Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-09-02

in his Sunday best" he might have
been seen striking Decline for Squire
Dearborn's. About nine o'clock the old
folks would go off to bed, leaving Joshua
and Mary together. And there he would
sit, looking straight into the fire, scarcely
daring to move or breathe, with the mo-
mentous question trembling on the very
tip of his tongue, yet never leaving it.
No nearer toward the object of his visit
when he left the house than when he en-.
tered it.
Things went on in this way number
of months. But at last an event occur
red which gave Joshua quite start, A
sol of DR.. Hale, the village physician,
came home from college, where he had
graduated, it was said, with considerable
distinction. He was tall, lank smooth
faced fellow, with more learning than
brains, and more brass than either. He
saw Mary in church the first Sabbath
after his return, and took great fancy
to her, and commenced paying her con-
siderable attention.
Young Hale had always been Mary's
particular aversion. She had disliked
him from his boyhood; but she did not
scruple to Airt with him little, hoping
to arouse Joshua's jealousy and bring
him to the point.
1t seemed to have its effect for hear
ing that Mr.. Lawrence, one of his neigh
bors, thriving farmer, intended to give
a party, and having obtained an inkliug
in some way that that college chap, as he
termed his rival, intended to take his
Mary, he went over to Squire Dearborn's
early the next morning and asked her
himself.
Delighted at the success of her ma
neuvre, Mary gave smiling consent,
and at the appointed time, much to the
chagrin of the young collegian, who had
intended to appropriate her to himself,
she went, accompanied by Joshua.
Alarmed at the bare possibility of los
ing her, Joshua appeared like new
man; and instead Of moping in some
corner, as was his wont, not daring to
speak to her or any one else, he remain
ed by her side nearly the whole evening,
scarcely quitting her side for moment
and then only when she requested him
to bring her some refreshments.
Mr.. Hale, who had viewed Joshua's
attentions to Mary with a jealous eye,
heard this request, and being well aware
Of Joshua's laundering propensities, We
ry maliciously placed stool directly in
his way. Pretty soon Joshua came back,
and instead of walking around the stool,
as anybody else would have done, he
stumbled over it, and, sprawing full
length upon the floor, landed the CON
tents Of his haHds-whicii consisted of
cup OF coffee ana plate heaped with
donghnuts, Pump6ln pie, and various
other catables directly IN Mary lap
This unexpected feat produced quite a
sensation. Mary set up loud scream,
and the rest of the company rushed to-
ward her to see what was the matter !;
and it was some time before order was
restored.
When the tumult had in measure
subsidized, Mary looked around for the
unlucky cause Of it, but he was nowhere
to be found Mortified at the ridiculous
figure he cut, and the merriment of those
who witnessed it, he had rushed from the
house, and never stopped or sIacken ed
his speed until he had reached his own
room and bolted the door, firmly resolv-
ing, as he did so, that he never would
speak to or even look at girl again, so
long as he lived.
Poor Mary was more annoyed at Josh
ua's evident discontinue than at the loss
of her dress, which was nearly ruined,
and she conceived stronger dislike than
ever to the young collegiau, who she was
quite sure was at the bottom of it all. -
She resolutely declined his p.ofercd es-
cort at the close Of the entertainment,
going home with one Of her brothers,
leaving him the alternative of attending
sone other lady, or going home by him
self.
Two Sundays passed. and Joshua never
came near her; and on Monday following,
Mary put on her bonnet and shawl, and
went over to the house for the ostensible
purpose of having gossip with old Mrs.
1 Wheat, who lived with her son, but in
reality to find out what had become of
her sensitive lover.
Much to her disappointment, Joshua
was not at home, though she saw a coat
tail quickly disappear through an oppo-
site door as she entered the room, which
she shrewdly conjectured to belong to
him.
After sitting awhile and chatting with
{ the old lady, with whom she was quite
fayorite, Mary arose to 60, saying, as she
did so, that "she guessed she would 20
across the lots as it was considerably
nearer"
She accordingly passed out the back
way. As she was going through the gar
den, she caught glimpse Of Joshua in
an adjoining orchard, walking disconso-
lately among the trees laden with their
luscious fruit, and looking as though he
hadn't friend in the world
lie started and colored as his eyes fell
upon Mary.
"Why, Mr.. Wheat" she exclaimed,
in tone of surprise, "who would have
thought Of finding you here? Why, /.
haven't seen you for an age! Have you
been sick p
"Yes-no-that is, ] haven't been
very well lately" stammercd poor Joshua,
looking as il be had half mind to run
away