The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-05-06
ESaIertfn Galf.
From the Toledo Blade.
TIae Game of Checkers.

y-Gc cNehsh2s ulu you SfCA ASTt diiy odS
p@p the question y
m Why, certainly, child, I heard your
UpcIe Charlie pop It, as you call it,"
" fsOh, res, of course" said Fanny, but
one doesn often tell tLeir own experience.
I mean, did you ever hear any one else p
Well, yes, replied Aunt Molly, slow
ly, " | d;a happen to once"
40 please tell me all about it, cried
Fanny, 81 would SO much like to be a
little mouse in The wall, on spch an occa-
siou.'
Fanny was Just turned of fifteen, and
it was very natural that she should want
to be posted.
"Very WE'LL" said Aent Molly "get
your work, then, for | don't like to talk
TO an Idle listener
Fanny established herself, and Aunt
Molly began. at was about ten years
after | was married, and house keeping,
that cousin VIII Morris, uncle Beniamin's
son, came to live with US that is he was
q partner in your uncle Charles store,
and boarded with Us, You never saw
VIII, did you ?''
Fanny nodded her head, and Aunt
Molly went Oh.
He WAS whole souled, straight for
ward, substantial young man, moi lacking
in polish either bat very bashful, SO much
so, that | used really pity him sometimes,
when we had young company. Aunie
Evans was an cid school mate OF mine, aud
just after | went to housekeeping her
parents moved 70 Oxford, and lived only
a short distance from US. Annie used
frequently to bring her work, aud spend
the evening with ne, and uncle Charlie
would go home with her. Those were
rare times, Fanny; and we enjoyed them
fully. Annie gas real woman none Of
your nonsensi6al, love-sick girls, whose
head are 50 full OF beaux that they won't
hold anything else"
Fanny blushet as Aunt Molly said this.
put Aunty looked very demure, and con-
tinued.
And knowing her, and loving her as
did, felt particularly anxious that she
should be well settled in life"
"I'hat means, with good husband"
remarked Fanny, roguishly.
Certainly" said Aunt Molly; "and
after Will came, and I beceme acquainted
with him, J. took it into my head that he
and Annie would make capital match
But, somehow, after he came, Annie did
not come so often; and VIII, who Was
very entertaining in his convoysation when
we were alone, in her presence, was ST.
lent, and awkward in his manner, as if
under restraint and Annie took but little
notice of him, only so Tar as polteness re-
quired, and requested me privately to ar
range, that Uncle Charlie should still 90
home with her, that is, if he had no CO.
jectlons. So the young peoples acquaint-
'ance progressed slowly. Tine and habit
arrange these things beautifully and grad
ually they came to be more familiar, so as
even to cali each other by their Christian
names. | helped about that though, for
! could not bear the formality Of MI Nor
ris and Miss Evans. Just as expected.
Will became very much interested in An
ME for that matter he had admired her
from the first, but he was modest in his
pretensions, and seemed to regard her a.:
beyond his reach. At any rate, he could
not summon courage to speak ON the sub
ject nearest his heart"
How did you know that? Aunt Molly,
inquired Fanny.
"Oh, from obselvation,' y replied Aunt
Molly, "ard Annie did not help the mat
ter any, for though she was quite friendly
and social in his company, yet there was
nothing in her manner that betrayed the
slightest interest in him. Well one even
ing Annie had been spending the after
noon with me, and we were about talked
out, when Will came home from the store,
and | proposed their playing checkers.
Uncle Charles had gone to political meet
ing. | sat some distance of, sewing, and
with one eve Watching the game. They
were both good players, and for a long
time moved silently, each apparently in
tent On the game. At length, as if con
scious that her success was hopeless, An
ME remarked, identifying herself with the
man she was movingj " see you are after
me, Will"
off catch you, spoke VIII with sud
den energy, "will you leave ME in undis-
puted possession p
Annie looked up, startled by his man
ner, and seeing in his eager face the mean
ing he had placed upon her words, paused,
blushed deeply, hestitated and presently
replied: " Perhaps SO; if you and Mary
will promise never to tell any body that l
popped the question"
Will rose hastily, dropped the board
the checkers ran all over the floor, and
taking Annie by the hand, led her to me,
saying "Cousin Mar, do you think
deserve this happiness "
Certainly, Will," replied, "and l
congratulate you most sincerely" andnow,