The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-09-26
HOW SETH HAWKINS STOLE THE
OLD LAUY'S NiGlIT-GOWN.

lie Boston NeUS gives US tiie """""'e
as having occurred in one Of the villages OF
the Old Bay Stale. within The recollection OF
The writer. We do not know when we
have enjoyed so hearty laugh, as on read,
inr this inciden, in The life of Seth Hawkins
Sunday night was the season which Seth
chose to do his weekly devours, as Mrs.
Hornby would say. and his read 10 Nigh.
bour Jones's, whose daughter Sally was the
object of his particular hope, LAY across three
long miles of hard territory, stumpy as an
old womaD's mouth, and as irreclaimable as
prodigal son gone away for the third time.
One sufficiently dark night, unhceding
wind and weather. as gallant and spruce a
lover as ever slraddled stump, Seth, in his
best "bib and tucker" and dIckey, and all
that. started upon his accustomed weekly
pilgrimage to the shrine Of Sally Jones-a
sweet girl, by the way, as strawberries and
cream ore sweet. --.------.-----
Seth knew every land mark, if he could
see il; but the night was very dark, and in
little while he became confused IN his reck.
oning, and taking the light that cleaned from
farmer Jones's cottage in the distance for a
guide, he pushed boldly on, regardles ofinler.
mediate difficulties, surging occasionally TO
The right or left, as some obstruction rose in
his path, until he ran stem on, as sailor
would say, to huge stump, and rolled IN
conlinentlv over the other side.
He gathered himself up as hest he could.
shook himself, to ascertain that no bones
were broken, and then re-started on his mis-
sion of love, his ardor somewhat damped
by feeling The cold night wind playing IN
fantastic jests around his body, denollng that
The conclusion had preached his "oh fe-fnr-
shames,' and that The scven-and sixpenny
cashmere were no more to be the particular
delight of his eye, in contemplation OF their
artistic excellence.
He knew not the extent of the damage
sustained, bu, soon gaining the house. his
first glance was over his person, to ascertain
if deccncv would be violated by an unwon-
ted display; but seeing nothing, and trusting
to the vclumlnous proportions OF his coat lF
conceaImenl, he felt e-assured, and took his
seat in proffered char by the fire.
Whilst conversng with the farmer about
the weather. and with the dame upon the
matter of cheese, he glanced al Sail, and saw
with painful surprise, that she was looking
anxiously and somewhat strangely, towards
a portion Of his dress. She averled her eye
as she caught his glance; but again catching
her eye upon him, he was induced t, turn
his in The same direction. and saw, good
heavens was i, his shirt oozing out Of
six inch aperture in the inside of one ofhls
inexprcssibles He instantly changed his
position, ami from that moment was on net
Ties. Was he making more rcvelatlonSby
the changel He watched the first oppoIr,,
tun;ty to push the garment in little. Could
he succeed in hiding it, it would relieve his
embarrassment Again he watched his
chance. and again slowed away the linen.
II seemed interminab G, like The Doctors
tape worm, and the mnre he worked at It,
the more there seemed left.
In the meantime, his conversation took the
hue of his agony. and his answers bore as
much relation to the questions asked. as the
frs, Inc of the Songs Of Solomon does 10 The
melancholy bustecn Of Odd Marin Pet'In-
gill;" -n-,a.rs5 :,
AT last with one desperate thrust, the
whole disappeared, aud he cast a triumphant
glance towards Sally. Onc look sulhccd to
show that she had comprehended the whole,
and with the greatest effort was struggling
T. prevent laugh. Meeting his glance. she
could contain herself no longer, but scream.
ing with accumulated fun. she fled from the
room and poor Seth, unable to endure this
last turn of his agony, seized his hat, and
dashed nadly from the houses, clearing The
stunps like racer in the dark, and reaching
home he hardly knew when or how.
AS soon as nc was gone, Mrs. Jones look
ed about for clean night gown that she had
ont out for service onthe back OF the chair on
which Seth had sat. She was positive she
took il out, but where upon Garth 1t was she
could not conceive.
"Sallv r. cried the old lady from the door,
shave you seen my night. gown r
"Yrs'm,' echoed her voice, as il In the last
stage of suff,caton-'yes''n Seth Hawkins
wore it home J"
|, was unfortunately tho case. and poor
Seth hal sto,Ued ii d,Uay IN INC crerdSSs q
his pants! 1t was returned the next day.
with an apology, and he subsequently mar.
ricd Sally bat many years afterwards II l.
articles of any description were missing, "l
apparel or otherwise, the first suggestion was
,ha, Seth lawkins had slowed it away IN
his trnwscrs.
Seth . awkins is now prominent ard
Influential merchant in the CITY of Boston,
and often rel lucs the story himself, tor tho
amusement of his young friends.
Lone srEEcnEs.-l'hc Sparans were
great enemies OF much speaking. Cer'ah
orators came from Samos and made 'ong
discourse to C!e"mencs. lie sa"i 10 'hen':
"The beginning Of your speech d" not re-
member; the middle, therefore, do not
i ri ~ a N