The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-29
KISSED BY MISTAKE.

KISSED BY MISTAKE.
.Will you be at home tonight, lIetty,
and the speaker, tall, muscular, well-look
ing young farmer, redeemed to the roots o.
his hair, as though he had committed some
very wicked act, instead of asking o sim
pie question.
He was bashful, extremely SO, was Josiah
llawley-at least in the presence Of young
ladies-most of all in the presence of the
girl he cloved. No young farmer in oil the
country possessed better kept farm, OF
talked with moro confidence among his com
peers Of stock or crops, and on kindred sub.
jects. But the glmse Of some pretty face
or foot coming in his direction, affected
him like flash Of lightning. On such oc-
casions he never knew what to do with his
hands and eyes, and always felt like screw.
ing himself into mouse hole. How he
ever contrivcd to approach Hester Thomas
on the subject Of his preference for her prob.
ably remains as much mystery to himself
Us it |, to others,
But the young lady had quite an amount
OF tact and clcyeruess slowed away some
where in her pretty little head, albeit 1t was
set on the dimplcd, inexperienced shoulders
ofseyenteen. Josiah was worth, in world
ly way, much more than any of her suitors;
good-loOking and intelligent enough to salts.
fy anyone but an over-iastidious person; un-
exceptionable, in short, barring his excessive
bashfulness. which was fruitful source OF
merriment to the young people in their lit
tie circle. And 80, when Josiah, in his
awkward, laundering way, began to exhibit
his preference for her in various little ways,
such US waiting on her to and from singing
school, constituting himself her especial es-
cort when she rode ON horseback TO aud from
the solitary church in the woods, and sim
Cling her out at quitting parties, lletty took
it all in the easiest, pleaSlntcst manner pos
siblo. The girls laughed, and tho young
men cracked sly jokes at the expense Of her
timid suitor; but Hetty stood up for him
very independently-encourage him out OF
his shyness-never noticed any unfortunate
blunder-and very likely helped him along
considerably when his feelings reached the
eliminating point, one moonlit evening, as
they were walking home together from pray.
or meeting.
That was week ago. IIctty had said
yes" and agreed to bring father and
mother round on the subject Josiah had
not Seen to the house since-likely feeling
very much like u dog yenturing upon the
premises of person whose sheepiold he had
Just plundered. As yet neither had had the
courage to speak to the 'reiguing powers
on the subject; and Hetty feeling as il she
wished to put the ordeal of as long as pos
sible, at any rate to have one more conf
Dental conversation with him ON the sub
ject.
Mother is going over to Aunt Ruth's to
spend the evening, and wants me to go. But
| guess won't. ! We been working on "a
ther's shirts all day, besides doing dairy
work, and I'm rs tired as l can be; 30 lguess
she will have 10 70 without me. Don't
come till eight o'clock. l shall DO through
putting things to right then, and will lot
you in
OF course Josiah was not too obtuse To
understand that, and so far forgot his BASH
fuluess as to petition for goodbye kiss,
which was peremptorily refused, Of course.
No, l shan't. Do take yourself of,
Think didn't see you fdgeting round Sar-
ah Jones at Deacon Dangers yesterday even.
ing 2 I've not forgotten that, sir
'Now Hetty-'
. But the appeal was broken of by tan.
talizing little laugh; and US he spnng for
ward to take pleasant revenge on his tor.
mentrcss, she slipped away and ran up the
path to the house, where he saw her wave
her hand as she disappeared within the kitch'
en- porch and then he turned from the
gate and took the road home ward.
The tea-things had been carried out, the
table set back against the wall, the crumbs
brushed from the clean homemade carpet,
and Hetty's work-stand drawn up in front
of the blazing fro. A bountifully piled
plate Of great red apples, and plate o'
cracked walnuts were on it, in close prox'
unity to Hetty's work-basket.
On one side Of the fire sat Mrs. Thomas,
Fat and fair. and at peace with oil the world
rocking and knitting, and refreshing herself
at Sundry intervals with bite from u half
eaten apple that lay on tho corner Of the
table, and touching every now and then, in
carrcssing manner with her foot, u sleek
lazy-looking cat that purrcd and winked on
the rug before her. Hetty sat ON the Other
side, sewing and busy thinking how sh,
should tell her mother she expected visitor
She would have given the world TO have beer
able to say in an oiI.hand manner, that sh,
expected Mr.. Hawley to drop in about eight
But she recollected, with u twingo Of con
science, how she had tried to get the ole
lady to accompany her husband to aun
Ruth's, spite of her warnings Of spell o
neuralgia how she had also plead headach,
as an excuse for not going herself. And sh,
knew her mother was quite sharp enough :,
draw her own inference from these facts
and from her being dressed with unusua
care 10 spend an evening ut home.
Il shall not dare tell now. She'll be sur,
to think wished to get her out of the wa,
so might have Josiah all to myself, and
should never hear the last Of it, And lik
wise little puss she was silent.
II I'll venture my word on 1t, you would no