Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-09-09
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BILL GULL's CoURTsHIP.

BILL GULL's CoURTsHIP.
"I got married when I was twenty" said
Bill Gull, one day. 81 got married to Phebe
Chalk, and all these young Gulls that you
see running round here came from my lump
Of Chalk-by GullW +
Bill Gull always swore "by Gull" 1twas
his only oath. She was lump of Chalk
as large one way as another. Bill Gull was
always backward, bashful youth, and some
surprise was expressed that he ever got mar
riedat all. ..,
"By gull" said he, "my grandmother's
ghost did the job"
"Ghost-job-how's that"
"Plltell you all about it. You see l was
about as green as spring goslin, and
thought Phebe was too By gull, she wasn't
though-but she knew I was. We had a
sneaking notion of each other for about two
years, but it would not have come to anything
if it hadn't been for the ghost. was too
bashful in the way of naming love. could
not sayas much as boo to goose, and Phe-
be, was just as bashful-that is, I thought
80; but she wasn't though, not by a long
shot.
"One night, about half an hour after I
had gone to bed, as I lay thinking Of Phe.
be-for I had been sitting up with her till
rather late hours, as usual, without bringing
anything to pass-the door of my room open
ed slowly and softly, and in walked a ghostly
sceptre. The moon was shining full in my
winder, and I could not be mistaken. 1t
was allwhite. I rose up in my bed, my teeth
chattered, and the perspiration ran off in
streams. 1t came almost to my bedside and
pointed long, bony finger at me, that went
through me like a red-hot iron. tried to
speak, but it was no 60. At last husky
voice said,
"Bill Gull, I am the ghost Of your grand.
mother. Youmust marry Phebe Chalk right
away. You have fooled away your time
long enough. Pop the question before TO-
morrow night, orr will appear again. Do
it, Bill GULF
"The old lady disappered so quick that
could not tell where she went to. Ibid
not sleep wink that night. The old sensa.
tions that kept crawling over me were awful.
I thought I felt my hair turn gray, my teeth
falling out, my legs and arms dropping of,
and all kinds ofqueer feelings. 1t was the
longest night that I ever experienced.-
Morning came at last. I met Phebe in the
dining room, while she was preparing break
fast. She had been our houskeeper ever
since my old grandmother died-three years.
My Mother died the year before.
"Bill, what's the matter with you! asked
Phebe.
"Ifeel pale," said I.
"You look pale" said she.
"Such night w saidI.
"What was the matter, Bill?"
"My grandmother's ghost" |"
"You don't say sol"
eyes, and she said that-
aWhat, Bill" -
aThat must marry you"
NV NaG cISe Dill
7 stThat must pop the question to-day, or
she will come again tonight
"Bill, take my advice, pop the question,
and let the old lady rest in peace"
ri do," said I.
"Well, Bill, I'll have you, just to keep
the old lady quiet, provided, you wont ask
me to-to-s.l-l.eep with You"
81 promised for my grandmother's sake.
"After breakfast, Phebe spoke to the old
gentleman about it. He said it was all
right-go ahead. Well, We went ahead
al least Phebe did.
"In three weeks Phebe Chalk became Mrs.
Gull.
"She guled you completely"
"Yes, found that out, and I'll tell you
how. On the night of our marriage, she
went off to her room, and went to mine
It was according to our agreement; but some
how or other l couldn't help thinking it
wasn't right.
ri reflected upon it for two hours, and,
indeed, more than once invoked my grand
mothers ghost to appear to Phebe, and sof-
ten her heart towards me. Finally, as the
old lady's ghost seemed to take no further
interest in our affairs, I concluded to be
ghost myself. I crawled out of bed and en-
yeloped myself from head to foot in sheet.
Not without total lack of courage-I walk
ed into Phebe's room and stood by her bed
side.
"Good Lord % said she.
"Phebe Chalk" said I.
"I amt Phebe Chalk" said che; 81 am
married, and my name is Phebe Gull-who
are you"
"I am thy grandmother-in-law, and am
come to tell you that it amt good for a man
to lie alone-especially if he has wife"
"Grandmother, that's just what I have
been thinking about ever since l came to
bed. It's very cold night, dear grand
mother, and must be very cold; will you not
get in bed and warm me 7"
"By gull, I had mind to, but | was a.
fraid.
"No," said I, ri must 60 back to the
graveyard. Remember that Bill, your hus-
band is shivering with cold, alone by him
SELF"
"Well, grandmother, hadn't you better
e,o ond Keen Bill warm Y'