Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1865-01-18


: bother. But which one ? I can't say
/" 1 wish I wasn't in love. ButRhich do
/ love best2 for that amounts to something
q I shan't understand myself till I under
stand them.
And then, perhaps, the one I love
would give me the mitten as soon as
showed love. And t'other might Low
me better. And perhaps the one tina
loved me most wouldn't be the best 70
me. And perhaps the one who said sh,
loved me would only say so to take tn
shine off her sister, and so 1 should b
deceived. This love is a very unpleasan
piece of business, and alreadyit asplaceC
me in state of most doubtful uncertain
ty. 1 have tried one plan, and am il
more doubt than ever. But Joshua
badger, keep onl You'll get at the
rights of it at last. Plan another plan.
The effects of the haycock, according
to his grandfather's prophecy, became
more visible in the cautious proceedings
of the doubtful Joshua. His next ex-
pertinent was to ascertain which of the
two sisters had the souDdest, steadiest
mind, so that she would be less liable to
change after he had accepted her.
His idea was ingenious in its philoso-
ply. He made each the present of a
kitten, that each pet might test the af-
fection of their natures. He watched the
about equal degree of fOndness bestowed
upon the animals; and when he thought
love was established in that quarter, he
stole them away, and found that Fatima
showed the greatest concern, mourning
for a week, and tearing more clothes
in the hunt.
But this plunged him into more doubt.
As to Eittens-kittens may be no rule
to judge by. Fatty may love kittens,
while Lena may be more partial to dogs
and men, This is a great consideration,
for loss which is no loss should not be
much cried about; and beside, perhaps
those who are so wrapped up in dumb
beasts may not have enough tenderness
to spare for their partners. 1t is fortu-
nate that I have such thoughtful turn
of mind, or my good looks might be the
ruin of me. I must plan another plan,
and I will try their affection toward me.
l will get up a little game Of jealousy be-
tween them, and see which suffers most,
and piles in the victuals in the unhappi-
est manner. Ishall pity them, but am
acting for their peace of mind in the fu-
ture. So I will begin by taking Lena to
the horse race to morrow.
Lena saw the show and went home
with Joshua in high spirits, while Fatima
delighted him by smashing a plate at his
feet when he returned, and leaving his
bed unmade and his handkerchief un-
hemmed. Continuing his exclusive at
tention to the elder sister for time, the
coming Joshua perceived by her increas-
ing sulkiness that he was breaking the
heart of the neglected one; and so COM
menced upon the opposite track, by turn
ing his back upon Lena and going to a
candy scrape and quilting party with
Fatima, and packing so many pOsies, for
her alone, that Lena actually broke the
vase, and refused to make the usual seven
turn for each day in the week |
when she superintendent the baking.
az don't mind the turn overs" mused
Joshua, grayely, !" but it's time to turn
over a new leaf with these here two girls.
I don't see that I have proved anything
yet, which showed the greatest love or
showed the greatest spite. IF the turn
overs Offset the handkerchief, I think the
vase about equal to the plate. And it's
about nip and tuck in other respects
They're both ugly enough when they're
after all, is spite a sure sign of
lover If either was my wife, would she
be in danger of banging my head ? They
haven't got to harming me yet, but they
might, when they felt more intimate. I
think it is no use to go all round Robins
barn when you can 60 strait in at the
door. I think the best plan will be to
ask them both together, which is the
deepest in love with me- The old folks
are going to prayer-meeting tonight, and
I'll do my moral duty at home by speak
ing square Out." :" ~ . -
While the two sullnn sisters were pick
ng beans and pairing apples that even
ng, at opposite ends of the kitchen,
Joshua suddenly stopped writing, shut
Up his iack-knife, and told them he had
been experimenting with both, and what
vas on his mind.
"Now, which" said he, stretching out
ais boots toward them, with his hands in
li8 pockets, which of you two girls can
honestly say that she loves me the best2"
Here was a proposition for lover, but
hey felt that Joshua was honest, and
,
with equal bluntness:
81 don't care that for you" decided J,