The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-04-03
COURTING UNDER DIFFICULTIES.

Katie Blake was the only daughter of
Jacob Blake, the old miser of West Brook
She was more than uncommonly pretty
and herflank, engaging manners enhanced
the charms of golden hair, pearly teeth.
and eyes like the blue skies of summer.
At her fathers death she would be heiress
to the nice little sum of seventy thousand
dollars, and though men generally pretend
net to be Influenced By pecuniary matters
iu affairs of love, it is to be reasonably
supposed thatthis prospective wealth By no
means lessened the number other adorers
Among those most ardent, and perhaps
most sincere, was VIII Dartmouth, with
heart larger than his purse and very little
thought OF care for consequences.
Fortunately, old Jacob neversuspected
the partiality of his daughter for Will !;
be would have put her on bread and water
before he would have consented to the
slightest degree of Intimacy with viii
Dartmouth
Jacob Blake was not in favor of mar
riage Those who knew his circumstances
were not surprised at this, for to use a
phrase more expressive than elegant, Mrs
Blake was regular 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.
i 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 1t as primary sin for
Katie to associate with the youn g men,
and this doctrine was perseVeringly drilled
into her niece, who, though she never dis
Sc lted, had her own ideas on the subject.
One day Mr.. Blake and bis wife went
to Dedbam, te attend fair, aud Miss
Peggy being 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 keep
Katie company.
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 aud Katie were having jolly time
popping corn in the old fashioned frying
pan, over the huge wood 6re, when there
was a sound Of voices at the door.
"Good gracious p cried Katie, turning
white with alarm, "that is Aunt Peggy
Oh, VIII, what shall We do? She will
scold me tD death and father will be fu-
rious-Get under the lounge, quick Oh,
Will do for my sake 2"
Will could not withstand the pleading
10 Katie's eyes, and he deposited himself
in the designated spot.
Katie put out the light, and darting
into an adjacent bed room, in moment
was apparently asleep.
Peggy's voice was heard speaking softly
10 the entry,
BE careful, Mr.. Pike. There's loose
board there | don't want to disturb my
niece. Softly-it may creak-
"Peggy. dear, where are you?" responded
the sqaealng voice of Esquire Pike, the
widower of year. Il cant tell which
way you've gone"
There, Daniel be easy. Good Heavens!
Daniel Pike, well, l never" and re-
port burst on the air like uncorking
champaign bottle.
"Oh, my y cried Aunt Peggy, "what
would brother Jacob say | declare, |
hain't been kissed by a man sense
"Let Jake mind his'own business I"
retorted the squire You and | can take
care of ours without his helps" and there
followed report something similar to
the first, only more Of it. -
"Do be quiet Daniel, aud let me get q