The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-03-19

tuitively, that Philip Dean would come
You know Philip. There had been a
little kindness growing up between US
two from mere babyhood He had car
ried my dinner basket night and morn.
ing, during all our school days; and al
ways insisted that l was much handsom-
er and better than rival belle, Jenny
Wheeler. Besides, he won my girlish
gratitude, by slyly working out for me
the long, hard sums in the old arithme-
tic-no wonder he was undisputed own
er Of a large share of my affections.
Since l had donned large frocks, l had
been almost invariably his companion to
all the singing schools, pic-nics, sleigh
rides, and boating excursions. 1t was
his general rule to spend two evenings
of the week at our house yet, with all
this attention, he had never spoken a
word of love. Somehow, l had presen-
timent, (you understand this, that
declaration would soon be made. was
not mistaken. 1t was not long ere l
heard a step on the gravelled walk that
could belong to none other than himself.
Looking backward over the train of
years, it seemed strange what futter,
futter, there was about my heart. Phil
ip's CHEEKY good morning." in no wise
tended to allay my perturbation. His
hazel eyes had never appeared so hand
some and impassionate before nor had
he been half so entertaining-oh I was
proud of him. We sat near each other !;
so that he toyed with my hand. 1t was
a way Philip had, and | thought moth
ing of it.
"How charmipgly you are looking,
Nelly" said he, moving his chair de-
gree nearer.
Now, l don't believe that person lives
who does not like little fattery given
in the right manner, time and place, in
spite of what wiselings say OF may have
said TO the contrary. Our sex is said to
be most pleased with il; and IN its name
we plead guilty to the weakness. Freely
do l own that | have liked it from my
pinafores and surely, under such cir
cumstances, it must have been agreeable
The complimentary speech recorded
above was followed by an awkward pause,
during which time we blushed to the
rims Of our ears.
nelly, he continued, "you know l
have no sister. Sometimes | am very
lonely. Ny dear and valued mother is
becoming aged and my nature Graves a
younger and dearer companion-"
Horrid AT that moment an odor of
burning meat came most unpleasantly to
my olfactories. l begged to be excused,
and fastened into culinary quarters. to
find the piece of beef had SO carefully
prepared almost spoilt. Nervously /
caught holder from the shelf, and in so
doing, succeeded in knocking mas fav-
orite cut-glass pitcher, which fell with a
loud crash, breaking into thousand
fragments. Philip must have heard it.
Oh, this meal getting, with lover in
the parlor With flushed brow went
back to the old seat. Philip smiled pro-
vokingly.
Nelly" added he, "I want wife.
Home will lack nothing. then. to render
it the dearest resting place this side of
heaven. know little girl who is as
precious 10 me as lie.
Oh |! Just then disturbance in Bird
gets apartment obliged me again to
leave. | had carelessly left open the
door and dame grunter had taken the
liberty to enter and taste of the pudding
had set to cool.
1t was no enviable frame Of mind that
| hauled out the dining table, and laid
the dishes. AS l looked at the warm
heavy biscuits, unpalatabls meat, and
burnt potatoes, my pride and selfconf-
dcnce vanished. l should not have
cared so much had not known what a
notable housekeeper Mrs. Dean was.
Besides, in the matter of the palate,
Philip had been an epicure from his era
die, and everybody knows that men
think more of their stomachs than Of
their sweethearts. To add still more to
my trepidation. Philip regarded me cur
iously when / invited him to dine. AS
he eyed the viands before him l thought
he was going to say grace, by the sud.
den elongation of his visage. | poured
some muddy coffee. and Notwithstanding
my secret discontinue. took malicious |
pleasure in seeing him sip the beverage. |
He was an inveterate coffee drinker. but
his cup did not lower much.
What rare fun l should have had, ii / |
had not been Dinah We came to des-
sert at last and when handed him the |
faky -crusted pie, relieved expression
stole over his countenance, which. on
tasting. changed to psrceptible grimacs.
What could all my highest efforts
Alas +! had forgotten to sweeten the
apple
Were vexations never to cease By |
chance, caught glimpse of reileo-
ton in the glass. Was 1t mine I? l glau.
ced downward, Shade of Ham Ny !
faith in spotless-robed herones was gone
ut once. l was a tri-colored exhibition I
Of red, white, and black. Troubles heap.
ed themselves up strangely. wanted
TO throw myself on The carpet, and cry
il-a vae,t oIttl IA ,o,L... r ~.