Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-06-04
VOL. XII.
THE GAME OF CHECKERS.

ming, "did you ever hear any one pop the oues
tiOn?'
Why, certainly, child, heard your Uncl,
| Charles pop it'
"oh, yes, of course" said Fanny; "but one
doesn often tell their own experience l NEAR
did you ever hear any one else9''
Well, yes, replied Aunt Molly, slowly
did happen to. once"
Oh, then please tell me all about il, :" cried
fanny would so like to be little nous
IN the wall on such an occasion -
Fanny was just turneI of fifteen, and il was
very natural that she should want to be posted
Very well. - said Aunt Molly, get youl
work, them for don't like to talk to an idle
listener
Fanny established herself, and Aunt Molly
began.
IT was about ten years after L was married
and housekeeping, that Cousin Will Morris
Uncle Benjamin's son, came to live with us
that is. he was partner in your Uncle Char
lies store, and boarded with us. You never
saw Will, did you2'
Fanny nodded her head, and Aunt Molly
went on - He was a whole-souled, straight
forward, substantial young man, not lacking in
polish, either; but very bashfuI; 50 much 80,
that L used to pity him sometimes, when we
had young company. Annie Evans was an old
schoOlmate OF mine, and just after went to
housekeeping, her parents moved to Oxford
'Ou Jul ~ ulSldUC6 from US. annie
used frequently to bring her work. and spend
the evening with me, and Uncle Charlie would
go home with her. Those we're rare times
Fanny, and We enjoyed them fully. Annie
was a real woman-nOne of your nonsensical
iove-sick girls, hose heads are so full of boaux
that they won't hold anything else"
Fannie blushed as Aunt Molly said this; but
aunty looked very demure; and continued
" And Knowing her, and loving her, as | did, |
felt particularly anxious that she should be
well settled IN life
That means with good husband" re-
marked Fanny, roguishly.
Certainly, said Aunt Molly, and after
Will came, and | became acquainted with him,
L took 1t into my head that he and Annie
| would make capital match. But somehow,
after he came, Annie did not come 50 often:
and viii, who was very entertaining in his
| conversation, when we wero alone, in her pres
ence was silent and awkward in his manner
aS If under restraint; and Annie took but lii
tic nOtlce OF him, only as far as politeness re-
quired, and requested me privately to 80 ar
range it that Uncle Charlie should still 90
home with her, that is, if he had no objections
GO the young peoples acquaintance progressed
slowly. Time and habit arrange these things
beautifully Y, and gradually they camo to be
more familiar, so as to call each other by their
Christian names. helped about that though.
for could not bear the formalities of Mr.
Morris and Miss Evans. Just as [ expccted
VIII became very much interested in Annie
for that matter he had admired her from the
first, but he modest in all his pretensions.
and seemed to regard her as beyond his reach
At any rate, be could not summon coura 20
enough to speak on the subject nearest his
heart
How did you know that, Aunt Molly 20
asked Fanny.
oh, from observation, replied Aunt Molly.
And Annie did not help the matter 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 evening, Annie had been spending
the afternoon with me, and we were about
talked out. when Will came home from the
store and L proposed their playing checkers.
Uncle Charlie had gone to political meeting.
L sat some distance off, sewing, and with one
eye Watching the game. They were both good
players, and tor long time moved silently,
each apparently intent on the game Atlcngth.
as II conscious that her success was hopcicss,
Annie remarked, as if identifying herself with
with the man she was moving, " I see you arc
after me, Will
" If L catch you spoke Will. with sudden
energy, will you leave me in undisputed
possession ~
Annie looked up, startled by his manner, and
seeing IN his eager face the meaning he had
placed upon her words, paused blushed deep
ly, hesitated, and presently replied perhaps
81; II you Gnd Mary will promise never to tell
anybody that | popped the question:
-" Will rose hastily, dropped the board-the
checkers ran all over the floor, and taking An
ME by the hand, led her to lie saying Cou-
SIN Mary, do you think deserve this happi-
ness -
Certainly, Will" replied, "and con-
gratulate you most sincerely; and now, if you
VIII come out OF your happy state and pick
up these checkers, / will be much Obliged 10
you"
viii and Annie laughed heartily, and began
picking them up with alacrity; and as Will
picked up tie board to put it away, he re-
remarked" that was the pleasantost game Of
checkers ever played in my life"
Annie said nothing, but looked very rosy
AMI smiling AVID now, said Aunt Molly, . are
| you satisfed2''