Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-11-19
The CcurtshlP Of
SAM JONES AND SALLY BATES.

buttermilk in a churn ard whether
you saw her carrying eggs to market
on the fea-bitten mare, or helping 10
stir apple-butter at boiling frolic, or
making a long reach at a quilting, or
sitting demureIy in the log meeting
house on Sunday-in short, wherev-
er you saw her, she always looked a:
pretty, if not prettier, than she had
ever done before.
Notwithstanding her attractions, it
will scarcely be credited that Sally
had reached the mature age of eight
cen without suitor. Admirers, nay,
lovers, she had by the score; and
whenever liquor was convenient, ma
ny a sober youth got drunk because
Of her, and many signing bachelor
would gladly have given his riding
horses, or even a share in Dads farm,
for her. There was, indeed, no lack
of ill will on their part the difficulty
was in mastering up courage to make
the proposal. Mankind seemed, fer
once, to be impressed with proper
sense Of lis own unworthiness.
Now, far be it from any one to in
fer from this that Sally was prudish
or unapproachable. On the contra
ry, she was as good humored as come
ly, and disposed to be as lovely as
she was loveable. Poor Sally! 1t is
a great misfortune for a girl to be
too handsome almost as great as to
be too ugly. There she was, sociable
and warm-hearted as pigeon, amia-
BILE as turtle dove, looking soft en-
couragement, as plainly as maiden
mOdestv Dsrmitted, to her bashtut
company OF admirers, who daWdled
about her, twiddling their thumbs, bi-
ting the bark of their riding switches,
and playing a number Of other sheep
ish tricks, but never saying a word TO
the purpose.
Sally was entering on her nine
teenth year, when she was one day
heard to observe that men were slow,
coward creatures in short, good for
nothing but to lay under an apple
tree with their mouths open, and
wait until the apple dropped into
them. This observation was circuia-
ted from mouth to mouth, and, like
the riddle Of the Sphinx, was deeply
pondered by Sally's lovers. If any
of them had wit enough to solve its
@sanR enSagR eertaY ereg S pS HRs had pluck
| Not of this poor spirited crowd
was Sam Bates, a stalwart youth, who
stood, in winter, six feet two inches
in his stockings, Gin summer he didn't
wear any) Sam was not handsome,
in the ordinary sense Of the term.
He was frecklcd, had a big mouth,
and carroty hair. His feet-but no
matter-he usually bought number
fourteen and a half, because they fit
ted him better than sevens or eights.
Sam was a wagon maker by profcs-
sion. owned a flourishing shop, and
several hundred acres of unimproved
land, which secured to him the repu-
tation of independence bold to the
confines of impudence a great tavo-
rite to the fair; with heart as big
as his foot, and a fist like a sledge-
hammer.
Mr.. Bates met Sally Jones for the
first time at a quilting, and at sixty
seconds after sight he had determin
ed to court her. He sat beside her
as she stitched. and even had the au
dacity to squeeze her hand under the
quilt. Truth is mighty and must be
told. Although Sally did resent the
impertinence by stick with her nee
die, she was not half so indignant q:
she ought to have been. l dare not
say she was pleased, but perhaps
should not be far from the truth ii
did. 1t is undeniable that the more
gentle and modest a woman is, tn,
! more she admires courage and bold
ness in the other sex.
Sally blushed every time her eye
, met those of her new beau, and tina
was every time she looked up. A
for Sam, the longer he gazed tn
deeper he sunk in the r:ire Of love
and by the end Of TIE evening hi
: heart and his confidence were bot
D completely overwhelmed.
AS he undertool- to see Sail,
-; home, he felt a numbness in his joint
that was entirely new to him, AM
when he tried to make known hi
sentiments, as he had previously de
termined, he found his heart was St
: swelled up that it closed his throat
and he couldn't utter word.
o What q darned sneak I was.
). groaned Sam, as he turned that nigh
On his sleepless pillow what come
}, over me, that can't speak my min'
to pretty gal without chokin'
o Oh, but she is too pretty to live o.
g this airth. Well, I'm q goin' t
!, church with her tomorrow, and if
don't fix matters afore l go back
then drat me-"
" Tomorrow came, and in due tint
II Bates, tricked off in a bran new twelv
l. dollar suit Of Jews clothes, was o
IS his way to the meeting, beside beat
8 tiful Sally. Ills horse, bedecke
with new saddle with brass stirrup
!. looked as gay as his master.
: AS they rode up to the meeting
y house door, Sam could not forbea