The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1857-10-15
A Soft Place.

A way up in the mountains, where
most men are honester than their shad-
ows are long and are not afraid of them
selves nor the dark, Tim Ginking's uncle.
an old bachalor lived. See him Wonder
on goods box, on the corner, in the sun
shine, expatiating to a small squad of fell
lows upon matters and things in general,
with an unimpeachable shirt-collar, his
distinction, an elevated brow, winking lid,
a wicked eye, and a gracious mouth en-
phasizlng occasionally with pound of
his walking-cane upon the pavement,
and Strengthening his shirt-collar as final
on the subject in question.
'Take a seat, Tim, on the box by me-"
said he, after the rest Of the party had
strolled away, "it's pleasant here. l
was gone down to see the widow, yester-
day, Tim, and she gave me back bone
for dinner"
BY the way, widow Ida Liza Dangling
is nice, sweet little. pretty little love of
lady; rosy, round, and rolicksome,
plump as a plum, lively as sunshine;
bright as her own eye; sharp, quick, and
keen; as lovely as blue veins, set on lilly
rose color, and blood bounding full oflifo
and spirit through them, could make her
Touch her hand and twill make the tin
Cling blood go galloping through you; her
step like fawn, her waist like fairy's,
sunshine in her face, and joy all over her,
so charming is the little widow Ida Liza.
III was down too seq the widow, yester-
dav," said Tins uncle, ''and she gave me
backbone for dinner. | went down rath-
er early in the morning; we walked laugh
ed, and chatted land run on she going out
and in occasionally to see to things till
dinner was ready, when she helped me
graciously to back bones. Now l thought
that, Tim, rather favorable. took it as
symptom of personal appreciation, be-
cause everybody knows love back-bones,
and tiattered myself she had cooked
them on purpose for me. So grew par
ticularly cheerful, and I thought I could
see it in her too. So after dinner, while
sitting close beside the widow, fancied
we both felt sorter comfortable like-I
know | felt that had fallen over head
and ears and heart in love with her, and /
imagined, from the way she looked, she
had fallen teeth and toe-nails in love with
me-. She appeared just now for all the
world like she thought lit was coming,
that was going to court her. Present.
ly, l couldn't help it, laid my hand soft
ly on her beautiful shoulder, and l re-
marked, when l had placed it there, in
my blandest tones, Tim, for l tried to
throw my whole soul into the expression,
remarked then, with my eyes pouring
love, truth and fidelity right into her.
"Widow, this is the incest, softest place, l
ever had my hand in, in all my life"
Looking benevolently at me, and
at the same time flushing up a little,
she said, in melting, winning tones, Doc
tor, give me your hand, and I'll put
it on much softer place."
eIn moment, in a rapture consented,
and taking my hand, she gently, very
gently, Tim, and quietly laid it on my
Aeod-and burst out into laugh-it's
ringing in my ears YETI
"Now, Tim, / haven't told this to a
living soul but you, and by inks you
mustn't; but couldn't hold it any lon
ger, 50 tell you; but mind, it mustn't go
any further"