The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-08-21
The T,adv's Shocking.

quarrel quarrel from week to week, month to month, /
and had almost said from year to year For my part
could not the use of ayoung and handsome couple
making themselves so severely unhappy
"Quarrelled your last, eh?' | said, drumming my
knuekes against the table. 'Glad to hear 1t; you'll
have chance to rest now"
Cousin VIII bit his lip He did not quite like my
indferentway of treating the matter BY his pale face
and slightly compressed mouth, knew that itwas no
common pickering thGt had SO moved him. Still could
not forbear little sly laugh at his expense, as con-
tinued:
who's to blame this time, Will-you or Kate9'
'Kate, as l am live, same man, Matthew! l could
not help it."
'sWhew" 4 had heard him declare that same thing
a hundred times beforeD
"You may believe or not, it is SOL" he said little
spiciy.
Indeed viii tell Inc about ii, if you pleased"
"WeI it was Just in this way. You see it was about
marriage the minxwants it put otagain, and wont
stand it-theren
Better put it off for few months than for life, WILL
l suggested.
''No, had not. It'snow or never this time. wont
hear single word to it,"
''What does Kate say?"
so, she doesn't say much Of anything. She only sat
tapping and tapping her foot upon the floor in the most
provoking way in the world, giving me to understand
that she would have her own way whether or no. That
vas what made me 80 very angry"
"Ah, indeed"
1t only needed an occasional word from me to keep
cousin VIII upon the story Of his grievances.
but she flashed up once, aud shat was all the best
of it. She said if could not wait her time, might go
Just which way pleased"
''What did YOU say then"'
81 said that ! would go where pleased, and while
blessed with my natural senses would never again
mention the subject of marriage to her.
And what did she say"
"She said she was glad to hear it, If | had CONC to
the conclusion long ago should both have been better
of. Then she told me where could find wholesale
supply of handkcrchies; she thought | should need
them | told her not to trouble herself that didn't
cry for anything but smoke She knew that she said
and that why she mentioned the handkerchleis-!
hadn't our engagement ended in smoke?"
Got ahead Of you, there, VIII. What followed
that?"
Il left then sans ceremonie and swear to you that
| have had my last quarrel with Kate Harvey"
"Wel let that rest, then. But what's that hanging
out of your poCkct?"
80, forgot to tell you-someting that found quite
early this morning; ladys stocking-the daintiest
prettiest little trife that ever saw in my lfe!'
He displayed the bit of stocking before me; pointed
to the weturned foot-thc nstep knit in chains and
flowers, and the small, tiny ankle.
Nonsense, Will, that's chids stockingH ex-
claimed.
''Not bit of it, he protested, stopty. "Dout you
understand anatomy better than that?'
shook my head and owned up to being novice in
the matter.
''What you going to do with it?"
Advertise it. in this mornings paper, and marry the
owner if she is a pretty as the stocking
"And Katez" ! qucried.
60 she wont be ready to be married. until have had
ample time to court and marry three wives Even if
she were interested she would suffer no Inconvenience
from the arrangement"
/ shook my head again, and concluded that cousin
Win was bound to make fool of himself The con
clusion was never spoken let me say however. kept
II risn md cruuppd dutu m the
mirror opposite, trying to conjecture what my chances
might be with the pretty, willtuI Kate In the mean
time VIII had caught up pen and was dashing off an
rapid rate. thread III this wise
"F0uNDl-On the morning of the 4th, bctweenQ--I
and C streets, adys stocking OF very exquisite
and costly made up. 1t being-ike the fnder-of but
he ngRfd R2f Th9Rt GH9 at MM MM mpe WpReyb WpRey bf f5
stairs, first door at the right"
GAN right but the No, VIII! You must fix it at some
other place beside my Office
But Matthew
'But, Will
''You see this is the best place that can find the
most central and the easiest of access III not involve
you in the matter I'll manage it all myself.
gave it up to him at last after concluding IN my own
mind that lady with half share Of common sense
would attempt to recover so trivial piece OF pro-
pcrtv But the next day my mistake was proved me,
least partially Il was not quite sure about the
brain-work Of the good womaps cranium.) As We sat
together VIII and at about ten o'clock NJ, light,
timid rap sounded at my Office door.
Prepare for fairies and sylphs, whispered, brush
ing my hair back from my forehead and showing VIII
into closet near by 'Not word" ! said as he be-
gan to demonstrate "Wel take turns-be qmct III
manage it to a charm
Will groWcd and opened the door By Jove what
a was that, my countryncn.' lheldmy breath
in sheer surprise. She tall as liberty pole.
stood tiptoc and turned up towards her. that
might catch the sound of her voice us it foated down.
Zounds if her foot in proportion to her height 1t
would have taken the whole of Wills little stocking,
from the top the toe cover it. and her heel would
have been destitute at that.
'This is 2S, It street believe she said.
''Ycs ma'am.' said stretching my neck up towards
her for all the world like choked turkey.
low murmur of smothcred laughter sounded from
the closet.
Il called to learn about advertisement which saw
in yesterday mornings paper. think am the owner
of the stocking alluded to-"
bowed and asked her in. But where was tho stock
ing? sudden thought struck me. viii had it in his
pocket l knew him we'll enough be certain that he
would not give it up tome at any rate. lclenehed.my
hands together and mGtcrcd something about its being
nsaid What could doy u believed some one two
or three numbers below had taken it short time before
thinking he knew the owner" said Heaycn snrive
the sin of that lie! What could do? Would she excuse
me while ] went for it? She bowed reply, aud
rushed down stairs hatess and breahess and made for
hoiscry shop near by purchased the incest pair of
into my pocket rushed up stairs with the other.
IIere it is, maam," said growing very red in the
face
Just then while the lady was glancng at the stock
ing saw the dainty subject of Wills advertisement
make mysterious exit from the closet. She espied it,
as well as l. and could do no better than to pick ii up
for her.
'This is the one" she said, a surprised expression
settling downupoa her face, she gave hurried glance
towards the closet
't is yours, then, maan?" said, looking very pro
found Ut was weighty matter, remember)
'No, not mine, but one Of pair am knitting for
young lady"
In addition to this I thought she said something in
undertone about wedding stockings"
I'm very sorry, ma'am," said, 'but have orders
not to deliver this little bou Of a stocking, to any
but the rightful owner,-to the wearer in fact"
'Indeed! she exclaimed. II will not tax your cour
tesy longer then; perhaps your orders be easily
explained as the sudden appearance of the stocking
few moments ago"
Wththis she and swept out of the ROOM with an
air of naughty disdain that would have set well upon
tragedy queen.
''There you've done it, now Mattl" viii said, burst
ing opt fromthe closet. Ayhy didn't you give 1t to
herr"
81 wanted to see the other one" answered, little
doggedly.
',The next one is mine, remember and 1t viii be your
turn to 90 in the closet You have the queen, If
I treiSn ffjp ErstD