The Shasta courier., 1860-01-07
CHAPTER n.

On the night before our party separated, we
| had grand performance of charades and, in
the last of these the Reverend Mr. Lee had won
immense applause furious captain of ban
ditti, acting with the greatest enthusiasm, and
having composed for himself with the co-opera-
tion of a cork, a pair of mustachios, which ri
vailed Charley's. We were to appear at supper
in our charade costumes and were waiting the
announcement of that rejection, when | noticed
an extraordinary phenomenon which caused me
instantly and earnestly to whisper to Miss o.
Hara, {" have something to say to you. Come
| at once"
We passed unnoticed from the crowded draw
ingroom into the library, still Uttered with our
theatrical properties. Selling a dagger as
suming characteristic scowl, Il was attired as
a brgands assistant) bade her "Listen !" And
she, Il see her now, in her pretty hat and cloak,
for she had represented in our last scene the
young English countess stopped by the robberS)
ever ready for burlesque and mirth-as she sup
posed all this to be-made answer, solemnly
| .Twelve years ago, Catherine O. 'Hara, WOO
ed and won in the home of your childhood the
! lady who is now my wife. On a sweet sum-
mer's eve told my love, sitting under an acacia,
| and upon garden-seat the property of your
respected sire. Hard by, you, then little child,
were swinging in a swing. Those same long
silken Irish lashes dropped over those deep blue
eyes, and we never dreamed that you took note
of US, sealing, in the usual manner, our vows of
mutual love. Judge, then, how intense our ag-
ony, how complete and awful our amazement
when, as we rejoined the festive throng for cof-
fee, you cried aloud, for all to hear
"Oh, mama those two did so kiss each 9TH
er, when was swinging in the elm p
"For twelve years, Kate OHara, the memory
of that humiliation has troubled my indignant
soul but, at last am reyenged-look heren'
held before her one of the hand looking
glasses which lay on the table near and she was
preparing to say something in the dramatic
style, as she snatched it from me with the proud
air of dramatic Queen, when her eve caught
the reflection of her face, and in a moment that
fair countenance was blanched and pale and
she stood with her head dropping, speechless-
For upon her lip, reader, she saw, as had seen,
the certain sigu and trace that, in some obscure
corner, behind the scenes, the race had been de-
cided for the " OHara stakes" and that the Bri-
gand Lee had iron.
"Kate," said L" you can not be vexed with
me, for | congratulate you with all my heart
May you be as happy, dear girl, with your friend
the Robber, as "those two have been happy,
whom you saw " so kissing one another" from
beneath those silken lashes, % as you sat swing
ing in the elm"
yer in embryo, wishing to obtain a license, vis-
tied the county seat to be examined by one of
the judges Ths old judge on whom he called
was fond of good liquor, and when the young
man came in excessively embarrassed, the Judge
wishing to reassure him, said, Come, Mr.. Ben
son, take glass of brandy with me-"
At any other time BIS eyes would have
sparkled equal to the brandy; but in his confu-
sion he replied:
mo, thank you, judge never drink bran
dy."
Returning the brandy, the Judge produced
bottle of champagne, and said, Then take
glass of wine with men
BIS embarrassment not lessened, replied =
" No, thank you, Judge, never drink winen
| Not to be defeated, the Judge then said-
Well, Mr.. Benson, you will certainly take
| glass of water with me-"
/ By this time B., who did not know definitely
whether he was in the Judges room or on
Mount Etna, in great confusion replied, " No,
thank you, Judge / neuer drink WATER p
The Judge gave in ="