The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1860-01-07
BIZ MARY KYLE DALLAS.

n
sion Of our future spousesz to our expectanti
hearts, Wegwere all girls, and the theme
once started. We discoursed with Folubi.ity
and at length upon love, eourtsnip and wed
ded bliss, handsome suitors and devoted
husbands.
The eldest OF us was barely sixteen, and
among the whole group not one could as
YET, boast of genuine, living lover. Still,
each girl had already enshrined in her soul
some hero of romance with whose proto-
type she firmly expected to- meet in after
life. Lizzie, the eldest, had for her beau
ideal Thaddeus of Warsaw Kate cherish
ed a tender sentiment for Donbey and Sons
Walter Gay land am very much afraid
that my penchant was decidedly for the
handsome though ligbt-fngered Paul Cliff
ford. -----z----.-s,,s-.-....~.--
How the little group would laugh tonight
if could rehearse for their benefit every
word of the merry conversation which pass
ed that happy evening from lip to lip. All,
me the six years which have flown since
then have changed US all to women-wo-
men too sadly wise to tryIproieets pon ALI
Hallow Fen, or to think tenderly of Paul
Clifford. But am wandering from the past
to the present, and must retrace my steps,
We had compared notes of admiration as
to our respective heroes !; had burnt nuts to-
gether upon the same Goals; had thrown
apple parings over our heads to form the
initials of the names which were some day
to be our own; had dropped molten lead in
to water to discover the profession of our
future lords and masters, and were discuss
ing the propriety of sowing hemp seed, aud
eating an apple in the glass at midnight,
whenNa smothered Fcougb or laugh-we
could not tell which--smote upon our ears
and made US all start with astonishment.
"What Is that?', we cried, lbreathlessly,
and with one accord we made plunge to-
ward the hail.. In our excited state, the ap-
partition of some half dozen lovers wraiths
at the same moment would not have aston
ished US in the least, and we, dreaded some
supernatural invasion. u .5esslf~-sss5ss@
''What is that? Oh, good gracious IL
Nobody, nobody only 1 !'' replied al
manly voice from the extension room be-
yond and the doors slowly unfolded, and
revealed nobody" in the person of Uncle
Oliver. 9s zsl8
"Girls, girls, foolish girls ! be warned by
me and neither eat the apple or SOW the
hemp seed on peril of your reason u said
Uncle Oliver in tone which was a perfect
mixture of jest and earnest.
"Why not uncle? Do you think it is
wicked ?" asked: p G.-a.i--o0
Think it is dangerous, very dangerous, -
replied Uncle Oliver solemly. 1.-THE sight
of an apparition, summoned by an act of lev
ity such as either of those you mention, is |
an overwhelming shock to almost anyImind. -
t'Then you believe in it 2? You have seen
something yourself? Tell US all about it
do tell us, Uncle Oliver!'' aresounded on
all sides, and we crowded around the old
gentleman with eager and expectant faces,
chatting like so many magpies. 2s.G.e.ei
Uncle Oliver sat down III a great arm
chair in the middle of the room, still look
ing at US very seriously. $50 you want me
to tell you what have seen ?''a'- he said
"Well, have only one objection--you can't
be quiet long enough to listen. ogss~s5i1s}
"Just try usi Wen be as mute as mice"
replied Jessie. Come, girls be quiet, and
sit down. $500 -
In proof of our ACQUAINTANCE, we all
ranged ourselves npenSchairs, which we drew
in a semicircle about Uncle Oliver, aad
awaited the forthcoming tale With the great
est anxiety, for Uncle Oliver was famous
story teller r u
Years and years ago." began the old
gentleman-zpI won't say just how many
but it was when was little more than eight
cen yearsSof age Il lived with my mother
and father in a small settlement within
days ride Of the city of Cincinnati. Ny
father was farmer and Of course We raised
our own grain, fruit and vegetables, and
were in no want of beef, mutton, pork.
fowls and game; but tea and coffee, loaf
sugar and spices, were only to be procured
by journey to the city; and as those arti-
Giles were in, constant use In the family, the
shopping expeditions were not only impor-
tant but frequent. The duty of undertak-
ing these excursions inyaribly deyolYed up
on myself; and as young people are gener-
ally fond of such little journeys, esteemed
the performance privilege, and was in high
spirits when any want was suggested which
would oblige me to saddle my old horse and
start for Cincinnati, ,zay~ase i
10 I can see myself still ]: dressed in my 6esti
suit, and mounted on old Trotter's back,
with two baskets slung before me upon the
horse, and acapacious pocket book buttoued
up in my vest pocket, making my way along
the road with as. much. Importance as any
ambassador charged with state affairs could
possibly have felt and can yet hear my
mother ANXIOUS charges not to forget the
tea on any account. s--ssss sss Is -xsliezrz |.
: Yes, but dear uncle, about All zHallow
E en-. and what You saw pa interrupted inn
patient Jessie asvfa5 - 80. s. So -,
"1'm coming to that, child.'' replied Un-
Gle Oliver s.this is a part of the story"
Zone mornings justzexactly at this time
Of the year, started ponsoneg of my usp-
al expeditions. II was a windy, Disagree
BILE day. The atmosphere had leaden look,
and the, brownlrses. nearly denuded of 4eir
bright autumn 1eaves,3 were pictures 10 be-
hold. There were signs of storm in the
cloudy sky and the signing Of. the wind
among the woods near by ! butt had no I
doubt that | should accomplish my GRAND