Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-09-02
The Stolen Kiss,

My dear Ned, did you ever steal a kiss
| from Il beautiful girl, in some unguarded
moment, when she was totally unconscious
OF the close proximity of your lips 10 her
own, until the treasure was plfered and past
redemption
II SO, then listen to me, and | will give
you an account of u bit of fun in that line.
when was al the mature age of fourteen.
al the district school where attended. there
was a little blonde, classnIale of mine.
whose roguIsh eye and dimpIed cheek pIaye,i
the misc hief with my studies.
Every day, after school d;eulisseu, I
galianted Kate Ito her home and when
there was snow on the ground, always in
sisted OH her taking seat Oh my sled, while
|, proud Of my load of loveliness, would
draw her up the steep hill TO her home
The other boys, envious of Kate's selecting
me as her companion, seemed determined 10
rdicule us 10 the extent of their power and
when Kate and were on the way to school,
our appearance Oh the playground was The
signal Tor perfect broadsde Of raiIlery.
There's Kate and her beau,' says one.
Halo, Jack why don't you lock arms
with your sweetheart
'Oh, they amt gagged yet,' answered an
other.
And poor Kate would run blushing into
The school-roonl, and l would propose some
play 10 turn the conversation.
The intimacy between us grew stronger
day by day, until used TO call at her house
for nothing else but to hear her sweet laugh
and talk, until il was Time for me TO leave.
One fine summer evening, | thought |
would walk up to Kate's and find out what
she thought OF small ring that had sent
TO her the day before by an urchin that had
hired. as | had not the courage TO give it TO
her myself. AS | neared the house, ! saw
Kate reclining on small lounge that had
been removed from the slling-roo into the
open verandaIi. Her father was reading the
paper and smoking a pipe, with his feet
placed on an old chest that stood in the cor
ner of the kitchen, and her mother sitting in
her rocking chair, with her knitting work in
her hand, while to complete the group. a
monstrous mastiff dog lay under the table,
asleep. | crept softly up to the lounge with
out being discovered She was gazing
through lattice work at the moon, and hum
ming favorile song of mine. How beauri-
fui she looked
IN kiss her if | have TO swing for it, said
| to myself, while the blood rushed through
my veins like red hot lava, and my breath
grew quick ana hurried.
| pressed near 10 her aid stood near
enough 20 catch the covered cup of nectar;
but my courage failed me, and would have
given itup as bad job, if the lillIe witch had
not AT that momeat held up TO the bright
moonlight an exquisite little hand, with the
very ring had sent her, Oh the third finger.
She looked AT the ring for moment, and
then with quick motion pressed il to her bo-
som. could bear it no longer. In an in
slant had encircled her little waist with my
arm, and glued my lips TO the sweet crea-
lures mouth. Ye gods and little fishes =
what a scream she gave
She slipped from my embrace like an eel,
and sprang for The open door. caught her
by the waist again.
Kate, Kate don't you know
Wool! Vow and down ! went flat on
my back, with old Towser's dental ARA nge-
rnents fastened in my shoulder.
Get out, Towser! Father, father, help!
he'll kill him" cried Kate, who had recog-
nized my voice and the poor girl was in an
agony of tears.
Ont rushed Squire Il, and loosened
me from the grip OF the dog. Ka;e's mother
made me take off my coat, that she might
see the extent of my wounds. They were
not dangerous, and after applying some ont-
meat, the pain left me, and | took chair
by the side of Mrs. H.
why, what in the world made you scream
so, Kate ? said her father.
Poor Kate blushed to the tips of her fin
gers, and said nothing, but cast an implor-
ing look AT me.
why, the truth is, Mr.. H, when /
came TO The verandah, saw Kate on the
lounge looking SO bewilching. that could
not help taking kiss, aud as took it with
out her leave. ii startled her somewhat
Square H roared with laughter, while
Mrs. H looked at Kate with such COM
ical expression, that she slipped out of doors
TO hide her confusion.
! went out moment after, ard found her
in little arhor in the rear of the house.
Dear Kate said !, 'and l will give you
back that kiss | stole
! She looked at me moment, and then
turned her head away. but she did not strug-
! gle violently when repaid her the kiss had
stolen under the verandah. have kissed
beautiful girls since, but never found the zest
of that stolen kiss. All, Kate