The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1867-12-20
sclettea Tale.
HOW PEBBLES ASKED THE OLD MAN
BY JOHN QUILL.

PEBBLES had just asked Mr. Merri-
weather's daughter if she would give
him lift out of bachelordom, and she
said .yes.' 1t therefore became abso-
lutely necessary to get the old mans
permission, so, as PEBBLES said, that ar
rangement might be made for hopping
the conjugal twig. 1855
PEBBLES said he'd rather pop the ir.-
terrogatory to all ofold Merriweather's
daughters, and his sisters, and his fe-
male cousin, and his aunt Hannah in
the country, and the whole of his female
relations, than ask old Merriweather.- =
But it lad to be done, and so ne sat
down and studied out speech which
he was going to disgorge to old Merri-
weather the very first chance he got to
shy at him. SoPeehles dropped in on
him one Sunday evening, when all the
| family had meandered around to class
meeting, and found him doing a sum in
beer measure, trying to calculate the ex-
act number of quarts his interior could
hold without blowing the head off Of
| him.
s'How ar you, PeebP" said old Merri-
weather, as PEBBLES walked in as white
as chunk of chalk, and trembling as if
he had swallowed condensed earth
quake. PEBBLES was afraid to answer,
because he wasn't sure about that
speech. He knew he had, to keep his
grip on it while he had it there, or it
would slip away from him quicker than
an oiled eel through an auger hole. So
he blurted right out:
MIR. Merriweather. Sir, perhaps it
may not be unknown to you, sir, that
during an extended period of some five
years 1 have been busily engaged in the
prosecution of a commercial enterprise
.'
is that so ? and keepin' it a secret all
the time, while thought you was ten
din store? Well, by George you're
one of 'em, now ain't you?'
PEBBLES had to begin all over again tc
get the run OF it.
Mr.. Merriweather Sir, perhaps il
may not be unknown to you that during
an extended period of some five years
have been engaged in the prosecution
ofa commercial enterprise with the de.
termination to procure sufficient
maintenance - <an .I
'Sit down Pee5, and help yourself tC
beer. Don't stand there holding youi
hat like blind beggar with the paraly-
sis. What's the matter with you, any.
way? l never see you behave yoursel
so in all my born days!' 90
PEBBLES was knocked out of time a.
gain, and had to wander back and take
fresh start. oL
Mr.. Merriweather Sir, it may no
be unknown to you that during an eX
tended period of some five years hav,
been engaged in the prosecution of ;
commercial enterprise with the deter
mination to procure sufficient mainte
NANCE
"A which ance p asked old Merri
weather; but PEBBLES held on to the las
: word like it was his only chance, ant
went on.
sIn the hope that some day nigh
enter wedlock, and bestow my earthly
possessions upon one whom | could cal
my own. have been lonely man
sir, and have felt that it IS not good TO
man to be alone; therefore-
Neither is it, PEBBLES and I'm al
fired glad you dropped in. How's tn
old man?'
Mr.. Mcrriweather, SIR said PEBBLES
in desparing confusion, raising hi
voice to yell,' it may not be unknow
to you that during and extended perio
= of lonely man have been engaged t
enter wedlocl1, and bestow all my com
mercial enterprise upon one whom
could procure to be determination t
= be good for sufficient possessions-nC
| mean--that is-that--Mr. MerTiweath
er, sir, it may not be unknown
And then again it may. Look here
PEBBLES, you'd better lay down an
take something warm, you amt wei
PEBBLES, sweating like four-year ol