The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-10-09
THE SISTERS sTRATAGEM.
By MARTIN A. AVERY

Harry Grave was a good looking. talented,
and respectable Young farmer with hand
some house, nire farm, and beautiful orchard
aud gardens, and plenty Of fine cattle and
horses bat with all these advantages he was
one ofthe bashlulest fellows in town. Hcknew
his own interest in a bargain the value OF
his cattle and his crops; aud the respective
merits of all the more celebrated preachers,
aud poIiiicians in the land, much better than
lie did his own. For he was continually IN
deiraling himself; aud his awkwardness, and
diiiidence 10 society, were often leading him
into some lsughable blunder. that would Grim
son his face with shane, until it resembled
psony, Or a picked beet.
Now Hattie, his young and pretty sister.
was not at all afflicted in this way, and NUN
berless were the times when she had striyen
by encouragement, aud reproofs, enireaty
aud ridieule, 10 overcome this disagreeable
habit 10 her brother, but all to no purpose I;
for Harry would be awkward Harry still.
And she was 10 continual dread whenever
they went into society together, TIA, he
would get tripped up with the carpet. upset
lamp, spill lemonade upon some Iady's
dress. the goose INTO her lap. Or
something else as ridiculous.
4 Tired at last Of reasoning and ridiculing,
Hattie began 70 philosophize in silence.
/ She watched him narrowly lor some time ia
this way, aud al iastbeeame convinced that he
got along very well except in the presence ol
Sarah Harper. one uf the prettiest aud most
popular bellies in the village, for whom he
had strong preference; aud although Sarah
was called coquettish, Hattie thought she
discovered symptoms Of regard on her part,
+ Of quite as decided character; although il
had sometimes seemed to be her deligh, t.
ridieule aud torment him.
i Now after Hattie came 10 this conclusion
Sarah Harper received letter that surpriset
her not little. and seat the hot blood to hel
cheeks. II was this;
"Dear Miss Harper :-Knowing as yol
must the disadvantages under which labor
in addressing you, ! hope you will pardon
my writing IN preference % dong - person.
ally. have long loved yuu better than the
whole world besides; and the fear Of your
scorn. and ridieule, has done more toward,
making me appear the awkward fool ! an
moi. than any thing else 10 the universe
i You may not believe this, but il is true, thai
with your smiles, aud encouraging words,
should be very different man. y, will yot
not wIile. and tell me 10 not love IN vain
aud that the hitherto uaeonquerabIe diff
dence ever displayed in your presence hal
not disgusted yoa. past redemption, with ms
name and character.
Your, &C., HARKY GRAVE.
A few mornings after this note had beer
received By Miss Harper. Harry and his sis
ter were sitting a, the breakfast table whei
one Of the servants brought package Of let
ters and papers from The Office one Of whiel
IA very gcnteel, gilded and pcrfumed note
he opened hastily. and began TO read. Al
he did so, his face crimsoned. and getting ul
in the greatest agitation he began 70 pace hi
iloor.
4 "why Harry what on earth is the mat
ter you look a. Il you were going into a fit.
said the mischieyous girl with mock y
lcmnity. "Cume nov, tell me, is II a lost
letter, a dun. Of something even more mys
. terious and terrible 2" And seizinr her on