Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-10-22
MISCELL A N Y
Marrying Under Difficulties.
yJpGINIA STORY.

Nathan Jones, small farmer in our vicinity,
had a daughter, as pretty and buxom a lass Jas
ever thumped buttermilk in churn; and wheth-
er YOU saw her carrying eggs to market on
dy-bitten mare, or helping to stir apple butter
at a frolic, or making a long reach at quilting,
or sitting demurely in the log meeting house
on Sunday-in short, wherever you saw her,
she looked as pretty, if not prettier, than she
ever did before.
Notwithstanding her attractions, it will scarce
ly be credited that Sally had reached the mature
age of eighteen without an avowed suitor. Ad-
mirers, nay lovers, she had by the score; and
many signing bachelor would willingly have
given his riding horse,or even his share IN Dads
farm, for her. There was indeed, no lack OF
will the difficulty was in mastering up courage
to make the proposal. Mankind seemed Tor once,
to be impressed With proper sense OF lts own
uuworthiness Now, far be it from any one to
infer from this that Sally was prudish or unap,,
proachable On the contrary she was as goou
humored as comely, and disposed to be loving
as she was loveable. Poor Sally, it is great
misfortune for girl to be too handsome; al
most as great as to be ugly. There she was,
sociable, and warm hearted rs apigeon, amiable
as turtle-dove, looking soft encouragement as
plainly as maiden modesty permitted, to her
bashful company of admirers, who dawdle about
her, twiddling their thumbs, biting the bark OFT
their riding switches, and playing number OF
other sheepish tricks, but saying never word
to the purpose.
"Either he fears his fate too much,
Or his desert is small,
Who dares not put it to the touch,
And win or lose 1t all.
Sally was entering on her nineteenth year
when She was one day heard to observe that
men were the meanest, slowest, cowardliest, Or
'nariest creatures; in short, good for nothing
but to lay under all apple tree with their mouths
open, and wait until the apples dropped into
them.
This observation was circulated from mouth
to mouth, and like the riddle of the Sphynx, was
deeply pondered by Sally's lovers. If any OF
them had wit enough to solve its meaning, GER
tainly no one had pluck enough to prove the
answer.
Not of this poor-spirited crowd was Sam Bates,
a stalwart youth, who stood, in winter, six feet
two inches in his stockings, Gn summer he did
not wear any, Sam was not handsome IN the
ordinary sense of the term, he was freckled, had
big mouth, and carroty hair. His feet-but
no matter, he usually bought number fourteen
and half boots, because they htted HIM oetter
than sevens or eights. Sam was wagon maker
by profession, owned shop, and several nun,
dred acres of unimprove6 land, which secured
to him the reputation of Independence. For the
rest he was registering blade, good rider, q
crack shot with the rife, and an accomplished
fiddler. Bold to the confines of impudence, ne
was favorite of the fair; with heart as blg as
his foot, and fist like a sledge hammer ne was
the acknowledged cock of the walk, and the
preux cavalier of the pine hill country.
Mr.. Bates met Sally Jones for the first time az
q quilting, and in sixty seconds after sight ne
had determined to court her. He SAT beside her
as she stitched, and even had the audacity TO
squeeze her hand under the quilt. Truth is
mighty and must be told. Although Sally dld
resent the impertinence with q stick OF her
needle, she was not half so indignant US she
ought to have been. l dare not say she was
pleased, but perhaps / should not be tar from tne
truth if l did. 1t is Undeniable that the more
gentle and modest woman is, the more the
other sex love them. Sally blushed every time
her eyes met those of hcr new beau, and tha'
was as often as she looked up. AS for Sam the
longer he gazed the deeper he sunk IN the mlre
of love, and by the end Of the evening ms hear'
and his confidence were both completely over
whelmed AS he undertook to see sally nome,
he felt numbness in his joints that was entire-
ly new to him, ,and when he tried to make known
his sentiments as he had previously determined,
he found his heart was so sGelled up that II
closed his throat, and he couldn't utter word
"What a sneak was !" groaned Sam, rs lie
turned that night on his sleepless pillow
whats come over me that can't speak my
mind to pretty girl without chokin'? ION
but she is too pretty to live on this airth. Well
Pm going to church with her tomorrow; and
if don't fix matters afore get back, then fiS
me-"
1t sprobable that Sam Bates had never heark-
ened to the story of "Rasselas, prince of Aby-
sinia," or he would have been less credulous
while thus listening to the whispers of fancy .and
less ready to take it for granted that the def
cheney of to-day Would be supplied by to-mor-
row. Tomorrow came, and in due time Mr.
Bates trcked off in bran new twelve-dOllal
suit of Jews clothes, was on his way 10 meeting
beside the beautiful Sally. His horse, bedecked
with new fair leather bride, and new saddle
with brass stirrups, looked as gay as his master
AS they rode up to the door, Sam could not for.
bear casting triumphant glanced at the crowd
of Sally's adorers, that stood around filled with
modification and envy at his successful audacity
Sally's face was roseate with pleasure aud bash
fulness.
''Stop minute now, Miss Sally; III just gel
down and lift you off,"
Sam essayed to dismount, but in 80 doing
found that both feet were hopelessly fast in the
stirrups His face swelled and Redeemed like 6
turkey gobbler's. In vain he twiste and kick
ed; the crowd was expectant; Sally looked VI
and saw her beau's predcament The bystand