The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-06-10

Nothin' would do, but Mr.. Sharp must lead
Miss Katy across first. He jumped on the
log in high glee. and took Kate's hand, and
off they put. Jist as they got half way
across, tarnaton great big bullfrog jumped
off into the water-you know how they can
holler--" snake !" SCREAMED the blasted fool,
and jumped back, and knocked Kate off up to
her waist in the nasty black muddy water.
And what dye think he done? why he run
backerds and forerds hollering for pole to
help Kate out of the water. Kate looked at
me and couldn't stand it no longer. Cur
chug lit ten foot from the bank at the
lust jump. and had Kate out OF thar in no
time. And dye think the scamp didn't
come up after we'd got out and say "are you
hurt. Miss Katys"
My dander was up. couldn't stand it
| cotch him by the seat Of his white britches,
and his coat collar, gin him toss. May
be he didn't go clean under. when he hit the
water. didn't see him out Me an Kate
put out to the house. When we started Of,
Kate said, :" Ben, jist let me hold on to your
arm, my knees feel sorter weak" Great
jeminys felt SO quar- when she tuck hold
tried to say s0methin' nice, but my drotted
mouth wouldn't go off no how. But felt
as strong as an elephant. and helped Kate
along. Bineby Kate said. " Ben. that Jo
Sharp's good lurnuthin', sneaken'. cowardly
nobody and ef lie ever puts his head inside
our house agin, iii baptize him with dish
water. shore" tried to say somethin' agin,
but cuss the luck. couldn't say nothin' but
squeeze Kate's hand and sithe like cranky
bellus.
We'd got clean out Of sight Of the others,
and Kate says, ]" Ben, feel that you're my
purtector, an | believe dadLy's right when
he says you're wuth all the rest O. the boys
in the neghborhood. i" Ben Purtle," says
!. this is great day for you, and | made a
tremendous effort to git my mouth of agin,
and out it popped shore enough. Kate"
says |, tremblin' all over. !" love YOU to dis
traction, an no mistake. I've loved you
long an hard. Nv hearts been most broke
for two years an now | want you to say
right straight up an down whether you are
going TO have me or not? Kate hung down
her head and didn't say nothin,' but felt
encouraged /; for she kind o. sithed. Says /,
Kate, et you're gwine to have me, say So, aud
ef you don't like to say so, jst squeeze my
hand. And she squeezed itright of. LOrdy
but how did feel felt jist like stream
Of warm water sasssfac tea sweetened with
molasses, was runnin' through By bones! and
| list cotch her in my arms, and kissed her
right on the mouth, and she never tried the
first time 10 git loose"
Ben was so overcome with this narrative
Of his courtship, that pause for breath was
necessary.
How long after that" said |, "before you
were married r.
"old Sammy was mighty proud, ard 50
was the old CONAN, about tile thing, and we
married next fall after the muskadne scrape.
DO you think youf wife loves you yet 7"
asked.
Why lordy, yes. She thinks I'm the
purtiest and The best iellcr in the world.
tell you, sir. its no use talkin', high falutin'
quality dressin', an colonge and sich thing.
amt gwine to 90 down with sensible gals.
shore."