Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-09-04
THE SISTERS sTRATAGEM.
BY MARTIN A. AVERY.

Harry Grove was a good looking, taen-
ted, and respectable young farmer with
a handsome house, nice farm. with beauti-
ful orchard and gardens, and plenty of
fine cattle and horses but with all these
advantages he was one of the bashfulest
fellows in town. He knew his own inter>
est In bargain; the value of his cattle
and his crops; and the respective merits
OF all the more celebrated preachers. and
politicians in the land, much better than
he did his own. For he was continually
undertaking himself; and his awkardness,
and dlttldence in society, were often lea
ding him into some laughable blunder,
that would crimson his face with shame.
until 1t resembled a peony, or picked
beet.
Now Hattie his young and pretty sister,
was not at all afflicted in this way, and
numberless were the times when she had
strlven by encouragement, and reproofs.
entreaty and ridicule to overcome this dis
agreeable habit in her brother, but all to
no purpose; for Harry would be awkward
Harry still. And she was in continual
dread whenever they went into society to-
gether that he would get tripped up with
the carpet, upset lamp, spill lemonade
upon some lady's dress,-carve the goose
into her lap, or something else as ridicu-
lous.
Tired at last ofreasoning and ridiculing,
Hattie began to philosophize in silence
She watched him narrowly for some time.
IN this way, and at last became convinced,
that he got along very well except in the
presence of Sarah Harper, one of the pref
tlest and most popular bellies in the vii
lage, for whom be had strong preference:
and although Sarah was called coquettish,
Hattie thought she discovered symptoms
of regard on her part, of quite as decided
character; although it had sometimes
seemed to be her delight to ridicule and
torment him.
Now, if | could only convince him ot
this, that with all his awkardness he has
won the love of the only woman he ever
cared for, believe it would do him more
good than anything else | can imagine,
thought Hattie. He would certainly be
gin to appreciate himself more highly, and
in the end get rid Of this nightmare ot
bashfuness.'
Now after Hattie came to this conclu-
sion, Sarah Harper received letter that
surprised her not little, and sent the hot
blood to her cheeks. 1t was this:
Dear Miss Harper knowing as you
must the disadvantages under which [ la.
Dor IN addressing you,- | hope you will par.
don my writing, in preference to doing SO
personally. | have longed loved you bet
ter than the whole world besides and the
fear of your scorn, and ridicule, has done
more towards making me appear the awk-
ward fool I am not, than any thing else
in the universe. You may not believe
this, but it is true; and it is also true, thai
with your smiles, and encouraging words
should be a very different man. Oh, will
you not say these words, dear Saraha Will
you not write, and tell me l do not love in
vain; and that the hitherto unconquerable
dltidence ever displayed in your pies
ence, has not disgusted you, pas redemp-
ton, with my name and character.
Yours, &c,
HARRY GRAVE.
A few mornings after this note had
boen received by Miss Harper, Harry and
his sister were sitting at the breakfast ta-
bic when one of the servants brought q
package of letters and papers from the of
flee: one of which-a very genteel, gided
and perfumed note, he opened hastily, and
began to read. As he did so, his face Grim
soned, and getting up in the greatest agi-
tation he began to pace the floor.
Why Harry what on earth is the mat
ter you look as if you were going into
ft," said the mischievous girl with mocl
solemnity. "Come now, tell me, is it .