The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-01-28
From Peterson'a Magazine.
WHAT A PRETTY LITTLE HAND.

am not bashful man. Generally
speaking, am fully as confident and for
ward rs most Of my sex. Idress weA,
dance well, sing tolcrably; don't tread on
ladies dresses, when make my bow; and
l have not the trick Of coloring to the roots
OF my hair when Lam spoken to. Yet,
there was one period Of my life when all mer-
Hs seemed to my own eyes insignificant. and |
felt very modest, not to say bashful. It was
when was in love. Then, sometimes did not
know where to put my hands and feet. Did
mention that in the said hands and feet
consists my greatest beautyl They are
both small.
Three years ago. fell in love. did
not walk into it quietly, weighing my idols
perfections against her defects. fell in,
head and ears, two seconds after the intro.
duction.
"Mr. Haynes, Miss Arnold" said mutual
friend, and 10! WAS desperately in love.
She was little fairy figure, with long brown
curls floating over snowy neck and should.
ers, and falling down on the waist Of an
enchanting sky-bluc dress. Her large, dark
blue eyes were full Of saucy light, yet, oh :.
how tender and loving they could look.
{This found out latcr)
Ofall the provoking, tantalizing little
coquettes, that ever tcascd the heart out of
poor man, Susy Arnold wa. the most,
bewitching. I would pass an evening with
her, and SO homo certain that one
more interview would make Inc the happi-
est OF 'ne", I~t I'll" next time met her. a
amy castles She was i;"1a Very ;!''s:s cautious
Not word did she drop to make me be.
i'evo that she loved mo: and vet her han,l
would l'nger i'll mine, her color rise if I
looked my feeling, and her eyes droop, TO
DO raised again in an instant, full of laugh
ing defiance. She declared her intention
to be an old maid emphatically, and in the
next sentence would add, 81 never dill love,
but l should take fancy to ANYBODY. /
should love him like-like house fire
Though" she would say, carelesslv, IL never
saw anybody yet worth settling my thoughts
upon"
tried in thousand ways TO make her
oetray some interest in myself Propose
outright could not. She had way when
eyer tried it, of looking i'll my faco with
mn air Of grave attention, Of profound inter.
ests, that was equivalent in its effect 10
knocking mo down; it took all the breath
oat Of me.
"One evening, while there was seized
with violent headache. l told her was
subject to such attacks, anu the gipsy, put
ting on grave face, gave me lecture on
the subject Of health winding up with
The best thing you can do is to get {.
wife to take care Of you, and to keep vou
from over study. l advise you to do it, If
you can get andbody TO have you"
"lndeed," I said, rather piqued, "there
are only too many. refrain from selec.
ton for fear Of breaking other hearts. How
fond all the ladies arc of mel" I added,
conceitedly, "though cant sec that 7 am
particularly fascinating"
'Netber can l." said susy, with an air Of
perfect simplicity.
"Can you?' said I, Il hoped-hoped
-" Oh! that dreadfulIy attentive
face OF hers. THAT io, Miss susy, 1 thought,
perhaPs-oh !! my head my head " and
buried my face in the cushion.
"Does it ache very bady9" she asked,
tenderly and she put her cool little hand in
among my curls. I ieIt the thrill of her fin.
gers gave me, all tho way to the toes Of my
boots. My head being realIyssery painful
was obliged to leave: but, MI the way
home, the soft, cool touch of these little
fingers fingered upon my brow.
Soon after this, it became necessary for
me to leave the city on business. An offer
OF lucrative partnership in the South in
the Office of lawyer friend of mine, made
me decide to extend my trip, and see how
the "land lay" One thing was certain,
could not leave home, for months, perhaps
years, without some answer from Susy.
Dressed in my most faultless costume, and
full of hope, went to Mr.. Arnold's. Susy
was in the parlor, at thepiano, alone. She
nodded gayly, as I came in; but continued
her song. 1t was, "I've something sweet
to tell you"
"At those words, ~ love you I adore
you!" she gave me such a glance. was
ready to PROSTATE myself; but, sweeping
back the ourls with laughing defiance, she
warbled, "But I'm talking in my sleep"
"Then," I cried, "you love me when you
sleep! May l think so7''
"oh! yes, ifyou choose: for Rory O O'More
says that dreams go BY contraries, you
know"
~ / sat down beside her. "hh!" / said,
sigbing, sRory's idol dreamed she hated
him."