Ponola [sic] weekly register. (Ponola [sic], Miss.) 1843-1843, 1843-05-06
From the Saturday Courier.
The Game of Draughts.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

AOo' Oub oih
'What; gamble your daughter awayr
You can call it by what name you
choose, it matters not 10 me. You must
beat me at game or her hand eannet
be yours.
But that is impossible. You are the
best player within ten miles around,
and know little or nothing'of draughts,
besides having distaste for it.
well, we'll. that is your own look OUT
replied the father with impotence. IF
YOU win her, she is yours; but if you
do not, my word for it, she makes hap
py the bridal evening of a smarter
man.
& tell you, it is useless to talk, John
Graham. My word is passed, and
cannot be moved. If you comply with
my terms, we'll; if not there let the mat
ter end7
This conversation occurred between a
sturdy husbandman, whose farm fringed
the romantic banks Of the Susguehanna,
near the delightful village Of Marietta,
in the interior Of Pennsylvania, and a
young farmer living near by. The
heart Of the latter had been won by An
ma, the blooming daughter of the for
mer and after many days of doubt and
painful misgivings, John Graham, for
that was his name, made bold TO speak
TO the father his desire to possess her
hand.
Surprised, mortified. and discouraged
at his reception, the yeung man left the
house, without a parting word with An
ma, and returned to has own home, gloo-
my and Responding.
For three days, no one saw him be-
yond the bounds Of his own farm. An
ma, who knew, of course his intention
to ask for her hand, was deeply ditress
ed at his sudden departure from the
| house and prolonged absence.
1t was near night-fat Of the third
day, while sitting at the cottage win
| dow that opened towards the road wind
ing up TO the house, that she was start.
led from painful dreamy state, by the
sound Of footsteps, and lifting her head
she perceived that her truant lover was
again returning.
~'Oh, John, why have you staid so
long away?' she said earnestly, as she
bounded out.of the door to meet him.
and why should ! Gomez he replied
modify.
did not my father-7 She
could utter nothing further; but coIoring
deeply, leaned her head upon his shout
der.
'He refused me your hand, AAna!' he
said in an excited tone.
20, no, John he did not do that surely!
SAID the maiden, lifting her head, and
looking him with pale countenance
steadily in the face.
sit amounts to the same thing, Anna.
must beat him at draughts, or you can
never be NINE
John Grahami you are sporting with
met And Anna drew herself up, while
her face, from which the color had SO
suddenly departed, was lighted up with
something of indignation.
AS live, and as | love you, Anna
what say is true7
Then my father but sported with you
in merry mood,' and the maiden tried
to smile carelessly.
He was in earnest said the young
man solenmly.
Then what can he mean?' asked An
ma in perplexed tone
why he means TO deny me you,
hand. He has, no doubt, other views fol
his daughter
For moment Anna stood silent, an,
then leaning her head upon the shout
der of her lover she sobbed aloud, over
come by feelings which she in vain trie,
, TO keep down.
Just at that moment, the sound O
some one approaching, aroused them
and looking up they perceived il TO b
Annals father.
syyu II.