Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-11-28

marry cruel boy like that He might poke
my eyes out with his dirty fingers"
"Well, Polly; I'll come back, if you'll
wait for me, then"
"Of course will. When are you goingg"
Next week. I'll bring you a keepsake
before CO."
II don't want anything, Sam, m,-cxcopt-'
"Well9 Except"
u was going TO say-if might have Clip,
only TO take care of for you, you know"
"'Have himP'-I shall be only too glad
to find so kind little mistress for him; I'll
bring him down next time l come. Good
bye, Polly. OF course as you're my little
wife, ! must kiss you"
"Of course you must, SAM"
Zip" was duly brought down, and after
long leavc-taking, Sam was gone.
When Polly had dried her eyes she said
Mamma, what's that ring ON your finger?
not the wedding one-the other?"
"That's keepsake.
"No, not that; the one with the emerald
In itP"
"Thats what papa gave me when was
engaged to him."
"What for9"
81 don't know; because it's customary to
wear one, l suppose"
Don't you think Sam ought TO have given
me ono, mamma-so as 10 show everybody
I'm ongaged2n
"Bless the chlld He's nearly old enough
to be your father. Run along and finish
your sewing"
'Neyer mind, mamma, I've got tho little
gold medal with hole in it, and can show
that, can't II"
''Mr. Halslead's been here again to-day
That's the fourth time this week. What on
earth docs he want here9n
ITO tell you the truth, think he wants
Polly"
"oh, indeedl Our little Polly, too"
.Now, Johnl Little Pollyr She's a very
wellgrown girl, and was twenty-five yester-
day"
"TwentY.twol How time fiesl It seems
but little while since Sam White went
away, and yet it must be nearly twelve
years.n
1--WE ought to have letter this mail; IT'S
nearly six months since the last John.
wish that he would not write at all; that
girl will never settle down through that non
sense. She'll wait and wait, and then he'll
bring wife home"
"There's no hurry. Bless my heart, wilel
Why you were seven-and.twenty when
married you.''
"That was your fault. was quite ready
and willing years before, il you'd only
spoken up like man."
81 tell you what, wife, it's serious thing
this proposing"
"Well, hope the result has proved as
pleasant as the prospect was serious"
"All right, old lady, all right there's moi
much TO grumble at"
Why any spectator, had there been one,
should have seen Mrs. Hazel sitting on hel
husbands knee with her arm round his neck
and tears in her eyes, don't know; but sc
It was.
"But about Mr. Halstead, John?"
"Well, my dear, il he speaks to meas
suppose, being curate, he will shall tel
HIM to speak 10 her. / need not ask you
what you would do. / know that every
woman would like to have one Of her daugh'
ters married TO parson, though I'm sure
l don't know why"
"They're very nice people, that's why
much better than stupid farmers"
"0hi Why didn't yoN marry curate, and
you had two chancesp"
Because--because- preferred a stupid
pipe smoking farmer, like foo--like wise
woman, John, dear"
Gan right, old lady, III give my consent. u
In due time consent was asked and given
and Polly refused the curate, tenderly and
kindly; offering him sisterly affection, whicl
was not exactly what he wanted. And he
laid his plant before her father.
"She says she's engaged, sir; and showed
me medal"
And thereupon explanations were giveI
and the curate went home worse than ever
80 bad, indeed, that in three months time
being of good family, he was obliged to b,
consoled by one OF the seven girls at tn
vicarage, and as nobody said anything abou
his little affair at the farm, Polly ATTENDED
in sisterly way as one of the bridesmaids
as ''it would not do, you know, to have onl.
sisters, though there are six of them"
i Another year passed, and Mrs. Haze
had her way, and there was no letter fror
: Sam.
Farmers and doctors, and another curat'
, too, had laid siege 10 the fortress of Polly
i heart and had been beaten off, and compelle
Y TO retreat IN despair
p Polly was bright and lively, and did
K her abundant hair in the same ravishin
T. masses as ever; but she had no love for an
I one.
e Old "Gip," toothess and a little blin
g used to trot about the place after her or
n carried about in her arms; but as for gri
@ or care, Polly seemed 10 know them not.
Al last her winter came.
e "Who do you think has come back, Polly
"Sam,"
Up "Yes-and his wife"
k "No, father--no--don't say il. He wou
ut not-could not-after all these years"
"Didn't tell you so, Polly3 l know
would; they always do bring back wives
q, "Are you sure, fatherS"
,No; but old Gatherwood told me he 81
,r. them IN tho town. Sam who has gro7
81 b.o,,,,, ond I,oorded and stout and n lii