Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1867-12-12

s'I'll have it decided, one wa,
tor the other, before the sun sets,
said Royal Warner. ilnpetuously
as he folded little billet and plac
ed it in an envelope. 81 am no.
a tuft of thistle down to be blowr
hither and yoa on the sulnmel
wind of a women's freaks and fan
cies. If she'll marry me, vel
and good-if not, / win make uT
) my mind to endure it as best
may" gG lc.asis ]
He was a tall. rugged young
fellow, with bright curls, fecked
with chestnut gold; dark spark.
ling eyes and q forehead enbrown-
ed with the suns and showers of
Itwenty-six years of honest toll.
"She knows well enough that l
love her." soliloquised Royal as he
walked along the fragrant solitude
Of the quiet country lane. "Per-
Ihaps she'll think this letter a lit
tie abrupt, but then she's perfectly
aware what a rough and tumble
sort Of a fellow | am"
The letter aforementioned did
partake slightly Of the elements
of abruptness, nor was ROYALS ap-
prehension altogether groundless.
Thus it read:
Only DEAR DoRCAs.-Will you
marry me? Yes, or no?
"RoYAL WARNER."
"For there's no earthly use in
beating about the bush," thought
honest Royal. "Seven are as good
as seventy"
As Dorcas Brown, standing in
the milkroom, peeped down in
the brown stone jar to see how
much cream she amassed, some
thing like a tiny white bird flut-
tered down on the floor beside
her.
"Good gracious said Dorcas
with q little start, "what's that =?
and where did it come from p
The rosy crimson swept over
her face as she read the few brief
words.
Sits just like Royal" she
laughed TO herself. + eyes, or no {?
Well think-yes!"
So Miss Dorcas crept up stairs
to her room, and without ever
stopping to pull the sleeves down
over her plump arms, wrote:
"MY DEAR RoYAL-Yes.
- "DoRcAs Brown"
II think that is decided enough
for him." said Dorcas. "And how
shall | ever get it to him without
my fathers knowledge p He
wants me to be Mrs. Joe Trim
mer." !
She hesitated a moment, and
then leaned out Of the window.
In the sunshine on the door
step sat Tommy Ives, o poor old
half,witted fellow who ran errands,
didodd Jobs, and imadeihimself gen.
orally useful in Farmer Browns
establishment-a man IN years,
but child in mint.
"Tommy" whispered Dorcas
softly.
Eyes, Miss Dorcas," said the
poor fellow, starting suddenly
from his doze.
"I want you to take this note,
to Mr.. Warner forme. And Tom I
MY .
"Yes, Miss Dorcas."
"Be sure and don't let my ia
ther see it. Remember that,
Tommy .t ...,.s.,.
Tommy promised, and started
On his mission, but meeting Far
ner Brown in the keeping room
be acted SO sheepish that the far
nersuspected something wrong and ,
,ross-eXamined himseverely. Af
ter the old man left, Tommy look
ID for his note, and at last uttered
! purring self-gratulation as he
lrew aslittle billet out from the Ia
Die drawer. I
81 don't exactly mind putting it '
here but I s'pose L must ha' {
lone so. Now Mr.. Royal shalt
rave it quicker r r 5,a..5 ID. ,i'' % .laia.a
And Tommy sped away, and
ound Royal under the shelteringl
Of the elm, tree that
iriinged the lawn. lsd 70 ss.sai'ssdt
a"For me, Tommy ?" 80 4, 80 so
eyes, for you, Mr.. Royal, Miss 6
Dorcas SAYS, "Take it to Mr.. War T
Ter for me. And don't you let