Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-12-16
From Porter's \. Y. Spirit of the Times.
BOB GRANTS COURTSHIP.


BOB GRANTS COURTSHIP.
Reader. have you ever travelled by steam
boat on any of our Western rivers? If SO,
you have had the greatest opportunity to Spick
up items > or, in other words, to hear stories,
or to be present at the ssspinning 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 ssspinning'' machines.
Not long since, was taking trip on one
of our rivers. when, as might well be expect
ed, was treated to large number of racy
anecdotes, IN most of which the narrators
themselves held the most conspicuous posi-
tion In the number was one about Bob Grant
and his Courtship, which afforded no little
merriment. l will give it just as received
It, as near as possible:
ssYour story reminds me of one Bob Grant,
whom once knew, and l may say with whom
was very intimate" said the old gentleman
to whom am indebted for the yarn. ssBob
and what was still worse, very bashful when a.
mong the ladies. One day, gave him lee
turing about his stupidity-tOld him it would
never do-that he was rapidly approaching
that period when he would be looked upon as
an old bachelor, and be despised by all the
gentler sex. l saw it made deep impression
on him, so went
s:You had better drop those old bachelor no
tions, Bob, and get you wife, before it is Sc
ternally and everlastingly too late!'''
Bob blushed deeply-looked in all direc-
tions to see that no third person was in hear
ing, and then said
$50 tell you the truth, Arch, l have been
thinking something about the matter; but who
is there that l could get to have me ?''
"Pshaw you are talking nonsense now, !"
said I. :.There are plenty of them, if you
would only scrape up courage enough to ask
them. For instance, there's Nell Stiason-
how would she suit?
"She'd suit to T, Arch. But you don't
pretend to say could get Nell; do you2'
''Get Nell! Why, yes, certaibly do; and
would not be afraid to bet hundred dollars
on it, if you'd only try" said /.
This was idea to Bob, and he was tick
led almost to death with it. After thinking a
moment, during which time his face was illu-
minated with one Of his bToadest grns, he
ventured to ask me how / would proceed, if ]
were in his place, and wanted to get Nell.
gave him full directions, after which he start
ed home as happy as a jaybird, promising tC
go and see Nell the very next Saturday night
I,
night came, and he went over to old man Stin
sons. Nell was at home, and guessing hi.
business, made herself very agreeable. Bob!
courage raised fifty per cent, and so, as soor
as the folks had retired, lie commenced hi
first corrtship. To begin he found disagree
able task but when once the ice was broken
he felt like a new creature. Nell smiled 81
bewitchingly upon him, and said so man,
charming things. Never before had he know
hours to fly SO rapidly, or moments to be spen
so pleasantly. Who could wonder at it 70
Nell would lean her pretty head down on hi
shoulder, when be joked her about her beauS
or about getting married. Oh, what dea
creature he soon began to think she was
How he almost cursed himself for having pass
ed SO much of his life in ignorance of sue
bliss.
Before Bob had scarcely time to think. an
long before he had come to the point the oil
clock struck twelve, and Nell reminded hir
that il was time to retire.
ssBut 1 have not told you all wish,'' said he
ssYou can come again next Saturday night
she replied, with most fascinating smile.
This was capital. Permission TO come agair
He agreed to retire. Nell told him where
could sleep; and then, as is the custom
some of the Western States, brought a p'
of warm water that he might wash his fee
The. pot was an old-fashioned one-big ut ii
bottom and little at the top-so very little
the top, that Bob viewed it with some misgi-
ings, lest il should refuse to admit his fee
Not feeling willing to call Mell's attention I
the enormous size of these latter-named art
cles, ha hauled off his shoes, and with one de.
perate thrust, lodged both feet on the bottor
of the vessel. Capital luck, thought he. as h
sat bathing them. Nell sat near by. waitjn
for him to get through, that she might remov
the pot At length, the clock struck ono
Bob did not seem to notice it, but sat with bot
feet in the pot, apparently in brown study.
ssIt 10 one O'clock" said Nell, by way of
hint.
eyes, man, said Bob, but still kept o
With his bathing.