Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-04-17

chair close to hers, and laying his arm over her
back
''Oh, good gracious Daniel don't set quite
so nigh me. THAT is, [ don't consider it
strictly proper. Mercy! what's that''
Both listened attentively.
'It was the wind rattling the window, I
guess, said the Squire. 'Don't you go to get
ting so nervous, Peggy"
Il thought it was Katie waking up. And if
she should never should hear the last of it. !"
"Hark there is a noise-I--
Gracious arth it's bells It'sJake and marin
coming back What shall I do? We're done
for Oh, Squire, taint right for us to be moth
ing to one 'tother? Do hel lp me! What shall
l do?''
'aTell me where to go, Peggy! Say the
word. III 60 anywhere, for your sake, if it's
up the chimney.
Under the lounge quick don't delay min
ute for heaven sake quick!'
The Squire obeyed, but the space was already
SO well filed that it was with difficulty he could
squeeze himself into so small compass And
just as he had succeeded, Mr.. Blake and his
wife entered the room, foundering along in the
dark, for Peggy had deemed it best to extin-
guish 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.
'"The devil" cried Jake. ssLook out there,
old woman, or you'll be down over me. It's
dark as a pocket here, and I've fell over the
rocking cheer, Or the churn, I can't tell which.
Hullo what's that - reaching out his hand to
feel his situation, and coming in contact with
the bearded face of the Squire. ''By golly !
and what's this?"
The Squire did not relish the assault made on
his hirsute appendages, and by way of retalia-
ton, he gave series of kicks, which hit Will
yarmouth in the region of the stomach and
stirred his bile.
''Look here old chapr' exclaimed he; 'Im
perfectly willing to share my quarters with you
seein' as we're both in for it; but you'd but
you d better not undertake to play that again. !"
sHeavens!' calculated Peggy, ''whose voice
is that?"
'Who in the deuce is here? that's what
want to know p cried Jake, struggling for an
upright position. "Hullo! whose fell down on
my legs?'
''I'll let you know who's down and who's
up - said the voice of Mrs. Blake and the
old lady scrambled up, only to go instantly down
again over chair.
''Jake where are you? get up this instant,
and get light, or IL shake your breath out,
when get my feet again"
Jake started to obey, and just then Tige, the
watch dog, who, hearing the uproar, had man
aged to break loose from his chain, rushed upon
the scene, and set up his best bow-wow
The Squire had mortal horror Of dogs, and
neither fear nor love was strong enough to keep
him quiescent now. He sprang to his feet with
yell; Will followed Katie, full of alarm for
her lover hoped out of bed and appeared with
a flaming tallow dip-Peggy flung her arms
around the Squire neck, with cry Of terror,
and Jake was silent with amazement Mrs.
Blake was the only one who possessed her wits.
She seized the corn-popper, and laid about her
with vigor.
Her aim was not always correct, and, in con-
sequence, she smashed the looking-g glass into a
thousand fragments, and knocked down the
clock from its shelf and demolished two bowls
and pitcher that were quietly reposing on the
mantle
The Squire broke from Peggy embrace, and
flashed out of the window, viii followed him
and Mrs Blake would have pursued by the
same outlet, but she was little two large to
get through with ease.
A dread counsel was holden; Jake stormed,
Mrs. Blake threatened; and at last both Peggy
and Katie confessed. And Jake and his wife
were SO rejoiced at the prospect of getting rid
| Of Peggy, that they forgave their daughter,
and took Will yarmouth home at the end Of
the year.
And in due time, Peggy and the Squire were
made one flesh
O10 T1rr>rco N;,ro ,,,o III o,.,.., IL ,so ~