Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-04-06
sWEEr NErrrE CRAY
MAKING LOVE ON AN APPLE rREE,

i gay. romplng, saucy piece OF natures hand
work, yet gentle, affectionate withal, possessin
a depth of feeling and sentiment which few al
able to fathom
Now. "sweet Nettie Gray as she was cal
| ed, had long been loved by one Charley Cratic
the handsome young merchant, who kept th
only store the village of NJ could boast O.
where be had, for some four or five years, deal
out sugar, tea, coffee, tobacco, ealicoes, silks
pins, hardware, and d variety of merchandise +
the villagers and the surrounding farmers, an,
had realized quite fortune part of which h
had invested in the purchase OF widow Morton
beautiful cottage and grounds, which at tin
death Of her husband. she had been Obliged t,
dispose of and take cheaper place, where sh,
could live less expensive while from the sur
Plus of the price received for the cottage, sh,
received nice little income. Charley had alst
taken the widows son into the store, as bis in
creased business made it meek ssary to procure
assistance. The salary paid to little Johnny
was material help to his mother, for which
she was very grateful, and she never failed to
speak word in his praise whenever an oppor-
tunity presented.
This with the numberless acts of generosity
which Charley was never tired of performing
made him the hero of that little village, and
caused him to be beloved and respected, by
both old and young, for many miles around
TO say that Nettie Gray was Indifferent to bis
many visits or for the ardent love he enter
tanned for her, would be doing injustice to her
warm, appreciative heart But the spirit of
mischief seemed to possess her, and, though she
was uniformly kind and gentle in her dsposi-
tion towards her lover. and would converse
freely and unreservedly with him upon any top
ic, yet, when he approached the subject nearest
to his heart, she was off like frightened bird
Not that she was afraid of him, or that the
subject was distastefal to her, flor her own
heart was equally interested,) but she delight
ed to tease him, and heartily enjoyed his dis
comfiture on such occasions. She knew he
loved her with all the strength of his soul, and
she had no fear of alternating his affections
from herself-an event which would have given
her the deepest pain.
Charley had began to think seriously of mar
riage; and why not? There stood the cottage
embowered with trees, many of which were
bending under their heavy load of rare fruit
unoccupied. 1t needed only the presence of his
bright eyed Nettie to make it a Paradise
His income was more than sufficient to satisfy
their most extravagant wants, and why should
he not marry? Many times he had visited
Nettie with-the express purpose of making
known his wishes, but he had been as often pre-
vented from saying what he wanted to say, by
the little mischief running away at the first
al,
supplying her place from the many fair dam
seIs in the viage-who would have gladly ac
cepted his hand-was out of the question. Ii
was Nettie he loved, and Nettie only, and he
fcft snra =etaaSned lis afasaetions. but bow
could he ever get married, if he was not per-
mitted to propose? Il must resort TO STRATA
gem, he thought, and he partially formed
many plans to bring the little beauty to terms,
and as often abandoned item.
His mind was busy with such thoughts, as
one bright morning in September he walked
towards Farmer Gray's mansion. E leisurely
ascended the hill, at the top of which, upon a
lovely tableland stood the great old house,
when he was startled by familiar voice, cali
ing:
"Bring the ladder, Dick want to get
down." And looking up he beheld Nettie
seated in the wide spread branches of large
apple tree that stood in the field near the road.
Dick, perched upon the topmost round Of "a lad
der that leaned against pear tree, was quietly
filling basket with the rich fruit.
await minute, Sis" replied Dick. without
looking up; Il have my basket almost full
I'll come in q minute.
Dick evidently began to think there was
something wrong, for as he turned around, his
eye instantly caught sight of our hero coming
up the road, but few rods from where they
were. He instantly descended the tree, but
instead of carrying the ladder to assist his sis
ter to descend, he gave loud shout, throwing
his cap into the air, cleared the wall with
bound, and ran rapidly down the hill, shout
ing at the top of his yoiee-"O, Mr. Grafton,
I've treed coon!7 Then placing his hands
upon the ground before him he turned some
five or six somersaults, picked up his cap, and
ran with ali his might to the house. The lit
tie rouge evidently loved mischief as well as
did his pretty sister.
Charley's first thought was to go to the as
sistance of Nettie, and he leaped the wall and
approached the tree. Taking the ladder from
the upper tree he was about placing it for her
to descend, whena sudden thought suggested
itself. "She cannot run away from me now"
and not stopping to consider the ungallant act,
he grasped lower branch, and with some gay
remarks, swung himself lightly up and took
seat by her side.
Nettie, who was an amiabie girl, and could
take a joke as good naturedly as she could give
one, oddly laughed heartily at the trick her
brother had played upon her, compliment ed
Charley upon his agility, and invited him to
help himself to the blushing fruit that hung in
such tempting provisions about them. After
chatting on a variety of themes, he determined
to approach the subject, and, if possible, get
an intelligent answer For sore time, he sat
in silence, then said:
"Nettie, have something to say to you."
"Ah, have you p she replied. "Well, Char
ley, please help me down, and you can say it as
we walk to the house"
Charley saw the mischief in her eyes, and re-
solved to go on without needing her request,
yet he changed somewhat in his mode of at
tack.
"Nettie, am going to be married."
Married, Charley, married 2"
Without needing the playful glances that
was raised to her face, he went on:
ayes, Nettie; my business is now very pros
perous--I have pretty home, which needs
only the additional charm of pair of bright
eyes. / have found sweet gentle girl, whom
love with all my heart and who is willing to
become my wife; and / have resolved to mar
ry. have tried a long time to tell Won. Init
you would not hear it."
Nettie had listened to this speech in utter
amazement. She had long believed that she
was the beloved of Charley Graftons heart,
and she meant-after she had teased him to her
hearts content, to listen to his love and be-
come the dutiful and loving wife. But her
hopes were now suddenly dashed to atoms
! IL vvas foo rnuch A .,;cll;.,.s 1-. - I