Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1858-05-18
Mtsetllanp.
ME DID, AND THEN HE DIDN'T.

James Smith was bad man, at least
everybody said so, and that must be true.
Though he was an accommodating neigh
Dor, and went to meeting Sundays. aud
had been known to tell his experience, the
wickedness Of which drew many sigh
and groan from the pious old deacons. He
used to drop dime into the contribution
box, and sometimes n quarter, but then
that wasn't ALL He was said to be guilty
Of paying more attention to a couple of
black eyes, than TO the devout teaching of
the minister, aud the sigh which now and
then escaped his breast, was not exactly
of the go-to-meeting character. Kate
Hopkins had the eyes above alluded to,
how hate such eyes, and had good
bringing up, but they were little too
black and mischieSous for the welfare Of
her heart. She boarded at James house
James was married man, She, too,
went to meeting regular, but was particu-
larly fond going evenings. Mrs. Smith
staid at home then, and took charge of
three or four little curly headed chill
dren, Mrs. Smith began to think Though
she didn't say anything about it) that her
husband was getting pious rather too fast,
or that the minister preached better SER
mons in the evening than in the day
time. Mrs. Smith was an observing wo-
man, and had noticed that James and
Kate would come home slower than the
rest of the congregation, and some other
little things she did not think best to say
anything about. ] did not say that Mrs.
Smith was a jealous woman, but sho cer-
tainly had some very strange feelings.
One Sunday evening just before meeting
was out, she thought she would while away
a few minutes time by sitting under grape
vine by the gate, 1t was a warm night
the new moon, too small to stay up late,
had disappeared entirely. Presently the
sound of footsteps we're heard, the steady
measured tread of old men with thick
boots, and young men with their best new
calf-skins, and the stamping of still small
or ones, which made such n racket that
she liked TO have got up and run but she
didn't.
1t was soon still, however, and no one
had disturbed the gate! She could not
have been mistaken in this, for she WAS
close by it, and it never opened without a
long grating or growing ftulse, as though
1t hated to be disturbed. Harh! the care
full step Ct man approaches and the pat
ting of a little gaiter boot falls softly on
the night air! 1t nears, though slowly,
and tho quick hearing ears of Mrs. Smith
caught something like the sound of muf-
fled whispers. They came nearer, and
finally stopped. Mrs. Smith held her
breath, while Mr.. Smith tttrned his back
toward her, Kate leaning partially on him
Oh, that her ears had been deaf, that her
little Auttering heart was not susceptible
Of such agitation. Was she in her right
mind, or had some wild fancy taken pos
session Of her thoughts? She was not
crazy but her ears could not well n1isun-
derstand at reaching distance. Smith
spoke first after moments 8 pause.
There is but one thing left for us to do!'
And that? softly whispered his com
pauion, clinging closely to him all the
while.
Fly, fly with me--dearcst, away from
this unhappy spot, where l can pour ont
my love at your feet, and forever bask in
the sunshine Of your charms. The world
will be nUught to me unless can clasp
You to my heart. and not feel the pleasure
to be momentary and feeting'
Il am yours foIeVeff' sighed Kate, lean
ing her head upon his shoulder, 'aud what
ever be your wishes, will only be too
happy in obeying your requests
Tomorrow night, then,' answered
James, you will meet me at the foot ol
the lane, at ten o'clock, where l will have
a carriage in readiness, and ere the night
dawns upon US we will be out Of reach ol
horn or dan,,or frfum EancN aoJ I cI,.,I
not care for any one else
Il will be there at the hour. said Kate
and now we must go i,ncr Nancy will y,
uneasy
But before they disturbed the ~ y gate.