Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-03-08
Courting under Difficulties.

ty, and her frank, engaging manners
enhanced the charms of golden hair
pearly skin, 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
profess not to be influenced by pecu
MARY matters in affairs of love, it is
to be reasonably supposed that this
prospective wealth by no means les
sened the number of her adorers.
Among those most ardent, and per
haps most sincere, was Will Dart.
mouth, with heart larger than his
purse, and very little thought or care
for consequences.
Fortunately, old Jacob never sus-
pected the partiality Of his daughter
for Will; he would have put her on
bread and water before he would
have consented to the slightest init
macy with viii Dartmouth.
Jacob Blake was not in favor of
marriage. Those who knew his cir
cumstances were not surprised at this,
for, to use a phrase more expressive
than elegant, Mrs. Blake was a Tar
tar, with temper enough for two Tar
tars.
Old Jacob had to "walk Spanish, .
for the most part, or suffer the conse-
quences, which usually descended on
his head, in the shape of any domestic
ntensil which happened to be lying
around handy.
A maiden sister of Mr. Blake re-
sided in the family, whose principal
| business seemed to be to act-a sort
of echo to her brother and his wife.
Whatever they thought, she thought
too.
She regarded it as primary sin
=. for Kate to associate with the young
men. and this doctrine was persevere-
ingly drilled into her niece. who tho
she never dissented, had her own
idea on the subject.
One day Mr.. Blake and his wife
went to Delham to attend fair, and
Miss Peggy being absent at friend 5,
Kate was left alone. WillDartmouth,
in some way, learned the condition of
affairs, and early in the afternoon he
came over to keep Kate company.
As her parents were not expected
home until the evening, Will felt per-
fectly secure in stopping a while after
tea; 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 a sound
of voices at the door, Good graci-
ous I" cried Kate turning white with
alarm, There is Aunt Peggy. Oh
Will. what shall We do? She will
scold me to death; and father will be
furious. Get under the lounge, quick
Oh Will, do for my sake !"
Will could not withstand the plead
ing in Katie's eyes, and he deposited
himself in the designated place.
Katie put out the light, and dartin-
into an adjacent room in a moment
was apparently asleep.
Pcggy'S voice was heard in the
hall.
BE careful, Mr.. Pike. There is ;
] loose board there, | don't want to dis
: turb my niece. Softly, it may creak.
4 Peggy, dear, where are you?" re
sponded the squeaking voice of ESQ
Pike, the widower of year.
Il can't tell which way you have
gone.
j "Therc, Daniel be easy. Goo
heavens! Daniel Pike. Well | nev
err and a report burst on the al
= ike the uncorking of champaign
' bottle.
6 "Oh myr' cried Aunt Peggy, "wha
would brother Jacob say? | declar
I hain't been kissed 10y man sine
LET Jake mind his own business
= retorted the squire. "You and | ca
take care of ours without his he p !;
and there followed a report similar t
d the first only more of it.
5, "Do be quiet, Daniel, ard let m
5, get light. Set right down there be
fore the fire and make yourself &
home.
R A light was soon procured, Pegg
divested herself Of her wrappingS, an
f blushing like a girl in her teens Sc
ID down opposite the Squire.
: dts fine evening" said Peggy, b
the way of opening the conversation
"Very," replied the Squire, draw
ir inc his arm over her back.
en- ooh, good gracious Daniel, don
s., IS, set quite so nigh to me THAT is
th iii don't consider it strictly proper
Mercy what's that?"
- Both listened attentively.
1T was the wind rattling the wi
dow, Iguess," said the Squire. "Dor
you 90 to getting so nervous Peggy
M 'I thought it was Katie waking
= and if she should, should never he
IS. the last of it. ="
"Hark! There is noise-I-"
in in "Gracious airth it's bells. |
Jake and marin coming back WI
shall | do? We're done? Oh Squl
IN 'taint right for US to be nothing to o
,te 'tother? DO help me! What sh
. | do?"
"Tell me where to go, Peggy !
the word I'll go anywhere, for yc
= sake, if it's up the chimney"
Nc Under the lounge, quick It's WI
and will hold well. Quick do
delay a minute! y
The Squire obeyed, but the sp'
was so we'll filled that 1t was W
5. difficulty he could squeeze himself