The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1852-12-08
..... .., From the Southern Literary Gazette.
UNDER THE STUMP,
Or, Sampson Keepers Courtship

Any shrewd observer of men and manners
could have immortalized his name in Grass
borough, by explaining, clearly and salts.
factorily, the reason why Mr.. Sampson KEEP
per remained bachelor at two score.
The lacts of the case arc as follows:---
Sampson Keeper, Esq, aC five and twenty,
WAS looked upon as prize by all the mar.
riageable young ladies in GFassborouch.-
Possessed of good looks and an excellent
farm, agreeable manners, and large, com
for able house, pair of whiskers and two
pair oxen. Sampson could have "taken hi.
pick" among the maidens of Grassborrugh
any of whom would have been delighted
with his preference. He was kind-hear
ted fellow, too--was Sampson Keeper, and
| have often heard him described, as hav.
ing Distinguishing fondnebs for gooseber-
ry pies, nice children, fine horses, and ladies
in general. s|...
At that delightful age--ive and twenty!
Sampson did actually betray an inclination
for connubial happiness. He commenced
paying his addresses to the amiable Miss
Lueretia Lane, worthy and pretty young
lady, who was said by every body--with
the exception of amultitude ofrival beauties
would make him an excellent wife.
NoG Sampson waited on Lucretia- "cour-
ted her." as Grassborough gossips termed
it, for FIVE years, and it was we'll known to
SIMPSONS friends that more than forty times
during that period he was on the point Of
offering her his hand. But Sampson did
not make such an offer tor reasons--which
Grassborough would have been glad to know.
The Lanes lost patience with the heir oI
the house Of Keeper. I4ucretia. they said,
was at his disposal, but they could see nc
sense IN requiring years to make up his mind
to marriage. They threw out certain hints,
which offended Sampson and distressed his
faithful mistress; hints designed to hasten
the approach Of lazy-paced Hymen, but
which were chilling shower-bath on the
ardor Of Mr.. Keeper. He avoided Lucretia' IS
society for month. At the end of that
time, convinced of the impossiblity of living
without her, he called upon her one Sunday
night, as in former days. To his astonish.
ment he found her occupying the small par.
lor in company with Mr.. Brooks, a wealthy
widower Of thirty-ive. MIR. Brooks and
Lucretia sat together in the chimney corner.
and Sampson, with his surtout on, sank in,
to the seat opposite. .r,a asr..
"Fine evening" said Sampson, in an un.
steady voice. d. .,,t.......... .... ..,...g.
May" said Lucretia, changing color rep
idly and looking at the back-log. 4 49,
1t was showing and blowing outside, at 8
trighlful rate. A.. ......-a.s =.
The widower settled his chin in his neck
cloth, with pompous air, and tried to lool
unconcerned. Lucretia coughed and blush
ed, and moved about in her chair, rs il sh,
had eaten something which distressed her
while Mr.. Keeper glanced uneasily from hi
hat to the door, and played with his thumbs
like any timid young man, who intended to g,
to a champagne supper, should penetrate th'
sanctimonious silence ola Quaker meeting
by mistake. ,..-l..-, d. g,.,.1 ,.st ,..,,.'T
"Ahem! Thought I'd Just look in, enc
see how you were" observed Sampson, af
ter a long pause, turning on his chair, ant
crossing his legs with an attempt to appea
a: ease. ..., t..,,.l t..,... 1,.-,a.- T..
Thank you-hppe you will--you'll CONS
again?" faltered Lucretia. r.it... II.
| And not another word was spoken 70
half an hour. At length Sampson, after
series Of preliminary "ahems,"' and anxious
glances at his hat, summond courage t
say, ,t -aaas .y.a,l = Ian ..,.--,
"Guess III be going
~, "DWhats your hurry?" asked Lucretia, il
feeble tone. ", 'g 81 81
"Nothing particular-guess though Il
better be going. Good night" ., I.,t
GOOD night, ifyou must CO. ~ 4.
Stumbling over a chair in his endeavor
to appear unconcerHed. and buttoning th
lright-hsnd lappel Of bis dress coat Ian erro