Nebraska advertiser., 1867-12-12
s elect 9t0rg*
COurtlng Under DlalcuItIes.

Kate Blake was the only daughter of
Jacob Blake, the old miser of West
Brook.
She was more than commonly pretty,
her frank, 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 heir
ess of he nice little sum of seventy
thousand dollars, and though men gene
rally profess not to be influenced by pc.
cuniary matters in affairs of love-, it is
to be reasonably supposed that this pros
pective wealth by no means lessened the
number of her adOrers.
Among those most ardent and perhaps
most sincere, was VIII Dartmouth, with
a heart larger than his purse, and very
little thought or care for consequences
Fortunately, old Jake never suspected
the partiality of his daughter for Will,
or he would have put her on bread and
water before he would have consented to
the slightest intimacy with Will Dart
mouth.
Jacob Blake was not in favor of mar
riage. Those who knew his circumstances
we're not surprised at it, for, to use
phrase more expressive than elegant,
Mrs. Blake was 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 handy.
A maiden sister of Mr.. Blake, re-
sided in the family, whose principal busl-
ness seemed to be to act as sort of echo
to her brother aad 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 perseveringly drilled
into her neice, who, though she never
dissented, had her own ideas on the sub
ject.
One day Mr.. Blake and his wife went
to Dedham to attend fair, and Miss
Peggy being absent at friends, Kate
was lett alone. VIII Dartmouth in some
way learned the condition of affairs, and
earlv in the afternoon he came over to
keep Kate company.
As her parents we're not expected home
until evening, Will felt perfectly secure
in stopping awhile after tea; and be and
Kate 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 doo-. "GoOd
gracious !" cried Kate with alarm,
"there is Aunt Peggy. Oh Will, what
shall we do? She will scold me to death
besides father will be furious. Get under
the lounge quick Oh VIII, do for my
sake ~
Will could not Withstand the pleading
in Kate's eyes. and he deposited himself
in the designated place.
Kate put oat the light, and darting
into an adjacent room il & moment was
apparently asleep.
Peggy's voice was heard in the hall.
"Be careful Mr.. Pike. There is
loose board there, don't want TO disturb
nv neice. Step softly or j! may creak.
peggy, dear, where are yOu!" re-
sponded the scueakiDg voice of Esquire
Pike, widower OF year. 81 cantte
WEIGH way you have gOne."
There, Daniel. be easy. Good
Heavens Daniel Pike. Well, ] never %
and report burst upon the air like the
upcorking of a champagne bottle.
"Oh my ~ cried Aunt Peggy "wha!
would brother Jacob say? l declare l
haven't been kissed by q man since
"Let Jake mind his own business" "
retor,ed the Squire. You and l can
take care of ours without his help" and
there followed a report similar to the
first, only more of it.
'sDO be quick, Daniel, and let me get
a light. Set right down there before the
FIRE. and make yourself at home"
A light was soon procured. Peggy
divested herself of her wraPpings, and
blushing like a girl in her teens. sat
down opposite the Squire.
"It's a very fine evening" said Peggy
by way of opening the conversation.