North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-08-23
Peggy's voice was heard speaking softly in

| peggy, dear, where are you Z" responded
the squealing voice of E>quire Pike, the wild
over of year. 81 can't tell which way
you've gone
"There Daniel! be easy. Good Heavens !
Daniel Pike, Well, never !" and report
burst on the air like uncorking champaign
bottle. $3.50. s.
ooh, my! cried Aunt Peggy, ''whst
would brother Jacob say declare, l han't
been kissed by man sense"
"Let Jake mind his own busine SIS p re-
torted the square. "You and can take care
of ours without his help )" and there follow
ed report similar to the first, Only more OF
| it,
'Do be quiet, Daniel, and let me get
light. Set right down there afore the fire
and make 20 ourself to home"
A light was soon procured, Peggy divest-
ed herself Of her wrappings, and blushing
like girl in her teens sat down opposite the
Squire.
les fine evening"" sad Peggy, by the
way Of opening the conversa ton.
Very" replied the Squire, drawing his
chair close to hers, and laying his arm over
the back.
Oh, good gracious Daniel, don't set
quite So nigh TO me. / that is, I don't con
slider it strictly proper. Mercy what was
that ~
Both listened attentvely.
'It was the wind rafting the window, I
guess" said the Sqmre. Don't you go to
getting SO narvous, Peggy"
II though. it was Katie waking up. And
if she should, never should hear the last cf
| it,"
"H.rk There is noise-T-"
"GraciOus airth its bells. It's Jake and
marin coming back What shall do p
We're done for! On, Squire, 'talnt right for
US 10 be nothing to one tother? Do help
me ! What shall do ~
"TeIl me where to go, Peggy Say tie
word. III go anywhere, for your sake, IT'S
| up the chimney" :"
"Under the lounge, Quick +! It's wide, and
will hold you well enough. Quick dont
delay minugeH'
The Squire obeyed, but the space was al
ready so well filled that it was with Difficult
ty he could squeeze himself into SO small
compass. Ana just as he had succeeded,
Mr.. Blake and his wife entered the room.
| tioundering along in the DARK, for Peggy ha0
deemed 1T best TO extinguish the light. :
Jake made for the fire which still glowed red
| with Goals, stumbled over a cricket, and fell
headlong against Peggy, who was standing
bolt upright, trying to collect her scattered
senses.
"Tbe deuce; )" cried Jake. "Look out,
| there, old woman, or you'll be down over me.
It's dark as pocket here, and I've fell over
he rocking cheer, or The churn, l can't tell
which. Hulo what's that ?" reaching out
bis hand to EEL his situation, and coming in
| contact with the bearded face of the SQUIRE
by George it's got whisktrs Peg Peg
where are yon and where's Kate ? and
what's this 2n
The Squire did not relish the assault made
on his hrsute appendages, and by way of re.
taiation, he gave series of v,P Porous kicks,
which hit Will Dartmouth iu the region of
the stomach and stirred his bile
'Look here, old chapr' exclaimed he =
"l'm perfectly willing to share my quarters
with ouy, seein as we're both in for but
you'd better not undertake to play that
again"
"Heavings !" CALCULATED Peggy 'whose
voice is that 2"
"Who in the deuce is here that's what
l want to know !" cried Jake struggling for
an upright position. "Hullo! who's fell
down over my legs P'
"l'll let you know who's down, and who's |
up n' said the voice of Mrs Blake; and the
old lady scrambled up, only 20 go Instantly
down again over a chair. Jake where are
you; GIT up this instant, and git light, or
I'll shake your breath cut, when get my
feet agin."
Jake started to obey, and just then Tige,
the watch dog, who hearing the uproar, had
managed to break loose from his chain,
rushed upon the scene, aud set up his best
pOw-wow. .-...-...... .... ... .
The Squire had mortal horror Of dogs,
and neither fear nor love was strong en- nigh
to keep him qnlescent now. He sprang to
his feet with yell Will followed. Katie,
full Of alarm for her lover hoped out of bed,
and appeared with flaming tallow dip
Peggy flung her arms around the Sqnires
neck, with cry of terror, and Jake was si-
lent with amszement. Mrs. Blake was the
only one who possessed her wits. She
seized the corn popper, and laid about her
with vignr.
Her aim was not always correct, aud. in
cous' quencesi she smashed the looking glass
| into thonsand fragments, and KNOCKED
down the clock from its shelf and demolished