Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-10-18

was nigh, except IN old phtrlarchal elm,
whose antique bod 3 expanding at the root,
as is not uncommon, to a great size, a few
feet from the ground, inclosed hollow cav
ity, into which he placed Fanny without
ceremony, as the big drops began to fall a.
pace There was, perhaps, room enough for
both, but Gideon stood modestly outside. in
a direction to keep off from her as much OF
the rain as possible. But when Fanny saw
the rain pelting him from head to foot, and
the flashes of lightning playing about him,
she felt her heart reproach her, and insisted
on his coming inside.
@You forget I am wet already" said he.
Yet he obeyed her notwithstanding. They
were thus placed face to face, and so close
that they actually breathed upon each other,
which every body knowsi is very critical
position. Gideon was sorely melted to try
whether the balmy gale really came from
the ruby lips that almost touched his; but
the recollection of the terrible set down he got
on a certain memorable occasion, quelled
his mischievous tempter, and he remained
ke statue, sometimes looking up the hol-
low Of the tree, with an appearance of great
curiosity, and sometimes out, expressing, like
a great blockhead as he was, his extreme
solicitude for the clearing up Of the storm.
What the deuce put it into fanny's head, no
body knows, but she suddenly--just after
great clap of thunder-asked Gideon ii he
had heard that Miss Jones was Just going to
be m arried to Mr.. Smith.
Ma" replied he. wincing. ii under
stood she had refused HIM some months
ago" .-
10. yes! but you know she may have
changed her mind since. She ted me she
thought he was rather hasty. in his frs,
offer. as they had hardly had time TO be-
como acquaintances. much less lovers; but
Mr.. Smith persevered. und Miss Jones
finding that he was not SO for "ard rs ,he
first though, him. when he offered himself f
,he second time they met, has accepted
him at last"
81 think Mr.. Smith wns great fool to
risk second refusal. For my part, il a
woman rejected me orce, | should think
myself great foil to expose myself to
her scorn and ridicule second time
20 Gidenn-G Gideonl | Didn't mean 10
wound your feelings SO deepl.!' exclaim-
ed Fanny. aud what more she would have
added was Gu, short BY fash Of lightning
that appeared tn sha,ter the universe, ac-
companied by n burst Of thunder that SEEM
ed little less than the crash Of lis falling
RUNS. The old tree which had stood un-
sca,hed for centuries, now me, that fnle
which age had so long threa,ened; IFS limbs
were shivered to atoms, and the electric
fire passed down tie outside nnd lore up
the earth u, its foot.
"Denres, FannI:" cried Gideon-and
..Dearesl Gidenn!" exclaimed Fanny. ns
she cast herself forward INTO his arms, al
most insensible. This seemed tine last dy-
ing speech OF the storm. The last cloud
passed over with it. and in an instant the
glorious sun looked ou, smilingly OH the
earth, which was sparkling with jewels
Fanny and Gideon returned together in
silence, except that eyes are sometimes
said to speak: and the former, on being in
terroga,ed by. the squire rs to where she
had been. answered mischievously-
''in hollow tree, father."
'And what. in the name Of sense.
brought you ihere?"
.'Fhe storm. SIR"
"Poor girl! And were you all alone by
yourself in that terrible thunder and light
ning?"
mo, sir-Gideon was with me-"
ale was1 How came he so wet, and
you so perfectly dry?'
"Why. sir-he jumped into the river
after my bonnet"
"Hum-ha-um-,hi seems very like
cock and bull! story-jumping into The
river-hollow tree-what hollow lree?"
"Why, sir, the old elm tree, at the side
Of the road, about two or three hundred
yards from the bridge"
"Ah! yes-hum-l remember hiding
there when boy. But. zounds. Fanny,
you must have been pretty close together.
for i, was just large enough for me at that
time!"
''Oh! but my dear fa,her-you can't
think how much bigger j, has grown
since!' replied Fanny. blushing. half in
Jest and half in earnest. half in nodesly
and half in triumph. so that there were
four halves TO her blush.
The squire, in the end, insisted on know
ing the whole story, which Fanny. with
selt:denial almost supernatural, committed
TO Gideon, who, after rela,ng all the par
ticuIars. suddenly electrified the old squire
by beseeching him to bestow his adopted
daughter on him MS vile. notwilhstand-
ing Fanny held up her finger ut him. and
exclaimed
"Beware remember the skein
Of lhf cad and The snuifersn
"What-aye-yesi- remember the
snuffers. see It all now-,he youngsler
was just falling over head and ears in love.
and that made him such u fool. Blu, what
shall do for a nurse when you are mar.
ried; and how can live all alone in my
old age. with nobody to take care Of me
bu, that internal old woman, Miss Goggin?
All! t-wont do. Besides. whal's the use
of your being in such hurry; better put
it off few yeurs."
My dear father, will still be your
nurse. | will not leave you, but continue
to live with you. ard take care OF you. till
one or both of US die.''
"By the Lord flarry-so you CAMP
exclaimed The squire, rubbing his hands
but his coun,enance suddenly fell. as he
added-"but then you will have enough Of
your own 10 take care Of, let alone me-yes