The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-05-29

was not alone the affair or the stolen
corn that troubled Tip but from the
fact that Pericles was ordered, he sus-
pccted that Cephas likewise purposed
paying visit to Nancy BlyAn. Re-
solved to wait and watch his departure,
he lay under the dusty roof, chewing the
bitter cud of envy, and now and then a
stem of new-mown Timothy, till Cephas
entered the stalls beneath, and said :,
g Be still !" in his clear, resonant tones,
to Pericles.
Pericles uttered a quick, low whinny
of recognition, and ceased paving the
floor.
care you there, Cephas 2" presently
said another voice.
1t was that of the Judge, who had fol-
lowed his son into the barn. Tip lay
with his elbows on the hay, and listened.
"Going to ride, are you Who sad
died this horsel"
"Tip," replied Cephas.
" He didn't half curry him. Wait a
minute. I'm ashamed to let horse go
out looking So"
And the Judge began to polish off
Pericles with wisps Of straw.
=" Darned eff care !" muttered Tip.
"Cephas, ~ said the Judge, {" I don't
want to make you vain, but | must say
you ride the handsomest colt in the
county. I'm proud of Peri,les. Does
his shoe pinch him lately -
"Not since twas set. He looks we'll
enough, father. Your eyes are better
than NINE" said Cephas, " if you can
see any dust on his coat"
81 luf to rub colt. 1t does 'em so
much good" rejoincd the Judge
"Cephas, if you're going by Squire
stedman's, I'd like to have you call and
get that mortgage"
&c don't think | shall ride that way,
father. I'll go for it IN the morning,
however"
"Ncver mind, unless you happen that
way. just hand me wisp of that
straw, Cephas.'
Cephas handed his father the straw.
The Judge rubbed away some seconds
longer, then said, carelessly.
eff you are going up the mountain, l
wish you would stop and tell Colby I'll
take those lambs, and send for 'em next
week."
" I'm not sure that I shall go as far
as Colby's," replied Cephas.
" People say"-the Judges voice
changed slightly" you don't often get
farther than the widow Blynn's when you
travel that road. How is it -
"Ask the widow" said Cephas.
"Asl her daughter, more like" re-
joined the Judge. "Cephas, I've kind
O. felt as though | ought to have little
talk with you about that matter. l
hope you amt fooling the girl, Ccphas."
And the Judge, having preached the
subject to which all his rubbing had
been Introductory, and his remarks a
prologue, waited anxiously for his sons
reply.
Cephas assured him that he could
never be guilty of deceiving any girl
much less one so worthy as Miss Nancy
Blynn.
"I'm glad to bear it! !" exclaimed the
Judge. "Of course l never believed
you could do such thing. But we
should be careful ofappearances, Cephas.
(Just another little handful of straw !;
that will do.) People have already got
up the absurd story that you are going
to marry Nancy
Tips ears tingled. There was brief
silence, broken only by the resting of
the straw. Then Cephas said,
"Why absurd, father %
"Absurd-becausc-why, of course,
it isn't true, is it %
81 must confess, father,' replied Ce-
phas, " the idea has occurred to me that
Nancy-would make me-a good wife, y
1t is impossible to say which was the
most astonishcd by this candid avowal,
the Judge or Master William Tansley.
The latter had never once imagined that
Cephas' intentions respecting Nancy
were SO serious and now the inevitable
conviction force itself upon him, that, il
his rich rival really wished to marry her
there was no possible chance left fol
him, smotc lis heart with qualms OF
despair.
Cephas, you stagger me - said the
Judge. "A young man of your educa-
ton and prospects,
"Nancy is not without some education
father" interposed Cephas, as the Judge
hestated. {" Better than that, she has
heart and soul. She is worthy to be
any mans wife''
Although Tip entertained precisely
the same opinions, he was greatly dis,
mayed to hear them expressed so gener.
ously by Cephas.
The Judge rubbed away again a
Pericles' TANKS and shoulde.s with wisp.
of straw.
aNo doubt, Cephas, you think So
and sartin haven't anything agin
Nancy.-she's good girl enough, fur
know. But just reflect on't-you'r'
of age, and in one sense you can do as
you please, but you amt too old to hea
to reason. You know you might marry
most any girl you choose"
I" So | thought, and choose Nancy
answered Cephas, preparing to lead GU
Pericles.
81 wish the hoss'd fling him, ant
break his neck" whispered the devil il
Tips heart.