar of sweet milk into the mess, she stirred t all up to- gether, and then placed the vessel ready for the attack of hungry foolers-on.
 Behold, then, the pot-a round gaWso tri- pod, planted in the middle of the floor. I circle was formed round 1t in a triee, and horn fog horn the shearers began to stretch and strive. Many mouthfuls had not been taken before certain queer looks were mani fested
 s.Diels in the taties," says one, '' think they've get banes in them.7
 sBanes p says another, .'they7re the fun niest banes ever saw; they're made Q bre- ken glass and pieces O brass; Fl sup nae mair O them.n
 With that, another rprodueed a silver watch case, all battered and useless, from his capa- cioas horn spoon and a universal strike among the suppers immediately ensued. l. was clear that watch had been beaten Up with the potatoes; so the good wife had no- thing for 1t but to order the disgraced pot out of the way, and to place basket of oatmeal cakes and milk in its place.
 What were poor Jenny's feelings during the strange deaouemeat2 On the first ap- pearance of the fragments of the watch, she slipped her hand to her bosom, and soon found how matters stood. She had the for titude, however, to show Ho symptoms of surprise; and, although every one was won dering where the broken watch had come from, she did not disclose her knowledge of how Ii had found its way ia the pot. As 1t had belonged to no one in the house, the were not identified: and as Jenny was young woman of great prudence and and had never shown any one that she had watch in her possession, no one teazed her about 1t In short time the noise of the circumstance died away, but not till 1t had gone over the neighborhood that the family had watch in the petatoe pot, and among others, 1t came to the ears of the owner, Tam Halliday, who was highly pleas with the conduct of his beloved Jenny; for he thought that if she had cried or sobbed, and told to whom the watch belonged, 1t would have brought ridicale on them both. Tam was, in short, delighted with the way the matter had been managed, and he thought the watch was well lost, though t had been ten times the value
 Whatever Tam's ideas were on the sub iect, Jenny felt conscious that 1t was her du- y to replace the watch. Accordingly, next time she met her lover, she allowed no time to elapse before she thus addressed him.
 .sNow, Tam, ye ken very well how have demolished your good silver watch but it Is needless to regret what cannot be helped. shall pay you for 1t every farthing. The one half will give yoa when l get my half years wages at Martlemas, and the other half soon: as my brother has avn me threa pounds, which he has promised to pay me alore the next Fastern's e'en fair.n
 "My dear Jenny,p said the young man, taking her kindly by the hand, q beg you will say nothing about that ridiculous affair. l do not care farthing for the loss of the8 watch, nlair by token; have gotten 9 riseia my wages frao the new laird, for l maun tell | ye Pm now appointed chief herd in the Gas Hope Howsoever, to take any payment rom you, to rob you of your haFdwon pen y y fec, fee #eslld be disgraeefal No,no, will ake none of your wages bat there IS one !. [ LII ;f x.,,t xrilliOr. a01