The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-10-13

bottomed scow boat, twenty feet long by ten

bottomed scow boat, twenty feet long by ten
wide. H ~
"We don't use no sails, said Jack Bean;
sometimes, when the wind is fair, we put
up bush to help along a little, and when
.tisn't we row."
The party were soon embarked on board
the Sow, and couple Of oars were in motion,
and they glided slowly and pleasantly over
as lovely sheet of water as ever gfowed in
a sunsetting ray.
In about one hours time the whole party
felt perfectly acquainted with Miss Lucy
Brown. She had talked in the most lively
manner, she had told stories aang songs
Among others she had given Moore's boat
song with the sweetest possible effect and
by che time they returned to the landing it
would hardly be too much to say that half
the young men in the party were decidedly
in love with her. -'
A stern regard for truth requires remark
to be made here, not altogeter favorable to
Susan Jones, which is the more to be regret
ted, as she was in the main an excellent
hearted girl, and highly esteemed by the
whole village. 1t was observed that as the
company grew more and more pleasant with
Miss Lucy Brown, Susan Jones was less ami
mated, till at las t she became quite reserved
and apparently sad. She, however, on land
ing, accompanied her home to Squire john
sons door, and cordially bid her good night
The casual glimpses which the young men
Of Pond village had Of Miss Brown, during
the remainder ofthe, week as she occasionally
stood at the door or looked;out at the window,
or once or twice when she walked out with
Susan Jones, and the fair view they all had
of her at the meeting on the Sabbath, served
but to increase their admiration, and to rem
der her more and more sn object of attrac-
ton. She was regarded by all as prize
and several of them were already planning
what steps it was best to take in order to win
her. The two most prominent candidates,
however, for Miss Browns favor, were Charles
Robinson and Stephen Jones. Their posi-
ton and standing among the young men of
the village seemed to put all others in the
background. Charles, whose father was
wealthy, had every advantage which money
could procure. But Stephen, thor gh poor,
had decidedly the advantage of Charles in
personal recommendations. He had more
talent, was more sprightly and intelligent,
and more pleasing in his address. From the
evening of the sail on the pond they had
both watched every movement of Miss Brown
with the most intense interest; and, as moth
| ing had decided lover, each had, with an
interest no less intense, watched every move
ment of the other. They had ceased to speak
to each other about her, and if her name was
mentioned in their presence, both were OBJ
served to color. ..r
| The second week after her arrival, through
the influence of Squire johnson, the district
school was offered to Miss Brown, on the
other side of the pond, which offer was ac-
| cepted, and she went Immediately to take
charge Of it. This announcement at first
threw something ofa damper upon the spr-
its of the young people of Pond village. But
when it was understood that the school would
continue but few weeks, and being but
mile and half distant, Miss Brown would
come home every Saturday afternoon and
spend the Sabbath, it was not very difficult
to be reconciled to the temporary arrange.
mens. The week wore away heavily, espe-
cially to Charles Robinson and Stephen Jones'
They counted the days impatiently till Sat
urday, and on Saturday they counted the
long and tagging hours to noon. They had
both made up their minds that it would be
dangerous to wait any longer, and they had
both resolved not to let another Sabbath pass
without making direct proposal to Miss Brown
Stephen Jones was too early riser for
Charles Robinson, and, in any enterprise
where both were concerned, was certain to
take the lead, except where money could car
ry the palm, and then of course, it was al.
ways borne away by Charles. As Miss
Lucy had been absent most of the week, and
was to be at home that afternoon, Charles
Robinson had made an arrangement with
his mother and sister to have q little tea par
ty in the evening for the purpose of inviting
Miss Brown; and then of course, he should
walk home with her in the evening, and then,
of course would be, good opportunity to