The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-10-13
A Race for a Sweetheart.

A Race for q Sweetheart.
Hardly any event creates stronger sem
sation in thinly settled New.England vii
lage, especially among the young folks, than
the arrival of fresh and blooming Miss. who
comes to make her abode in the neighbor-
hood. When, therefore, Squire johnson,
the only lawyer in the place, and very re.
spectable man, Of course, told farmer Jones
one afternoon that his wife's sister, smart
girl Of eighteen, was coming in few days to
reside in the family, the news flew like wild
fire through Pond village, and was the prin-
cipal topic of conversation for week. Pond
village is situated upon the margin of one of
those numerous and beautiful sheets of water
that gem the whole surface of New England
like the bright stars in an evening sky, and
received its appellation to distinguish it from
two or three other villages in the same town,
which could not boast of similar location.
When farmer Jones came in to his supper
about sunset that afternoon, and took his
seat at the table, the eyes of the whole fami-
ly were upon him, for their was peculiar
working about his lips that aiways told them
when he had any thing ofinterest to commu.
nicate. But farmer Jones' secretivenes was
large, and his temperament not the most ac.
tive, and he would probably have rolled the
important secret as sweet morsel under his
tongue for long time, had not Mrs. Jones,
who was rather ofan impatient and prying
turn of mind, contrived to draw it from him.
"Now, Mr. JONES' said she, as she hand
ed him his cup of tea, "what is it J on are
going to say? Do out with it; for you've
chewed something or other over in your
mind ever since you came into the house."
ats my tobaceer s'pose," said Mr.
Jones, with another knowing glance of his
eve. ~# aE
"Now, father, what's the use ~ said Susan:
1--WE all know you've got something or other
YOU want to say, and why can't you tell US
what 'tis" "a
LA, who cares what It's" said Mrs.
Jones, if it is worth telling we shouldn't
have to wait for it, dare say.n
Hereupon Mrs. Jones assumed an air of
the most perfect indifference, as the surest
way of conquering what she pleased to call
Mr.. Jones' obstinacy, which, by the way was
very improper term to apply in the case,
for it was purely the workings of secretive-
ness, without the least particle of obstinacy
attached to it.
There was pause of two three minutes
In the conversation, till Mr.. Jones passed his
cup to be filed the second time, when With
couple Of preparatory hens, be began to
let out the secret. -
1--WE are to have new neighbor here in
a few days." said Mr.. Jones, stopping short
when he had uttered this much, and slipping
his tea and filing his mouth witt, food
Mrs. Jones, who was perfect in her tactics,
said not : word, hut attended, to the affairs
Of the table as though she had not noticed
what had been said. The farmers secretive.
ness had at last worked itself out, and he
began again
esquire Johnson's wife's sister is coming
here in few days, and is going to live with
'em.
The news being thus fairly divulged, left
free scope for conversation. . a-ss
"Well, wonder If she is q proud, stuck
up piece" said Mrs. Jones. .ss.s.s.-.
81 shouldn't think she would be-" said
Susan, 7"for ther amt amore socable woman
in the neighborhood than Mrs. johnson. So
if fshe is at al like her sister, think we shall
like her.
II wonder how old she is ?' said Stephen.
who was just verging towards the close of his
tweniy-first year. N 80 13IE
"The Squire called her eighteen" said
Mr.. loaes., giving sly wink to hiswife, as
ifto say, that's about the right age for Ste.
phen.
II wonder ifshe is handsome" said Su.
sanswhe was somewhat vain yof her, own
looks, and having been sort Of reiyhninc
belle in Pond village Tor some time, she felt
allttle alarmed at the idea Of rival. RywsB'
"1 dare be bound she's Handsome said
Mrs. Jones, "if she's sister to Mrs. johnson,
for where'n you find . handsomer woman
than Mrs. johnson, 90 the town through"
After supper Stephen went down to Mr..
Robiasen'sstors. and told the news to young
Charles Robinson, and the young fellows
who were gathered there for game It qup,ts
and ring 1t wrestling. And Susan went
directly over 70 u; Beans and told Pstsy,