The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-04-08
Kitty's First Love.

| sure loved her as we sat together by the road
side soaking our dandelion stems in the little
| puddles of water to make them curl My pas
| sion was in no wise abated, when somewhat
later [ climbed cherry trees at her bidding;
nor later yet when at dancing school very
awkwardly made my new learnt bow, and ask
ed her to be my partner; nor | am sure, was
my boyish passion at all damped, when on my
return from college | found my sweet little
KITTY changed by some undefnable alteration,
from lovely child to bewitching young wo-
man. She was almost the same as when |
parted from her three years before-the woman
was very lke"the child-there was tie same
rosy checks, the same pouting, innocent mouth,
the same culling hair, but some charm, grace
OF sentiment was added, which made my heart
thrill with new emotion as gazed at her
kitty" said Iao her one day, after had
been at home a week or two, and | found |
could restrain myself no longer, Kitty, Tn
very much in love with you, and / fancy you
promise to marry me- ! paused, Kitty made
no answer: and said: ''You like me, Kitty,
don't you?'
First tell me-" said Kitty, blushing, and
with an odd mixture of deli ght and bashful
ness in erface, ''if you've made me what is
called an offer?''
ITO be sure have, my darling" rep1i-
ed; an offer which | trust and hope you will
Don't be too sure of that" said Kitty, de-
murely.
kitty, you love me?' | exclaimed.
"That's my secret" replied the provoking
little thing, .but at any rate" she continued,
81 shouldnot possibly think of accepting the
very first offer | ever received-I should be
mortified the rest of my life if did. No in
deed; no girl of spirit would dream of accept
ing her first offer as if she were afraid she
should never have another Excuse me, James,
can't possibly accept you ill I've had at least
one other offtr.''
"But my dearest Kitty" began.
Kitty! Kitty! Kitty!'' she exclaimed; "wiII
Mr.. Brant learn to call me1y my proper name?
J confess did hope that on receiving my first
offer, the person making it would address me
with courtesy, and in a manner BETTING the
occasion, giving me my name of Katharine;
but now you've gone and spoiled it all"
"Oh | suppose you wanted d stiff, ceremo-
nous proposal in form, obServed but I'm
no Sir Charles Grandson, Kitty-Katharine,
| would say, therefore, don't be foolish; be
content to KNOWN plain words that my whole
heart is yours; and have the good sense to ac
cept your first offer, since your second may not
be so good.''
But IN vain were my arguments and reason
ings Kitty was determined not to accept her
first offer, and finding her resoute | changed
my tone, and acquiescing in her views, con
hat boI th,t
point, and should be rather mortified to know
that my wife had never had any offer but that
had myself made her; and so promised to
suspend my suit till Kitty should be so fortu-
nate as to receive an offer from some other
quarter ----,r4-a
Now, not far from where Kitty dwet, there
was a tavorite dell. or bower, something of that
kind, to which she daily repaired witaesome
chosen volume to sit and read All my en-
deavors to persuade her to allow me to accom-
pany her thithcr had always been quite in vain
Kitty was firm in prefcrriny her undisturbed
solitude, and | WAS daily doomed to an hour
Or two of the mopes during her romantic wood
land visit.
In pursuance with this custom, Kitty set out
soon after the conversation | have sketched
declining, as usdR, my offer of companion
ship.
Not more than half an hour had elapsed af-
ter she had reached her fayorite seat, ere her
attention was attracted by young gentleman
who was fishing in the brook which flowed
near her. Kitty drew back little on seeing
him, but her curious eye occasionally wander
ed toward the stranger.
The latter no sooner perceived his fair OBJ
server than he bowed with an air of poieness,
and advancing few steps, ventured to address
a few words OF common place greeting, but his
eyes were far more eloquent than his tolgue-
they plainly informed the fair Kitty that she
had found another admirer., Kitty, highly
tlattefed, received the strangers advances gra-
ciously, and the youth being by no means
ba>hiu, half an hour found them chatting ca
silly and gaily on various topics of Interest,"
Kitty's stay in the woods was something long
er than usual that afternoon
''What is the mater?' asked, on meeting
her soon after her return home. Your eyes
sparkle and you look AS pleased as though you
had met fairy IN your afternoon rambe. -
1T is better than IL fairy" cried Kitty,
breathless] y, tits a young man.
"lndced!' calculated, with a whistle.
"Yes, James," she replied, "and he is so
handsome-so agrceabc-so delightful, that
| can say how things might go if he were to
make me. one of these days, my second ofer.'
You can't impose on me in that kind of
way, sweet Kitty, 50 don't attempt it," | cx
claimed IN be bound the mpudent fellow.
whom won't object to speaking ii bit of my
mind to, is not handsmer OF more agreeable
than | am myself"
Kitty laughed aloud in derison. He's
thousand times handsomer than you are She
cried, seornluIly, land as much more enter
tanning as he is more handsome.'' -. .. ...-
Come, Kitty. don't be too cutting and too
cruel | began, but Kitty drew herself up with
dignity.
They call me Katharine, who do speak to
me, SIR" she said
"Katharine, fiddle stick!'' cried. kitty
is the preltiest and sweetest name in the world,
and comes more natural to me don't bother
me with your Katharines.
Il dare say you may like it, said Kitty,
pouting. half angrily, ''but don't. It's too
free How would you like it if persisted in
calling you Jim? | declare III call you jim,
if you 90 on calling me Kitty"
'.Do SO, if you like I replied, "and it will
soon sound to me like the sweetest name in the