The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-12-07

He was not bad looking, appeared well in
company, and could say what he thought
rather better than the average of people.
But he was farther in his years than the
school teacher. as II hadn't any of that
boyish freshness and raciness, that is SO
apt to attract thc-eye Of young girl; /;
nor much of that native difhderce, not
yet, worn off by rough contact with the
world, that SO characterized ohm bangle.
Still, Kitty's heart was divided heart.
She didn't exactly know herself, so as to
tell which one Of these two men she was
partial. to. She thought at frs: she
ought to like both. Then she knew she
couldn't very well do that, and felt worse
than ever,
For though John bangle was a hand
some, and a young, and promising man,
vet Mr.. Birch was man of substance.-
That, she knew would be likely to suit
her father, ard to have him on her side,
was to go we'll equipped to any sort of a
conflict or conquest.
1t so happened that about this critical
time Kitty was fain to consult her father
on the subject, in confidential kind of
way; but modesty forbade her speaking
OF IL duQ cbO AbCW luOtALbS AOW W
set him to speaking about it. In such q
squandary as this, she might have been
un fortunate enough to lose both her ad.
mifers, had another even. transpired just
then, that threw affairs into quite differ
ent shape.
It was of this nature -
"Ahaw said John bangle to himself,
in his room one evening, Il mean to go
and ask her father! lis good thing to
be on the side of the old gentleman!"9
"I've been dilly-dallying long enough =
said Mr. Birch, after closing mis- store on
the very same evening snow / mean to
go and settle the matter for good! I'll
soc her father"
Each of the swains, on revolving the
subject in his tbonghts more seriously,
fixed upon the next day for comm sncing
operations at about five O'clock in the
afternoon, or Immediately after tea. A
rnther singular coincidence, yet not alarm
ing SO, either.
1t was warm summer weather, and the
grass aud trees looked inviting enough,
especially to d lover, or pair of them
Each party took deal of pains with his
toilet, and na nifestly meant to do his hest
that evening, in the way of an impression
on the old gentleman.
As lack would have it once nors, they
both issued forth together and the mo-
ment Mr.. bangle reachd particular cor
ner of the road leading Quito Kitty's
house, Mr. Birch drew in sight cf him
Another turn brought them almost
flee to face, yet stiu too far apart to ex-
change compliments with one another.
Mr.. bangle picked up his ears. al
know what he's after" said he to himself
"Aha J" exclaimed Mr.. Birch, giving
hisseye curious sqaint in the direction
of his rival. "On the same errand l ana,
I'll warrant ! But the fellow never shall
say he saw me going over there I'll be
careful to keep my own counsel. When
L choose to call at Kitty's isn't exactly
his business ~
Aud accordingly he strolled off mon
strous way out of his course, and left ma
tiers to take some little care of themselves.
''If he's going over there" said John
bangle again, "I'll head him off! I'll be
sure to get there first y
Aud to make good his word, he cut
"across lots" and walked just as fast as
he could towards Squire Jordan's house,
TIE last thing he seemed to think of was
his clothes. He was bent on the most
important errand he had ever become in
terested in. @-e,
The old gentleman was at home, sitting
on the piazza. Good enough Mr.. Dan
gle immediately sat down beside him, and
told his story. Haste helped his accents
some, for he felt afraid his rival might
come up before he should get through.
Mr.. Jordan expressed himself much
pleased with the young suitor's frankness,
and promised that he would think about
the matter. -. - 49,,
On his way back, in strolliug off by q
round about way, whom should he fall up
on bat Mr.. Birch!
Mr. Birch went on, however, and stated
his case to Squire Jordan in his own way.
It was pretty much the same story his
younger rival had told before him. And
the old gentleman answered that he would
take his case into consideration, too.
.i9Now. with very many men, the first i'm
preston is the lasting one. 1t was SO
with Kitty's father emphatically. John
DsneIe was lucky enough to come first,
ana tell MS story nrst; and even IT he
had told it no better than Mr.. Birch did, /,
yet it was the first one told, and that
made all the difference there was in it.
Kitty. said he to her, only day or
two afterwards, "I want to put you plain
question; and you mast answer me in the
same plain way Which of these two
men, who call on you, do you like best !? >
OH! but it Was the hardest matter in
the world for Kitty to answer such ques,
tion to her father; and she hesitated, and
and blushed, aad broke down,
and finally got off nothing at all. p
5"Well, do you object very much to THE
schoolmaster, then?'' said he. ST don't
know as l can get it out of you any other
way.%.,
shs turned reader yet, and told him
"Because I was going to say. Kitty"
he went on, "that he's o pretty likely sort