The weekly union record., 1866-01-27
Courting Under Difficulties.

Of Jacob Blake, the old miser Of West
Brook. She was more than commonly
pretty, and her frank, engaging manners
enhanced her charms. At her fathers
death, she would be heiress to seventy
five thousand dollars; and, although
men pretend not to be interested by
pecuniary matters in affairs Of love, yet
it is to be supposed that this prospective
wealth did not lessen the number of her
adorers. Among those most ardent.
and perhaps most sincere, was VIII
yarmouth, a rattle-brained young car
penter, 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; lie would have
put her on bread and er>before he
would have consented to the slightest
degree of intimacy with VIII Darmouth.
Jacob Blake was not in favor of mar
riage. Those who knew his circum-
stances were not surprised at this; for
Mrs. Blake was Tartar, with temper
enough for two Tartars.
A maiden sister of Mr.. Blake resided
in the family, whose principal business
seemed to be to act as a sort of echo to
her brother and his wife. Whatever
they thought, she thought, too. She
regarded 1t as primary sin for Katie
to associate with young men ; and this
doctrine was perseveringly drilled into
her niece, who, though never dissenting,
had her own ideas on the subject.
One day, Mr.. Blake and wife went
to Dedham to attend a. fair, and Miss
Peggy being sent to 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 company. AS her parents
were not expected home until the next
day, and Peggy not till late in the
evening, VIII felt perfectly secure in
stopping awhile after supper; and he
and Katie were having a jolly time
popping corn in the old fashioned frying
pan, over the huge wood fire, when there
was sound of voices at the door.
''Good graeiousH' cried Katie, turning
white with alarm, ''there is Aunt Peggy.
Oh, VIII, what shall we do! She will
scold me to death and father will be
furious. Get under the lounge, quick
Oh, viii, 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
bedroom, in a moment was apparently
sound asleep.
Peggy's voice was heard speaking
softly in the entry: ''Be careful, Mr..
Pike There's a loose board there. I
don't want to disturb my niece. Softly;
it may creak." Peggy, dear, where
are you?' responded tie squealing voice
of Squire Pike, the widower Of year.
81 can't tell which way you've gone"
''There, Daniel! be easy. Good heavens,
Daniel Pike! Well, | neverp' and a
report burst on the air like uncorking a
champagne bottle. ooh, myH' cried
Aunt Peggy, "what would Jacob say!
l declare | haven't been kissed by
man since" ''Let Jake mind his
own business - 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
light. Set yourself down there, afore
the fire, and make yourself at home"
A light was soon procured, Peggy
divested herself of wrappings, and,
blushing like girl in her teens, sat
down opposite to the Squire. Its
fine evening"" said Peggy, by way
of opening 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 sit quite so nigh to me. THAT
is, l don't consider it strictly approprious.
Mercy. What was that!''
Both listened attentively. cit was
the wind rafting the window, I guess"
said the Squire. ''Don't you 90 to
getting nervous, Peggy" 81 thought
it was Katie waking up. And, if she
should, l never should hear the last