The Shasta courier., 1865-12-09
Courting under Difficulties,

Katie Blake was the only daughter o
Jacob Blake, the old miser Of West Brook.
She was more than commonly pretty, anc
her frank, engaging manners enhanced tht
charms of GOLDEN hair, pearly skin, and
eyes like the blue skies of summer. AT heI
fathers death she would be heiress to the
nice little sum Of seventy thousand dollars
and, though men proposed not to be interest
ed by pecuniary matters in affairs OF love, 1t
is to be reasonably supposed that this pros
pective wealth by no means lessened the
number of her adorers.
Among those most ardent, and perhaps
most sincere. was Will yarmouth, rattle
Drained Young carpenter with heart larger
than his purse, and very little thought or
care for consequences.
Fortunately, old Jacob never suspected
the partiality of his daughter for Will; he
would have put her on bread and water be
fore be would have consented to the slightest
degree of intimacy with Will yarmouth.
Jacob Blake was not in favor of marriage.
Those who knew his circumstances 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 consequences which
usually descended on his head in the shape
of any domestic utensil which happened TO be
lying around handy.
A maiden sister of Mr.. Blake resided in
the family, whose principal business seemed
to be to act as a sJrt of echo to her brother
and his wife. Whatever they thought, she
Thought too.
She regarded it as a primary sin for
Katie to associate with young men and this
doctrine was perseveringly drilled into her
niece, who, though she never dissented, had
her own ideas on the subject.
One day Mr.. Blake and his wife went to
Dedham to attend fair, and Miss Peggy.
being sent to a friends, Katie was left
alone. Will Dartmouth in some way learned
the condition of affairs, and early in the
afternoon he came over to keep Katie com
pany.
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
Katie were having jolly time in popping
corn in the old-fashioned frying pan, over
the huge wood fire when there was q sound
of voices at the door.
Good gracious = cried Katie, turning
white with alarm, there is aunt Peggy
Oh, Will, what shall we do! She will
scold me to death and father will be furious.
Get under the lounge, quick! Oh, Will, do,
for my sake!
Will could not withstand the pleading in
Katie's eyes, and deposited himself in the
designated place.
Katie put out the light, and darting into
an adjacent bed room, in moment was ap.
parently sound asleep.
Peggy's voice was heard speaking softly
in the entry.
Be careful. Mr.. Pike. There's a loose
board there. l don't want to disturb my
niece. Softly; it may creak.'
Peggy, dear, where are you? responded
the squealing voice of Squire Pike the
widower of year. | can't tell which way
you've gone.'
There, Daniel be easy. Good heavens !
Daniel Pike! Well. l neverp and re.
port burst on the air like uncorking cham
pagse bottle.
Oh, my ~ cried aunt Peggy, what would
Jacob say? / declare haven't been kissed
by a man since
Let Jake mind his own business retorted
the Squire; You and can take care of
ours without his helpn and there followed a
report similar to the first, only more of it.
Do be quiet, Daniel and let me get a
light. Set yourself down there, afore the
fire, and make yourself at home
A light was soon procured, Peggy divest-
ed herself of her wrappings, and blushing
like girl in her teens, sat down opposite t.
the Squire.
It's fine evening" said Peggy by way
ofopening the conversation.
Very replied the Squire drawing his
chair close to hers, and laying his arm over
the back.
'Oh, good gracious! Daniel, don't si
quite so nigh to me. THAT is. don't con
slider is strictly approprious. Mercy Wha,
was thatT
Both listened attentively.
1t was the wind rattling the window, !
guess said the Squire. .Don't you 90 tc
getting 40 nervous. Peggy
thought it was Katie waking up
And if she should, | never should hear the
last of it,
'Hark! There's noise-I-'
Gracious airth it's bells. It's Jake and
marin coming back! What shall l do?-
We're done for! Oh, Squire. faint righ,
for US to be nothing to one tother! Do help
me- What shall do?'
Tell me where to 60, Peggy Say the
word I'll go anywhere for your sake, if
it's up the chimney!
Under the lounge, quick quick don't
delay minute
The Squire obeyed, but the space was
already so well filled that it was with diff
6culty he could squeeze himself into 80 small
q compass. And just as be had succeeded,
Mr.. Blake and his wife entered the room.
laundering around in the dark, for Peggy
had deemed it best to extinguish the light.
Jake made for the FIRE. which still glowed
red with Goals. stumbled over q cricke., and
tell headlong against Peggy who was stand
md bold upright. trying to collect her scat
tered senses.
The deuce cried Jake. Look out
tnefe old woman, or you'll be down over me-
It's dark as a pocket here. and Tve fell
over tne rocking cheer or churn. I can't tell
which. Hullo. what's thar 2 reaching ont
his hand to feel his situation, and coming ia
contact with the bearded facs Of the SQUIRE.