Smyrna times., 1861-12-19
November evening.

had, just before tea, induged in an indiscrimi
nate fix up. A neatly fitting dark calico,
with the store look still on it, fresh lined col
lar aud tasteful black silk apron-these were
the chief items OF Hetty's toilet but she looked
as sweet and dainty in her plain dress as If
hours had been spent in donniDg lace and jew
els. Her rich hair Of the darkest auburn tinge,
fell in shining folds close to her warm red
cheek, and was caught up in a running net be-
hind.
Eight o'clock and past! Mrs. Thomas was
doing 10 her chair-her shadow on the oppo-.
site wall bosbing about in grotesque mimicry
az she nodded to and fro-now almost falling
forward and her fat hands lay listlessly in her
lap, and her ball of yarn had rolled out upon
the hearth and puss was busy converting it into
gordan knots.
And just then came double rap at the door
so loud, sudden, and sef:assured that Hetty
started up with little Shrek, and set her foot
on puss's tail, who in turn gave voice to her
mazemnnt and dspleasure. The combined
noise aroused Mrs. Thomas. and starting into
az erect position, she rubbed her eyes, settled
her capbordsr, aud exclaimed.
"Bless nay soul, Hetty. what was that?
Somebody at the door! Whs can be coming
her at this time of the night?
"Pts not late, mother-only q little past
.
demurely taking the candle from the table.
mo. Here, you wind up my ball and sweep
up the hearth, while 60 to the door, says the
old lady, whose feet were struggling in the
perp!exing meshes OF the yarn. 'Drat that
cat!
All this time Josiah was standing on enc
foot on the cold porch, with his hands in his
overcsat pockets, wondering if Hetty had fallen
asleep, and every now and then giving the door
rap by way of variety.
In her hurry, Mrs. Thomas forgot to take the
candle, and as she stepped out into the little
entry, the sitting room door slammed after her.
She had her hand on the handle of the hall door
at the moment, and opening it, she suddenly
, found herself in the embrace of a stout pair oi
, arms; whiskered face in close proximity to
, her own and before she could think about the
strangenpss of her situation, she received q
}, prolonged kiss-a hearty smack-full upon hel
. viriuous matronly lips.
"Oh, murder! 'Taint Obadiah neither"
She had by this time divested herself Of the
n impression that it was her unusually sobel
!. spouse. who must have come home in an un
Il usually exalted condition thus to indulge il
o such unwonted expressions of affection.
e "Get out! Get out, say! Who are you
' anyhow! Murder! Thieves! Helty come
!, here! Here's man kissing me like mad!"
But the intruder had by this time discovered
a his misIs ke-it did not need the indignant pun
d melting and scratching of the old lady vigor
"a ous fists to cause him to reinquish his hold nt
!. fly as ii pursued by some indignant ghost.
o Hetty, nearly choking with her smothere
laughter, in spite of her trepidation, now cam
to the rescue.
ID al never was so frightened in all my life =
!. The mean scamp: WAC could it be Hetly
70 have you any idea!
=. But the dutyful daughter was TO oil appear
d. ances innocent as a sucking dove. She sOothe
ne the old lady by representing that it might hav
y been one of the neighbors, whO having draE r
.s too much, had mistaken the house and IN
re housewife. She searched the entry for tn
Il missing speclacles. dropped in the scuffle, rea
ranged the rumpled cal border; wound up III
tangled yarn; stirred the ire-all in the moi
:" nmiable manner possible-and at length ha
the satisfaction Of seeing her mother subsd
- into her chair and her accustomed tranquility
:, Mrs. Thomas was fully awake now. Sh
~ - had new idea in her head. and instead Of sc
30 :" tling herself for another nap, she pursued III
"' train of Thought and her knitting, both at III
same time with wonderful rapidity. At lengl
=. stopping and looked keenly at Hetty-
al suppose it's queer idea of mine. Hett
but I've a notion that man was Josiah Hay
- ley.
e. My! but if Hetty's face did not FIRE up theI
We You might have lit a candle by it. These i
clpent symptoms did not escaped the the wa
inquIsitor.
Ii. "'Pears so to me. Cause those big whisks
ke were so much like his'n and the awkward WI
he ne griPped ms with his great paws"
Sc, Hetty was wonderful busy. She bent oV
is. her work aud drew the needle through so quic
en- y that the thread snapped. and then she W
,ad so much engaged in threading her needle aga
she did not have even time 10 answer.
n. al don't believe that kiss was ment for
hs after all. Wonder who il was intended fc
nd and wORder if you don't know something abO
,he it, Hetty!
Of Me mother!'
uts Yes. you Hetty. You was mighty anxiO
ork to get me and pap off to aunt Ruth's this ev
ming; but noticed you were slicked up exit
f., ordinary for all youjweren't going. Now, HI
=. ty, I'm getting old /; know it; but have
aug quite lost my eyesight yet. I've heard sou
ais thing about this between you and 'Siah Ha
rh. r ley. What are you playing POssum Tor c
~" with it, | say!'
Ls, Our little schemer, thus sdjured, made
- clean breast of the matter much relieved
'e' % find that mother " hadn't nulhing' again BIZ
~ and would "give father a talk about il, q
. bring him sround''
og, But, Hetty, want you to tell 'Siah
.T" rather he'd not make such mistake agin.
ctsd ,S,.h go. hI.sd IT, -, 80 Is, a.,
had nj So Pa. 49,, :; "t'.
nus - IL -. III rs -,
ings a.ssJ :. nooood !" hs ara.an, ~ up .o~iA .h
lesS ,S his fat sides at Josiab's discontinue and
~ 'sn' wife's tart replies, and both would laugh U
- the tears ran down their cheeks.
"es1 .'aNessr mind, 'Siah.' Mrs. Thomas va
'uai say consoliagIy. Let him laugh He'd b
:, been glad 20 have been 10 your place 1--WE
= os years ego. lie had hard work to get
nd - voa ID Hs,,v gir he i,,nol;cy ofsanc
I'VE aIeat nd undcrhand doin's Of all sorls.''
not -~~a'------7---
crate THK secessiosists have taken possession {