American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-22
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH

BY ELLEN GRAHAM. t4
CHAPTER u.-Continuod.

welcome. Lucy was more intent on her plan
than ever, when she saw the predestined pair
together in the evening. She thought them the
inest-looking couple to be found in the region,
and that it would be downright shame if they
did not please each other. Dick was tall, ro-
bust and hardy, with a countenance expressing
energy and intelligence: eyes of dark blue, q
brown, yet clear complexion, and mass of
dark brown hair shading his expansive forehead.
Lucy was very glad to detecth him gazing at Miss
Gray several times as she was talking to her
uncle with much animation, and felt sure that
his belief in the want of sense prevalent among
young; ladies was somewhat shaken by her
charming and sensible conversation. But Dick
sat and spoke not a word. How strange that
he should feel so shy and Backward Every.
word seemed to desert him if he made an at
tempt to speak, some invisible chain seemed
to fetter his tongue and close his mouth.
Surely" thought Dick, after returning to his
own room, ~ can't imagine what made me SO
stupid tonight; Miss Gray will think me per-
feet simpleton." Well, what if she does, Mr..
Richard?
The next afternoon, Mr.. and Mrs. Thornton
went to drink tea with neighbor, SO the young
people were quite alone. The sound of Dicks
voice had scarcely been heard oil day, and at
tea time the spirit of silence seemed to seal his
APo.' huSy pSSdu W ItCl IeSlIcoS, lOI Suc
thought it time the first reserve had worn off,
SO in order to facilitate the acquaintance, she
insisted on parching some corn after tea, calling
Will, who was busy with slate and pencil to
help her to find the best ears of corn. Will
thought his cousin very hard to please, for it
was nearly half an hour before she found corn
to suit her, so that the poor boys teeth quite
chattered with the cold After she was salts
fed, they proceeded to the kitchen to parch it,
and Will had now o fine chance to warm him.
self, shaking the pan over the glowing embers.
He was not allowed to stop till an enormous
bowl was filled with the crisp kernels looking
like snow-f flakes, so white and feathery Then
dish of apples had to be brought from the
cellar, their rosy cheeks wiped carefully, though
Will thought Lucy twice as long as she need be
doing it. 'tAll is going on right" thought the
maneuyring damsel, as she entered the sitting
room, and found the couple conversing very
socably; Dicks tongue being completely un-
loosed and very efficient from its late rest
The days now passed swiftly away, the ac-
quaintance progressed rapidly, Dick drawing in
unconsciously the fatal poison. Sometimes he
and Miss Gray sang together, very dangerous
thing for two interesting people to do, the union
OF voices having powerful tendency to pro-
duce union of hearts. Sleep began to forsake
Richards fine blue eyes, he lost himself in very
delicious reveries sighed occasionally and ex-
hibited various other alarming symptoms. His
mothers fears were excited, and she busted
herself preparing very elaborate decoctions to
strengthen the boys constitution. Dicks opin-
ions on certain points began to change imper-
ceptiby. He began to think singing schools
not quite such foolish affairs as he had said
heretofore, and even thought he might be per-
suaded to go the next night if Lucy teased him
IL - n,,t 4hn
evening came, and Lucy did not even ask him
to 90, but proposed walking and taking win for
an escort. How vexatious He wanted to 60
twice as much as he did before, but about half
an hour after their departure, he remembered
that he wished to purchase certain book, and
started off for the village On passing the hall,
he thought he would just step in and hear them
sing few minutes.
Mr. Garland, the teacher Of the singing
school, was a very prepossessing young man, o
college student, who by extra study in summer
| was allowed to be absent from college in winter,
which was spent in teaching in order to recruit
his finances. Besides the singing school, he
taught the village day-school, and also another
class in music at Woodstock, a small village
about five miles distant. lie was fine, active,
dashing fellow, full Of life and spirit, and had
gained the admiration of young Thornton the
observed, Just as they had commenced some ia
miliar tune, and were beating time He found
a seat in an uulghted corner, where he could
see and be unseen himself But his eyes did
not wander long from one particular face, the
centre of attraction for him. He felt half in
clined to join the singers at least he thought
he would wait till the close and walk home with
his cousin, for he began to think Will was no
protection ut all His meditations we're, how
ever cut short by Garland, who announced at
the end of the tune n recess Of ten minutes
Then followed Babel-Iike confusion Such
talking, buzzing, and moying-some hurrying
en- masse toward the stove, others going out,
while few remained quietly in their seats,
among whom we're Miss Gray and Lucy. Dick
was Just thinking Of emerging from his hiding
place and speaking to them, when his inten-
tons were forestalled by Garland, who remained
chatting with the two young ladies until the
ten minutes passed away.
Young Tbornton's sensations were by no
means enyiable. At first he sat with his eyes
riveted ON the expressive features Of the pretty
schoof-mistress; then he felt peculiar futter-
ing in the region Of the heart; then he began
to think Garland acted like the most conceited
coxcomb in existence, and he wondered how
Miss Gray could seem interested in the conver-
sation of such fellow This state Of mind was
not improved by hearing dialogue carried on
in very loud whisper between two young Ia
dies who had wandered into his vicinity.
"Look" said one, glancing toward the group
which occupied Dicks thoughts; "see how at
tentive AIR. Garland is again to night
sF"Yes,'' said the other; did you ever see
the like? / don't think he has had his eyes
away from her ten minutes this evening. He
will walk home with her tonight, know"
"Well," replied the other, "I think she is
Just ms much in love with him as he is with
her" HIa
Dick was by this time quite as uncomfortable
as any one need be- "To be sure, " he thought,
{" it don't take y great deal, Of penetration to
see that she is pleased with him. But what