The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-07-13
C0URTING UNDER DIFFICULTIES
BY CLARA AUGUSTA.

She was more than commonly pret
e and her frank, engaging manners enha
ced the charms of golden hair, pear
skin, and eyes like the blue skies of sur
mer AT her fathers death she wou
be helress to the nice little sum of seve1
ty thousand dollars, and though men gel
orally profess not to be Influenced by p
eunlary matters in affairs of love, it is
De reasonably supposed that this prospe
tive wealth by no means lessened th
number of her adorers.
Among those most ardent and perhat
most sincere, was Will Dartmouth. raj
tle-erained young carpenter, with a hear
larger than his purse, and very littl
thought, or care, for consequences.
| Fortunately, old Jacob never suspecte
the partiality of his daughter for Will
he would have put her on bread and wa
ter before he would have consented t
the slightest degree of intimacy with VIII
Dartmouth
Jacob Blake was not in favor of mar
rage. Those who knew his circumstan
ces were not surprised at this, for, to use
phrase more expressive than elegant
Mrs. Blake was Tartar, with temper
enough for two Tartars
Old Jacob had to "walk Spanish" for
the most part, or suffer the consequen.
ces, which usually descended on his head
in the shape of any domestic utensil which
happened to be lying around handy.
4 maiden sister of Mr. Blake resided
in the family, whose principal business
seemed to be to act as sort of echo to
her brother and his wife. Whatever
they thought, she thought, too.
She regarded it as primary sin for
Katie to associate with the young men,
and this doctrine was perseveringly drill
ed into her niece, who, though she never
dissented, had her own ideas on the sub
ject.
One day Mr.. Blake and his wife went
to Dedham, to attend fair, and Miss
Peggy being absent at friends, Katie
was left alone. Will Dartmouth in some
way learned the condition of affairs, and
early in the afternoon he came over to
As her parents were not expected home
until the next day, and Peggy not until late
in the evening, Will felt perfectly secure in
stopping awhile after supper and he and
Katie were having jolly time popping
corn in the old-fashioned frying-pan, over
the huge wood Gre, when there was the
sound of voices at the door.
"Good gracious ~ cried Katie, turning
white with alarm, "that's Aunt Peggy
Oh, VIII, what shall we do! She will
scold me to death and father will be fu-
rious. Get under the lounge, quick =
Oh, Will, do. for my sake ~
VIII could not withstand the pleading
in Katies eyes, and deposited himself in
the desi guated place.
Katie put out the light, and darting
into an adjacent bedroom, in moment
was apparently sound asleep.
Peggy's voice was heard speaking soft
ly in the entry.
'Be careful, Mr Pike. There's loose
board there. I don't want to disturb my
niece. Softly; it may creak."
Peggy, dear, where are your" respon-
dcd the squealing voice of Esquire Pike,
the widower of year. Il can't tell
which way you've gone"
There, Daniel ! be easy. Good heav-
ings Daniel Pike Well, [ never w
and report burst on the air like uncork-
ing champagne bottle.
"Oh, my!' cried Aunt Peggy, "what
would brother Jacob say? [ declare, l
hain't been kissed by man sense"
"Let Jake mind his own business J"
retorted the Squire. "You and l can
take care of ours without his help;" and
there followed report similar to the first,
only more of it.
"Do be quiet, Daniel, and let me get a
light. Set right down there, afore the
fire, and make yourself at home"
4 light was soon procured, Peggy di-
vested herself of her wrappings, and
bIushing like girl in her teens, sat down
opposite the Squire.
f1t's fine evening"" said Peggy, by
way of opening the conversation.
avery" replied the Squire, drawing
his chair close to hers, and laying his arm
over the back.
ooh, good gracious Daniel, don't set
quite so nigh to me. that is, | don't
consider it strictly properous. Mercy
what was that"
Both listened attentively.
1T was the wind rattling the window,
l guess" said the Squire. Don't you
go to getting so narvous, Peggy"
II thought it was Katie waking up
And if she should, never should hear
the last of it."
clark There is noise-I--''
"Gracious airth it's bells. It's Jake
and marin coming back What shall
do? We're done for Oh, Squire, faint
right for us to be nothing to one tother
Do help me! What shall | do"
"Tell me where to go, Peggy! Say
the word I'll 60 any where's, for your
sake, if it's up the chimney r
"Under the lounge, quick! It's wide
and will hold you well enough. Quick