Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1867-01-11

mhrted the Old fndy; "for my part oOu't
like him much, and don't think he would
be very desirable match, for he is not do
ing very well in the world, and believe he
Is young man Of very unsettled habits"
"Ohl no, he ain't,"1 replied, " he is tol-
cradle well of, and he has wealthy relations,
whose heir he will be. For my part | think
he Is a very desirable young man; | hope
he will ask, and ri have him certain.
"Carrie," said the old lady, opening her
eyes in amazement saint you ashamed o!
yourself TO say 30 Perhaps the young
man never thought Of such thing"
Didn't he though" said ], "Fll make
him ask me tomorrow"
uMy daughter" said the old lady, al do
not approve of 1t. There's Mr.. Slivers
wonld like to have you, and he is well to do
in the world. do wish you wonld give
him some encouragement" I.sH
To pacify the old lady promised would,
while at the same time | swore to have Sliv-
ers' hearts blood II l ran across him. As
luck wonld hare II, a note came that very
morning from Slivers asking miss Carrie
/, if he might have the pleasure of her com.
pany for a drive in the afternoon" sent
him very affectionate and encouraging re-
| ply, which have no doubt, made Slivers
caper around his room with joy, as he con-
cluded that he had at last made an impress
sion. Poor Slivers, he didn't know that he
was being fattened with bliss only to be
slaughtered by despair. At three O'Clock
in the afternoon Slivers drove to the door in
q splendid turnout, and hitching bis horses,
rang the bell. had fixed myself in Carrie 9
prettiest bonnet and cloak, and can, without
vanity, say that looked deliciously bewitch-
ing. found very little difficulty In arrang-
ing myself; Carries fingers did It mechan-
ically from habit. fentered the parlor with
one Of her sweetest smiles on her face, and
Slivers rose TO greet me. He was gorgeous
ly, apparelled, and as was pretty well post
ed in male attire, knew he had spent sev.
eral hours upon his toilette. He was some
what embarrassed ut first, but ! greeted him
with the utmost cordiality, and glanced as
tenderly at him as could. Ieven ventured
to give his hand gentle pressure as took
it, whereupon be became more embarrassed
than ever, but seemed almost beside himself
with Joy. You see had made up my mind
to settle Slivers business that afternoon, and
wanted to draw him out and get him to
make fool of himself We got into the
carrige and drove of rapidly. talked and
laughed in Carries most bewitching manner,
keeping up lively fire of remarks upon
persons and things upon the road, and upon
subjects In general, but Slivers was shy
evidently had something on his mind which
be wanted to get rid Of, and be could not
talk. thought while was about 1t I
might as well get his opinion of myself, SO
said: y .t-F eE
"Mr Slivers, have heard queer stories
about Joe Parsons lately; do you know any
thing of hhn?" taylaH 81
A CLEAN of Joy passed over Slivers' coun.
tenance at this, and he said in kind Of
hesitsting manner that was evidently assum-
cd.
"Ahi Miss Carrie, don't like to tell
what know of that young man."
"You can speak freely to me, Mr. Slivers," !"
said I. What you say shall be be conf.
dential.' At6 .
"Well," says be, "It pains me TO say IT,
Miss Carrie, but Parsons is addicted TO the
most horrible vices. He was carried home
in state of ssnseless in.oxication, four nights
last week." ~
: You shock me, Mr.. Sliveu," said but
had suspected this partly" i-.l *
Yea" said he, ahe 10 dangerous young
man, and ! should be truly sorry 10 have
him intimate with any female friend Of
mine" TH
l felt a good deal like getting up and
punching Slivers' head at this, but kept my
temper, and waited for my revenge. O6ming
home observed that Slivers was worked
up pretty near TO the proper pitch of des-
peration, and kept perfectly silent. Pres
emily he burst out suddenly with
"Miss Carrie, want to talk to you upon
a serious matter"
GMr. Slivers," said I, "you frighten me-"
"The fact is," said he, I" that have long
ago learned to regard you with more than
common esteem, and am now-that is
that--that-ah-h-h." Slivers here became
so embarrassed that be could mt 80 on.
"Well, what of il Mr.. Slivers2" calm
ly said. .
He boiled all over at this point, and said
desperately, Why, Carrie, love you, and
want You to be my wife,"
"Look here, Mr.. Slivers," said "don't
behave SO foolishly, every bodys looking at
us. Amt you ashamed to jest upon SO seri-
Gus subject" r
"Jest." said he, "jest about it By the
heavens I'm in earnest. If you refuse me
you viii blight my happiness, drive me to
despair, aud take away the ouly hope that
makes life endurable
"Pshaw, Slivers" said I, ait won't do
anything of the kind. You got along well
enough without me before this, and guess
you can STILL"
"Do you refuse me - said he, aare all
the bright hopes have cherished, to be thus
dispelled? All, II cannot be-"
al am afraid il can," replied, al would
not have you under any circumstances
Slivers here uttered something very pro-
fame, and then grinding his teeth until we
reached home, when he said, FAREWELL
havea rival-Parsons-- I'll be revenged yet, "
and drove off at furious rate.
Carrie brought my bodily shape around
to see me thst evening, and rs soon as we
were alone she said, "Joe, ! am afraid you
don't behave as well as you ought TO. Do
YOU know I've been asked ever so many
times to-day to stake something TO drink, "
by strange young men, who expressed in
tense surprise at my refusal; and look here,
Joe, said she, banding me two unsettled bills
Of very long standing. "i believe you are
10 debt" i
"well Carrie,n said, little ashamed
~ own up to iu but II you n promise to have
me, I'll pay of oil my debts, stop "takine
something" and cut all the fellows who
asked you.'
"Oh, Joe," she said, show can you2-
Don't you know that the lady ought not to
propose to the gentleman 2"
"Never mind" said, "will you take ms
on those termsT
"Well, joe" said she, 81 guess ! will
have to, or maybe you won't let me bach
into my own body"
What passed then Il is not necessary Il
~. L.k al do