The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-08-10


AT that moment there was ring at the
door-bell; and Mrs. Dnwiddie came in
from high conference with select conclave
Of fashionable ladies, who yet clung with
pathetic tenacity to the declining fortunes
Of Slavery and Secession. -grajyrH
For a fortnight matters seemed to go on
swimmingly. Dinwddie had, gas he
thought, so managed as to bring the young
people repeatedly together without his
wife's havinga a suspicion of what was in
the wind; and when Captain Penrose call
ed on him at his counting-room and asked
whether he might pay his addresses to Bar
bara, Dinwiddie whirled round on his Off
ce-stool, jumped down, and gave the
young soldier cordial hug. sg9
Certainly, my dear boy! Win her.
She likes you. / like you. Everybody
likes you. Go ahead -,..t-.,fy H.''' w.
1T is proper to inform you, Sir" said
the Captain, .'that my income is only
twelve hundred a year: butt, "'.'4''i''
"Pshaw! What do I care for your in
come? There! Go and settle it with Bar
bara. You'll find her alone, / think. Mrs.
Dinwiddie, for the last week. has beer as
busy as-as-we'll not say whom gale
of wind. Remember, Fortune favors the
brave I'm obliged to go TO Philadelphia
this afternoon. Good bye" ... '
In a transport of delight, the Captain
darted from the office, took a carriage. and
drove to Dinwiddie's. . .. ~"' ''""
eyes, Miss Barbara is in. Walk up,
Captain ....... ....,......... .i. ..a s1
''What could be more propitious Poets
are not always in the right. Isn't my love
true love, and does mt it run smooth ~ +
Wait awhile, my Captain! Perhaps
Shakespeare was not SO much in error, af-
ter all.
Barbara's eyes plainly spoke her pleas
ure at seeing him. Adjoining the draw
ing-room was little boudoir filled with
sunshine and flowers. Into that she led
They sat down on one of those snug con-
! trivances for n tete-d-tefe, formed like the
capital letter s. \ fragrance as Of spring
| was shed through the room from the opnn
coor of n conservatory. and II canarv-bird
near by was tuning his voice for a song ~
Barbara, do know il is a whole fort
| She looked mp at him inquiringlv. for
this was the third time he had called her
by her first name. lie cOntinued,- 20 %
Barbara, I had a pleasant interview
with your father this morning, and what
do you suppose said to him?'' n."" e.
''Said it was a fine day. most like.'' re-
turned Barbara, intent on spreading out
the leaves of IA half-blown rose. u@. r
"No, ] said not a word about the wealth
| cr. I asked him if he would have any OBJ
jection to inc for a son-in-law." -.t' 7"
"And what did he reply" asked Bar
bara, after pause. during which her lit
| tie heart beat wildly.
I ale told me could settle, it all with
you.'' @.sa- SEQ ..sa"
! "Indeedr' said Barbara. '.But 1 never
had any genius settlements. l always
hated business" -t.lgs..
""But this is Il matter or pleasure. not OF
I business urged the Captain; and then
coming round to her side, and falling on
one knee, took her linrrucinnt little
hand, put il to his lips, and said, 'May
! not haveit for my own?'' '.' ....# 's
! Before she could reply. approaching
steps were heard. and q youth of some
nineteen years, wearing the coarse pea
jacket. red baize shirt. and glazed hat of u
: sailor, made his appearance. '' -. d"
"Culpepper ~ exclailn ,d I3rrbara, willie
the Captain resumed his seat t-.'is il vou?'
''Yes," replied the youth. ''Sister,
have few words to say to this man pri-
vately. Please leave tho room.' .-a%.
Master Culpepper was one ofthose non
descripts in social zoology, classed by
some philosophers rs ''rubs, land by others
as "hobblpdehoys,' - -"nOt II man. nor a
boy, but hobbledehoy." At school he
| had been set down as a hopeless block
head. and Barbara had severely tasked her
patience, trying 10 inSinuate into his
brains the little knowledge of the ordinary
branches of education which he possessed.
| Consequently, though she was two years
his Junior, she had been accustomed to re-
} card herself as several wears his senior
! and to talk to him rs to the interior he
really was i'm everything but brute
! strength. The cubs strong points, moral
I lv considered. Were his family pride and
! his hatred of "Abolitionism": in these he
hade fair TO surpass even the maternal pro-
/ fciency. #t#u rN".''. '.. t'f o..
Captain PenroSe." said Barbara, 'this
! is my brother Culpcprar. Now, Gully. 60
and play in the stable, that's good bow
"Do you know, Miss Barbara, that YOU
are addressinga a Major in the Confederate
army replied Gully, folding his arms
with great effort at dignity. "You will
accost me hereafter as Major Dinwiddie, II
You please 'H.f.- tfsl --'''...".
"Weli, Major, this gentleman and my
self are engaged, so'' ..." .-.1.s
Engaged ~ howled Gully, with flash
ing eyes and vociferous speech. "Engag-
ed! And you dare to confess it to me, your
brother! Engaged! And to an Aboli-
ZIONIST, Ia low-born Yankee! cancel the
engagement. ans
| Barbara was too much aroused by the
cubs insolence to care to correct the mis-
apprehension which he had blundered into
so precipitately, and which she was now
disposed to make verify Ha.. .
4 'u"Do you mean to tell me- demanded
the cub, ''that you are engaged to be mar
ried to this man - 15'~" @.,."' F,aa.
eyes, if he'll have me-" said Barbara,
putting forth her hand, which Penrose
eagerly seized, exclaiming,-
"Will have you, Barbara? Yes, as the
best treasure life can Offer
And the first kiss was exchanged.
"Look here" said Gully, "this business
must stop where it is. demand, Sir, that
\ you leave the house with me this instant. :"
/ And then. as an amused expression fit