The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-04-17

"No, no, father; bless your heart,
that was his grandfather, that's been
dead and gone these twenty years.
"Ho-butwhere doeshs come iromi''
SHOWN town." ~ :. 9fn
"Ho--what does he follow for liv.
ing?" ( y ~ . i
And he did not stop asking questions
after this sort till all the particulars Of
the BeedIe family were published and
proclaimed in Mrs. jones' speech. He
then sunk back into his doze again.
The dog stretched himself before one
andiron, and the catsquat down before
the other. Silence came on by degrees
like calm snow storm, till nothing was
head but a cricke: under the hearth
keeping time with a sappy birch FORE
stick. Sally sat up as prim as if she
was pinned to the chair back: her hands
crossed genteely upon her lap and her
eyes looking straight into the fire.
Nanny Jones tried to straighten her.
self too, and laid her hands across in
her lap. But they would not lay still.
1t was full twenty-four hours since they
had done any work, and they were out
of all patience of keeping Sunday. Do
what she would to keep them quiet,
they would bounce up now and then,
and 60 through the motions in spite of
the fourth commandment. For my part
| sat looking very much like a fool;--
the more tried to say something, the
more my tongue stuck fast. put my
right leg over my left, an d said "Hem."
Then l changed, and put my left lex
over the right. 1t was no use-the
silence kept coming on thicker and
thicker. The drops ofsweat began to
crawl all over me. | got my eyes on
my hat hanging on peg on the road to
the door. At this moment the Captain
all at once sung out, "Johnny BeedIe."
1t sounded like clap Of thunder, and
started right up on an end. dr
"Johnny Beedle, you'll never handle
such drum-stick as your father did, if
yer live to the age of Methusaler. He
would toss up bis drum-stick, and while
it was whirling up in the air, take off "a
gill er rum, then ktch it as it came
down without losing a stroke in the
tune. What do you think Of that, hat
But scull your chair round close along
side er me, so yer can hear. Now
what have you come a'ter?" t.liyg
81 alter? Oh, just takin' walk"
"Pleasant Walkin'. ruess.n l+-
81 mean just to see the folks--how
they all dor"
"Ha! That's another lie-you've
come courtin', Johnny Beedle-you
are arter Sal. Say, now, dye want to
marry, or only to courtg" s.'A-
That was what l call a choker--
Poor Sally made but one jump, and
landed in the middle of the kitchen:
and then she skulked into the dark cor
ner till the old man, after laughing HIM
self into whooping-cough, was putto
bed.
Then apples and cider: and the ice
being broken, plenty of chat with
Nanny Jones about the minister and
the sermon followed. agreed with
her to nicety upon all the points of
doctrines; but | had forgot the text and
all the heads of the discourse but six.
Then she teased and tormented me to
tell who I thought the best singer in the
gallery that day. But mum there
was no getting that out Of me. "Praise
to the face is often disgrace," says l,
throwing a squint at Sally. -
At last Mrs. Jones lighted another
candle, and after charging Sally to look
well to the fire, she led the way to bed,
and the Squire gathered up his shoes
and stockings and followed.
Sally and were left sitting good
yard apart, honest measure. For fear
Of getting tongue.tied again, set right
in with steady stream of talk. told
her each and all the particulars ofths
weather that was past, and also made
some pretty cute guesses at what it
was likely to be in future. At first, I
gave hitch up with my chair at every
full stop: then, growing saucy, l re-
peated it at every coma and semicol-
on: and at last 1t was hitch, hitch hitch.
and planted myself right by the side
Of her. esal99 oif e t
'lswow, Sally, you looked so plaguy
handsome to-day, that wanted to eat
you up.",d I'll -sf Il
"Psaw! get along, you," says she.
My hand had erept along somehow
upon its fingers, and began to scrape
acquaintance with hers She sent it
home with jerk. q ss,a aa
"Try it again. No better luck
Why, Miss Jones, you're getting oh.
maidish, guess"
"Hands off is fair play, Mr.. Besdle."