Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-12-26
Bob Grants Courfship.
BY HAZEL GREEN. ESQ.

Reader, have you ever travelled by steamboat
on any of our Western rivers? If SO. you have
bad the greatest opportunity to pick up items;'
or, in other words TO hear stories, or to be pre-
sent at the spinning of hard yarns if it suit you
better, in the known world. Everybody must
tell story. and then everybody else must tell
one to match and so it goes from morning till
night, and from night till morning. unless the
boat should happen to sink or the boiler burst
No accident that is not great enough to stop the
machinery, can stop the spinning machines.
Not long since, was taking a trip on one of
our rivers, when, as might well be expected.
was treated to a large number of racy' anec-
dotes, in most Of which the narrators themselves
held the most conspicuous position. In the num-
ber, was one about Bob Grant and his Courtship.
which afforded no little merriment Believing it
would amuse some Of you who read PoRTER'S
SPIRIT OF THE TINES l have resolved to give it
just as | received it as near as possible
Your story reminds me of one Bob Grant
whom once knewand may say with whom was
very intimate said the old gentleman to whom
! am indebted for the yarn Bob was queer
fellow, and rather green withal, and what was
still worse, very bashful when among the ladies'
One day, gave him q lecture about his stupitity
told him it would never do-ihat he was rap
idly approaching that period when he would be
would be looked upon as old bachelor, and be
despised by all the gontler sex. / saw it made
deep impression on him, so l went on:
80 Yon had better drop those old bachelor no
mons, BOD, ana get you q vile, before 1t etCr-
nally and everastingly too later
Bob blushed deeply-looked in all directions
to see that no third person was in hearing, and
then said:
ITO tell you the truth, Arch, / have been
thinking something about that matter; but who
is there that | could get to have me?
''Pshaw you are talking nonsense now,' said
!. There are plenty Of them, if you would only
scrape up courage enough TO ask them. For in
stance, there's Nell Stinson-how would she
suit"
.lShe'd suit to a T. Arch. But you don't pre-
tend to say could get Nell do you p
Get Nell! Why, yes certainly do and
would not be afraid to bet hundred dollars on
it, il you'd only try said |.
This was "A new idea to Bob, and he was tick
led almost to death with it. After thinking a
moment during which time lis face was illumi
mated with one of his broadest grns, he venturrd
to ask me how | would proceed, if | were in his
place. and wanted to get Nell. l gave him full
directions, after which he started home as hnppv
as jaybird promising to 60 and see Nell the
very next Saturday night.
Bob was as good as his word. Saturday night
came, and he went over to old man StiRson's -
Nell was at home, and guessing his business. made
herself very agreeable. Bobs courage raised ff
ty per cent. aud so, as soon the folks had re-
tired, he commenced his first courtship. To be-
gln he found dlSagreeable task but when once
the ice was broken. he felt like new creature
-'-''-SNN
so many charming things. Never before had he
Known hours to fly so rapidly, or moments to be
spent 50 pleasantly. Who could wonder at it {?
Tor Nell would lean her pretty head down on his
shoulder when be joled her about her bcaux, or
about getting married. Oh, what dear crra-
lure be soon began to think she was How he
almost cured himself for having passed so much
OF MS lie n ignorance OF such bliss.
Before Bob had scarcely time to think and
long before he had come to the point, the old
clock struck. twelve, and M,l reminded him that
II was tine to retire.
But lave not told you all wisb,' said
lie.
" You can come again next Saturday night
she replied, with A most fascinating smile.
This vas capital. Permission to come again
lie agreed to retire. Nell told him where he
cOuid sietp and iben. rs is the custom in some
oi. the Western States, brought pot OF warm wa
ter that he might wash his feet. The pot was an
o'd dlasA!o4od onc-big at the bottom and little at
the top-so very little at the top, that Bob
viewed it with some misgivings, lest it should re-
i9se TO admit his feet. Notfeeling willing to call
dtll = attention to the enormous size Of these
laiter-nalncd articles, he haulded off his shoes
and VITA one desperate thrust, lodged both feet
On The bottom OF The vessel Capital luck, thought
he, rs lie sat battling them. Nell sat near by
waiting Tor him 10 get through. that she might
remove the pot. At length the clock struck one
Dob did not seem to notice it. but sat with both
feet in the pot, apparently in Il brown study.
1t is one o'clock said Nell, by way of "A hint
1rs, man, said Bob, but still kept on with
bis bathing.
Two, and then three, were sounded from the
old bell, still Mr. Grant paid no attention to it,
but maintained his position in silence, apparently
resolved to pathe his feet all night. Mcll's pa
tiencc ilnally wore out, and she said rising from
her chair:
''Mr. Grant, you can retire when you choose
am going 10 bed
Hold on" said Bob, hold on minute
What's the price of this here pot?'
What do you mean" she asked, vastly as
tonishcd.
- mean, by thunder I'm going to break this
pot and Id like TO know the price ofit'
Father! father !! screamed Nell. come here.
quick Mr.. Grants gone mad! Quick quick :
In an Instant, the old man was with them,
neryed and prepared for desperate struggle
How sadly disappointed Instead of finding Mr..
Grant ravng maniac, as he had expected, he
found him sitting very quietly, with both feet
last IN the pot The warm water had caused
tLcm to swell, so as to become mmovable By
the united efforts Of the three. he was ut length
eItricated but Go words could induce him tC
remain till morning lie started Tor home forth
with.
Bob Grant is now an old man. as we'll as my
srlf and not more than three weeks ago. he told
me that that was his first and last courtship. He
never could scrapc up courage enough TO sc
back
AElHG n CALIFoRNIA.-Thc San Francisco