Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-06-17
The Game of Checkers.

Il lhC Wa AAAC VI OASNNNA -
.Aunt Molly" said Fanny Osborn, on
evening, "did you ever hear any one pol
the question:"
"Why, certainly. child, heard you
uncle Charles pop it."
."Oh, yes, of course" said Fanny, "buI
one doesn't often tell their own experience
1 mean did you ever hear any one else?
"Well, yess," replied aunt Molly, slowly
Il did happen TO once
"Oh,. please tell me all about it." cried
Fanny, 81 would so like to be little mouse
in the wall on such an occasion"
Fany was just turned to fifteen and it
was yerv natural that she should want to
be posted.
@Very well then," said aunt Molly, aget
your work, then, for don't like to talk to
an idle listener"
Fanny established herself, and aunt Mol
ly began.
at was about ten years after was mar
ried, and house keeping, that cousin Will
Morris, Uncle Benjarnin's son, CAME 10 live
with .us; that is he was partner in your
uncle Charles store, and boarded with US.
You never saw Will did you!"
Fanny nodded her head, and auut Molly
went on. ale was whole-souled, straight
forward substantial young man, not lacking
in polish either; but very bashful, so much
so, that used really to pity him some
times, when we had young company. An
ME Evans was an old school mate of mine,
and just after went to house keeping, her
parents moved TO Oxford, and lived only a
short distance from us. Annei used fire.
quently to bring her work, and spend the
evening with me, and uncle Charlie would
90 home with her. Those were rare times,
Fanny, and we enjoyed them fully. Annie
was real woman; none of your nonsensi-
cal, love sick girls, whose heads are so full
of beaux that they won't hold anything
else"
"Fannie blushed as aunt Molly said this,
but aunty looked very demure; and cen
Linued: "And knowing her. and loving her,
IS l did, | felt particularly anxious that
she should be will settled in life."
"That means with good husband" re-
marked Fanny, roguishly.
"Certainly," said aunt Molly, "and af-
Ter Will came, and l became acquainted
with him, l 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 Will, who was very
in his conversation when we
were alone, in her presence, was silent and
awkward in his manner,as if under restraint;
and Anne took but little notice of him, on
ly as far as politenes required, and request
ed me privately to so arrange it that uncle
Charlie should still go home with her, that
is if he had no objections. So the young
peoples acquaintance progressed slowly.
Time and habit arrange these things beau
tifully, and gradually they came to be more
familiar, so as TO call each other by their
Christian names. l helped about that,
though, for 1 could not bear the formali
lies of Mr.. Morris and Miss Evans. Just as
expected. Will became very much inter
ssted in Annie; for that matter, he had ad-
nired her from the first, but he was mod
st in all his pretentions, and seemed to re-
gard her as beyond his reach. At any
ate, he could not summon courage enough
% speak on the subject nearest his heart. !"
"How did you know that, aunt Molly?"
.sked Fanny.
"Oh, from observation" replied aunt
Molly, ''and Annie did not help the matter
my, for though she was quite friendly and
ocial in his company, yet there was moth
ng in her manner that betrayed the slight
st intrest in him. Well, one evening, An
lie had been spending the afternoon with
ne, and we were about talked out, when
Will come home from the store and pro-
posed their playing checkers. Uncle Char
lie had gone to political meeting. l set
Watching the game. They were both good
players, and for long time moved silent
y, each apparently intent on the game
At length as if conscious that her success
vas hopeless, Annie remarked, as if iden-
flying herself with the man she was mov-
NO, ~ see you are after me, Will"
If 1 catch you," spoke Will with sudden
mercy, "will you leave me in undisputed
,ossession?"
Annie looked up, startled by his man.
Ter, and seeing in his eager face the mean
ng he had placed upon her words, paused,
flushed deeply, hesitated, and presently
eplied: "perhaps SO; if you and Mary
will promise never to tell anybody that [
popped the question"
Will rose hastely, dropped the board i
he checkers ran all over the floor, and TAX
NC Annie by the hand, led her to me, say
ng: "Cousin Mary, do you think l deserve
his happiness?'
Certainly Will; Ireplied, and l congrat-
late you most sincerely, and now, if you
will come out of your happy state, and pick
lp these checkers l will be much obliged
o you.
Will and Annie laughed heartily, and
'egan picking them up with alacrity, and
IS Will picked up the board to put it away,
lie remarked-"that was the pleasantest
,ame of checkers ever played in my life"
Annie said nothing, but looked very rosy
md smiling, and now, said Aunt Molly
ire you satisfed?"