The Placer herald., 1857-03-21


my going out sich night, for mothers used
to know something about boys in them
days thoguht there never was sich night,
and | guess there wasn't neither.
Old brndle didn't get any more thanin
full dose of nubbins and like as not dublin
found the hay rack empty fore morn a
Marin had mush and milk for supper-and
hang the mush it wouldn't COOL and burnt
my mouth to blister the first dash; slam
med down the spoon and pushed back the
stool.
"What's the matter SAM" said father.
Nothing" said |.
Sue looked at Tom and Tom looked at
Bill and Bill couldn't keep in. "Sam's going
up to the squire's" he snickered out. Faith
er looked at marm, and she blowed her
mush and they didn't speak a word So
put up the ladder to put on my putternut
breeches, striped vest, and blue hunting shirt
Warn't there a giggling when | started'
Bill had told.
All the way up I was thinking how
should fix it to get chance. The Squire
and his wife were strict old church members
and knew they'd not 90 to bed and leave
and Polly to talk it out; twas too cold and
stormy to be out on the porch to look at
the moon, and no kind of a chance for a
slidn' spree on the pond and only one room
in the house. When | got there | walked
bold up to the door my heart beat agin my
pocket as if it would bust clean out; but
was determined so | gin an awful loud
knock.
"Walk in," said the Squire. Good even
ING Samuel" said he, "how's the folks to
hum:"
"Mddling I thank ye Squire; how do We
all do here!" said l. as | walked up to the
fire and pulled off my left mitten and stuck
out my hand as it was cold
80 as to be stering," said he, stake a
cheer. Zeb, hand Samuel a cheer"
The old Squire was sitting in the right
corner of the fire place with his red woolen
night cap on, toastng his toes, with a can
die in one hand and newspaper in tother
Marin Potter sat at his elbow darning stock
ings; next to her sat Polly, and then Ann,
Jack and Eph were churning over in tother
corner, turn about; Zeb and Dick were dress
inc axe heves, and Betsey and kate were
pairing apples to make pies the next mornin'
Mary and Emmie, and Job and John were
playing Jack straws with the baby on the
floor. ! took my seat near Polly. She
and Ann were working at the corners Of The
same blanket, putting on the roses or some
foolery with blue and red yarn Of their own
spinning and coloring-not like the crueties
you gals work with now a-days.
-"How in the deuce | was to fix it | could
not tell If the gals had not been at work
on the same blanket, I'd a got EN- apart
somehow; but there they was, their heads
Just a touchin'-PoIy was next to Ann Ann
was mighty busy, and didn't know what my
hand was doing behind her back; | reached
around and got Polly by the elbow. "Ihis
is an amazing hot fire, said and |, | hitched a
Htty back, and little nearer Polly, and at
the same time Gin her arm a pinch. |
began to grow saucy, talkad to the old man,
joled the boys, bet on the youngsters, and
every now and then gave Polly a sly pinch.
But that want popping the question.
"'Bout nine o'clock said the Squire, lay
down his paper, and taking a long drink of
cider from the stone pitcher that had been
toastng before the fire. "Pretty nigh on to
bed time, amt it boys" l knew that the
time was up, and he was set as the old beech
stump in the door yard-something mnst
be done. gin Polly tremendous pinch.
She jumped half out of her cheer. Down
went her darnin needle behind AIMS cheer.
and down went both our heads at once to
look for it.
"Polly, said |, 'is it bargain? eyes, if
papa is wiling" said she. The needle
was found. Maybe our lips hadn't sealed
the contract. Poly's face was as red as
her madder gown and /"
"Polly, Polly you're letting the sugar all
run over, what on airth are you thinking
abovt"
Popping the question: said Lawyer
"Wasn't there a shout of mirth and a
clapping Of hands ust then?"