The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-07-18

Now, which," said he, stretching out hi,
boots toward them, with his hands in hi.
/ pockets, (which of you two girls can honestl,
say that she loves me the best?'
Here was proposition for a lover; but
they felt that Joshua was honest and answer
ed with equal bluntness:
II don't care that for you!" declared Lena
independently, fiinging an apple-paring al
him.
"And l think about as much of you as
that!' exclaimed Fatima, swapping bean al
his face.
Joshua was so amazed at this double breast
ed surprise, that he drew in his legs with q
sudden jerk that upset his chair; and, rising
from the floor with thoughts unutterable, he
went off to bed, to escape their laughter
and train his thoughts to some reasonable
"Wonders of Jerusalem and a sick boss to
LETT Did they mean that? don't believe it.
Can't be. They were afraid to tell the truth.
ought to have gone at 'em single. Lucky !
didn't say loved them, or they'd been pull
ing hair afore this I'll bet bushel of beans
to barrel of apples, that neither of them
girls will sleep wink tonight, for thinking
of me, and how nigh l came to the point. 1t
must be very aggravating to their feelings
but so much the better. They'll be getting
more jealous, and all they want ia to catch me
alonen
What Joshua was not able to do for himself.
the two sisters now did for him, as they went
on with their beans and apples. Sef-esteem
was wounded, and each wished to escape ridi-
cule from the other.
"The awkward foolw said Lena, "to think
that / cared for him!"
"You love him quite as well as do.'
81 don't"
"You do, and better. Pohw
"You needn't poh at me-or at him either.
For he's good enough for you, If he is awk-
ward"
"Hes too good for you. And you needn't
sneer at him, for he isn't half so awkward as
you are"
THAT shows you love him. But he wouldn't
have you, at any rate"
"He wouldn't take up with you, and
could have him il l said the word.'
"You couldn't.
81 could. I'm four years younger than you.
and yeu are too old"
"Don't you call me old, you jade I'll pull
yonr hair! You're dying to get marriedw
The arrival Of their parents, just then, put
an end to the threatening aspect of things;
but the sisters slept apart that night, and each
resolved that next day she would do all she
could to get Joshua to pop the question, just
to spite her sister. And, accordingly, they
detected each other in such affectionate con,
versation with Joshua in the course OF the day
that fierce qnarrel ensued, and Joshua final
ly stood up straight and declared If they
didn't let him alone he could not weed his on
ions.
"All wanted to say is, that you'll never be
happy with her."
"As happy as he would be with you, I'll be
bound.n
Joshua now had a happy thought
"Pll tell you what I'll do with you two girls.
To stop the quarrel, I'll turn up cent-heads
for Lena, tails for Fatty. Best two 10 three.
Will that satisfy"
"Well-yes."
he tossed, and Lena won the prize.
II don't believe ma would agree to il" said
the disappointed Fatima.
"Yes she would, too."
"You know she wouldn't. He is too young"
II do know she would said the confident
Lena. "that I'll agree to what she says, and go
this minute"
And both ran to the house TO ask ma, leav-
ing Joshua In state of great excitement.
I'm In doubt If this Is right" he mused
aloud. Suppose ma makes choice. might
be dissatisfied. don't want to be compelled.
The cent says Lena. Suppose ma says Fatty.
That's pulling both ways. The cent might be
iu the right: but the cent would have no voice
DuppOSC md hSrtee Win Tic Ctut, even luEn
l might be on the wrong scent, for Lena
might not be the right one for me to have,
though it would look as il 1t was so ordered.
am in very great Doubt Now suppose
that cent"
You needn't suppose any more, Josh J"
here said Farmer Daisy, who had Just stepped
from behind barn and overheard his ag-
itated solioquy. "Ysu can't have either OF
my darters, for, at present, you're SO young
you're as shifty as weAthercock. You'll
have TO wait spell Of years fust, that's sar-
TIM
This was view OF the case which the
mortified Joshua had never included in his
list of doubts; and it gave him no relief
when the two girls came running to him
to say that though ma wouldn't have her
daughters tossed up for, she didn't care which
he married.
Makes no odds now" said Joshua gloomi-
ly, "since the old man says l can't have Ell
ther. But one thing I'm in no doubt about.
| leave of work here this day, and mean
to go TO sea. l may take it into my
head to be gone two years. But keep up a
good heart, girls, till come back to take my
pick"
The girls expressed much groaning grief
at parting with Joshua, and this cheered
his heart during his whaling voyage with
Captain Surge, who took him TO his house
on his return, and offered him q cottage and
his blooming daughter Petrelina-cottage and
daughter to 60 together, But Joshua was in
doubt till he should see Lena and Fatima,
and II they had worn well. So he paid them
q visit.
you can't have Fatty, Josh" said Lena
she's engaged"
"Then, as you are true-blue, I'll take
you."
"Can't that, neither, for I'm married"
"Then you may both go to thunder, and I'll
60 to the Captains daughter. She's clean
gift. with q cottage too."
Joshua now hastened back TO Captain
Surge and said he guessed he would accept
Petrelina. But Petrelina had been married
three days before, and the angry old tar now
kicked him out for a doubtful son OF sea-
cook.
This effeetually removed Joshua and all
his doubts, and planted in their stead
permanent conviction that the doubts of
bachelor will save him from many worse
ones.