The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-03-23


an explanation of her real sentiments towards
himself, and such sweet and unreserved con
fession of love, rewarded the stratagem, a.
made him inwardly bless the carelessness
which had elevated the old stick to its neck.
breaking altitude
Delilah was fairly beaten at her own weap
ons. Almost ere she had time to think, she
has exchanged vows, and plighted her faith
| irreyocably. In the moments of delicious en-
barrassment which succeeded, the accident
that brought the tender scene about was quite
forgotten; and when she did recall the acci.
dent to mind, she was surprised TO find that hel
lovers injured arm had for the last FIVE min.
utes, encircled her little waist with an affec
tionate vigor which was perfectly incompat-
patible with fractured limb.
oh, you vile fellow = she exclaimed, break
ing suddenly away from him, with return to
her accustomed levity, it wasn't fair-it's toe
bad to be cheated so; but won't pay you for
this the next time catch you! trust me for
that and half piqued at the ruse, yet highly
pleased with the result she tripped away to
the house, leaving him to reflect upon the hap
py adventure.
1t might be supposed that now Delilah was
engaged, the prospect of some day assuming
more sedate and digni6ed But not so; she
was wilder and more mischieyous than ever.
Just in proportion as her happiness was increas-
ed, her propensity for practical joking was in
creased also. The very next evening she sue
ceeded in retaliating upon her love the cheat
he had practiced. Some friends were passing
the evening with her, and a merry party she
made it with her fun and frolic. Whenit was
nearly time for her company to withdraw, a
little dispute arose between her and Walter
as to the precise hour.
1T is near eleven o'clock said he.
No, scarcely ten she returned.
what will you bet? . asked he, playfully
a Quaker .fpI, was the ready reply.
Done!'
The bargain was scarcely closed when the
silvery tones of the old clock in the hall tolled
ten.
There I've won,' exclaimed Delilah.
Fairly won,' answered Walter, but without
manifesting any disposition to liquidate the
debt
WELL cried she, in tone Of sly inquiry
'aint you going to pay up .
Walter was staggered However happy he
might have been to pay the Quaker ftp "a coin
with which the reader is doubtless familiar) at
more fitting and private opportunity, he was
mortified at her seeming want of modesty to
demand it in presence of so many witnesses,
notwithstanding the light had been sent out
of the room a moment previous
How can find you in the dark he stam-
mered.
"a pretty excuse, indeed! Here I am be-
hind the table, ready to meet you half way
over it.; and if it is dark, so much the better
II need be at no pains to hide my bushes
While the company were electrified at this
unlocked for forwardness, Walters gallantry,
unable to withstand second appeal, urged
him reluctantly to the table, when loud and
unequivocal buss testified that the ftp was du-
y paid.
Bring light, bring light, Ellen Smith =
cried Delah, almost choking with laughter
The young lady addressed, anticipating sport
Of some kind, was not slow to comply, and on
her appearance with light there stood the fun
loving girl, her fair fingers clinehing tightly
the great ears of her woody headed negro maid.
whose ebony features, were thus held across
the table in the precise spot Walter approach
ed to pay the lost ftp. The rows of grinningi
ivory betrayed the delight with which Molly
participated in the jest. OF course the con-
fused lover was greeted with commissions of
laughter which he, with lame grace, was
forced to Join in, while at the same time, he
made an instructive manifestation of disgust by
applying his handkerchief to his mouth. The
cream of the joke however Delilah alone en-
ioyed. While she had determined to turn the
laughter upon Walter, she had no notion of
being defrauded of her dues-but had in re-
atty received the kiss herself
Months passed on and Delilah continued the
same provoking, pretty, bewitching, n1ischiev-
Gus little mad-cap as ever, with the exception
that her jokes were not altogether as harm
less as formerly, but became more seriously
annoying, in their character. To-be-sure she
never ocasioned pain to others that she did not
bitterly lament it, and sorrow over inconsider-
ateness with penitence that was truly sincere
while it lasted. But the rebound of her feel
ings was always in proportion to the grief which
at that moment oppressed them, and she was
no sooner done mourning for the consequent
ces of one excess than she was guilty of
greater. Her mother scolded, her father
threatened, but all Intellectually The latter
indeed, sometimes thought seriously of giving
her up entirely, for his judgment whispered to
him that it would be impossible to live in har-
nnony with such mixture of mischief and ca
price; but somehow his heart in the other
scale always kicked the beam against the rea-
son, and he could not muster resolution to for
sake her. Apart from her unfortunate pecu-
liarity, she possessed every charm that was de-
sirable in woman and Walter preached him.
self into forbearance and lived along in the
hope that she would some day see the impro-
priety of her conduct, and settle down finally
to love, honor and obey, in sober earnestness,
as sensible woman should.
In the mean time the various members of
Delilah's family. who were kept in continual
ferment by her excentricities, held an indgna-
ton meeting at which, after due deliberation,
it was resolved she must be cured, and her
worthy uncle the doctor, was entrusted with
the task
SO, uncle, you have undertaken to cure my
what do you call the affection? oh, have
it! morbid propensities for .jokingP exclaim-
ed Delilah, as she tripped into his office, the
day after the holding of the family council
az i IL. ~