The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-08-04

and 1t was not safe 10 proceed without
the desired information.
After dinner, when Charles Randall
had strolled away into the woods to
pick berries, he found himself seated
on a rock with Uncle Malachi, discuss
ing different topics.
The subject nearest his heart was
continually pressing him for solution
of the problem, but then it was DELI
cate matter, and a single careless word
might ruin all his prospects. But at
last he ventured to speak of " the girls"
as Uncle Malachi familiarly called
them.
"Your house must be very much en-
liyened by the addition of your nieces
to the family" said he doubtfully.
90 yes; we are as lively as crick-
ets," responded the old gentleman.
aThe gals are wide awake from SUM-
rise to sunset they amt none of your
moping city gals, that die of the blues
afore they're thirty"
"Healthy and happy, I suppose they
can't be otherwise on a farm.n
"Bless you! yes; they don't know
how to play on the piany, but then they
can rattle you off music on the milk
pans-and accordin' to my notion, that's
the right kind of music for farmers
gals"
"Your two brothers died nearly at
the same time, have been told.o
within a year."
"And one Of your nieces is an heir
ess?"
eyes; Ezekiel was the richest man
in these parts-worth clean fifty thou
sand"
"And your other brother was poor 2"
"Poor as church mouse; but that
don't make any difference with me con-
sarnin' the gals; | mean to treat 'em
both alike"
Certainly"
"But they are good gals, and one
wouldn't think from seein' 'em that one
was rich and tother poor. They are
jest like sisters"
"Their names-it seems to me have
heard, but | have forgotten them," said
Ned, telling an abominable lie.
well, We call one Ellen, and tother
Maria"
"And Ellen is heiress ~ continued
Ned, with masterly appearance of in
though he scarcely dared
to breathe, lest he should betray his
Uncle Malachi was something of
wag, and the thonqht eoeHryed 70 ham
that Ned Ryder might mean mischief,
and he promptly replied that Ellen was
the heiress.
We do not mean to assert that Uncle
Malachi had any intention of deceiv-
ing the young man. 1t did occur to
him that in the precise position of af-
fairs it was none of Ned's business
which was the heiress, but he was not
SO sausy as to say so.
Uncle Malachi was a wag-as fond
of a practical joke as an old man of
sixty can be; and this, | take it, was
the whole and sole motive that actuated
him in saying as he did-albeit Ellen
lras the heiress-EAen Maria wasi
The sun was setting when Uncle
Malachi's covered wagon stopped be-
fore the door. Ned, burning with love
and galIantry hastened with the good
farmer to assist the girls to alight.
But the damsel leaped lightly to the
door stone before the haggard lover
reach her, and stood gazing in surprise
At the strange young man with nef III
Gle.
That's Ellen," said Uncle Malachl
IN low tone.
They were formally introduced, and
Ned promptly proceeded to render him.
self agreeable.
But where is Maria ?n asked Uncle
Malachi.
"She got out on the turnpike to walk
ACROSS through the woods"
sThen your friend will pick her up"
'aid the farmer, with smile.
And in the course of half an hour,
Charles Randall returned, walking by |
he side of the pretty damsel, who
seemed to enjoy his society as much |
IS though they had known each other a
rear.
The evening was spent in pleasant |
and Ned stuck as close to |
he side of Ellen, as though all the
of ogling, pointed attentions,
'opping the question, and an engage
nent had been regularly gone through
With. Charles was cooler, but appa-
emily he was studying the character of
he fair creature whose beauty had
lready won his admiration.
As the two clerks entered their apart
nent 10 retire, Ned Ryder, in high glee
t his own cleverness, rallied his COM
anion on the progress they had made.
~ say, Charley" said he, "arhieh is
he heiress an
aI don't know, and what is more, |
ont care" responded Randall, not
tile vexed at the mercenary senti-
rents of his companion.
40, well, if you don't want to talk,
o to sleep, and pleasant dreams to
ou," said Ned, with low chuckling
lugh, as he buried his head in the pill
wv. * 4 4
1t is surprising to notice what re-
progress some lovers make
, the affections Of lady-how in