The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-11-27

As left the room, had the satisfac-
tion of hearing the visitor say, that is
really a wonderful childm An idea
probably echoed by Cousin Mercy, but
with the addition that there are various
ways of being wonderful.
About once a week "Brother Brit
ties" came to take tea and although
have reason to think that he was one
of those innocent minded men who
would go on visiting in this way for five
years and a half, and then, on being
asked "what his intentions were," be
fairly shocked into an abrupt depart
ure-Aunt Starr and Cousin Mercy had
come to the conclusion that "Brother
Brittles'' attentions were very particu-
lar.
II really don't know what to think of
Brother Brittles," said Cousin Mercy,
one day, when sat on a very high
stool, hemming very interminable
handkerchief every time | take
walk with him, Pm afraid he'll pro-
pose"
Aunt Starr pushed up her spectacles
and gaZed at her daughter with infinite
astonishment. as well she might-for
was not Brother Brittlesn the straw
sent by kind fate to prevent Cousin
Mercy from drowning in the Lethe of
single blessedness And did not that
perverse maiden actually hint at a
feeling of indecision with respect to
grasping said straw? So Aunt Starr
looked, and finally came out with:
"Don't be too hasty, Mercy-you re-
member how Doctor Kilworthy-"
But here Cousin Mercy pointed to
me, with the wise observation that q lit
tie pitchers have large ears" and thus
cut short most interesting communi-
cation.
Well, time passed on, as the novel
lists say; and one evening Cousin Mer-
CIV came in from the garden, where she
had been taking moonlight walk with
"Brother Brittles,n wearing most per-
turbed air. She carefully avoided the
light, and remained seated in shaded
corner of the apartment-quite unheed-
ing the mysterious signs that were di-
rected towards her by her parent.
Aunt Starr perfectly delighted in a
courtship; and she could never be per-
suaded that two single people, who
were brought together with reasonable
opportunities, would not eventually turn
ont pair of lovers. She smiled be-
nignly upon "Brother Brittles "-she
made signs TO her daughter that she
was ready to evacuate the apartment if
desired; but the evening passed, and
nothing came of it.
After the visitors departure, Aunt
Starr was evidently preparing herself
for blushing confession, or a whis-
pered entreaty of: Mother, give me
your blessing p but Cousin Mercy mere
ly unburdened her heart with the an
nouncement that one of her side curls
was missing!
"Depend upon it." said Aunt Starr, in
knowing way, "that the poor man
has captured it when you were not look
ing. Quite romantic, | declare He'll
be rather surprised" she added, more
soberly, "to find it fastened on comb"
Cousin Mercy groaned in spirit, and
searched the house and garden through
in vain. A conviction that Brother
Brittlesn must have taken it forced it,
self upon her mind; but, as sort of
forlorn hope, she enlisted me in the
search, and promised me two shilling if
| succeeded in bringing to light the
missing curl.
Pieces of silver were in those days
very much like angels visits with me !;
and resolved that, if human exertion
could win it, the prize should be mine.
Oh! how | searched through that gar
den, and how endless seemed its ex-
tent! How | trampled down Aunt
Starts favorite plants in the vain ex-
pectation of seiZing the treasure, when
Il invariably turned out to be something
else How laid awake o. night spend
ing that two shillings very much as
Mrs. Caudle laid out the five pounds
her husband had lent-and how arose
in the morning and went at the search
with renewed vigor!
Days passed, and still no curl; and
what was also puzzling, no "Brother
Brittles." Blessings brighten as they
leave us; and now that the worthy
clergyman seemed only to have crossed
her path like a bright meteor, am
convinced that Cousin Mercy discev-
cred a thousand perfections in him that
had hitherto lain concealed.
One afternoon was digging away in
my own little garden-having almost
given up the curl as a hopeless search
when, happening to lift me eyes to-
wards lilac bush, that grew most pro-
vokingly in the centre of my plot, /
saw-jointed dolls, and wooden tea-sets! /!
what did see? !. thought Of Abso-
lem's fate as | unhitched the devoted
curl, and wondered if he wore side
combs?
With my prize clutched in one hand
with eyes fixed on a shining two
shilling piece-heedless of all inter-
yening obstacles-I rushed into the
very midst.
AS I entered the parlor, there sat
nBrother Brittles," and there sat Cou-
sin Mercy; and in transport of rap
ture called out,
"Consin Mercy! here's your curl
| found it in the lilac bushm
Had so many pounds Of lead been
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