The Lincoln County herald., 1868-05-14
NETTIE GRAY,

Every BODY said that Nettle gray was
q beauty not one Of your polished city
bellies, but gay, roinping piece Of natures
handiwork yet gentle and affectionate
withal, possessing depth Of feeling and
sentiment.
Ncttie Gray had long been loved by
Charley Grattan, tho handsome young
merchant, Who kept the only store the
village of N-could boast Of. He had
realized quite fortune, a part Of which
hc had invested in the purchase Of Widow
Morton's beautiful cottage and grounds,
who had been obliged to take place
where she could live less expcnsivoly.
The numberless acts Of generosity which
Charley was never tired Of performing,
made him hero Of the village, and caused
him to be loved and respected by both
old and young.
Nettie Gray was Indifferent to his many
visits, for the spirit Of mischief seemed to
possess her, and though she was uni
formly kind and gentle in her disposition
towards her lover, yet when he approached
the subject nearest his heart, she was of
like q frightened bird. Not that she was
afraid ofhim, or that his subject was dis
tasteful to her, for her own heart was
equally interested but she delighted to
tease him, and heartily enjoying his dis
comfture on such occasions. She knew
ho loved her with all the strength Of his
soul, and she had no fear Of alternating
his affections from hersclf-an event
would have given her the deepest pain.
Charley had begun to think seriously
Of marriage; and why not? There stood
the cottage embowered in trees, many Of
which we're bending under their heavy
load of fruit unoccupicd. 1t only needed
tho presence Of his bright eyed Ncttis to
make it paradise. His income was more
than sufficient to satisfy their most OK.
travagant wants, and why should he not
marry? Many times he had visited Net.
tie with the express purpose Of revealing
his wishes but had ~ often been pre-
vented from saying what he wanted to
say, BY the little mischief running away
at the first word he uttered.
To think Of supplying her place from
the many damsels in the village who
would gladly have accepted bis hand, was
out Of the question. 1t was Nettie that
hc loved aud Ncuie only, and he felt
sure she returned his affections, but how
could he ever get married If he was not
permitted to propose?
II must resort to stratagem," thought
he /; and no partially formed many plans
to bring her to terms, and as often aban.
doncd them.
His mind was busy with such thought;
as, on bright morning in September
he walked towards Farmer Gray's man
sion. He lcisurly ascended the hills al
the top Of which, upon lovely table land
was the great old house, when he was
startled BY familiar voice calling
"Drirg me the ladder, Dick I wan
to get down."
Upon looking up lie beheld Nettie
seated in the widespread branches Of ,
large apple tree that stood in the ficlt
near the road. Dick, perched upon the
topmost round Of ladder that Leaned
against peach trco, was quietly filing ,
basket with the beautiful. delicious fruit
"Wait minute, Sis" replied Dick
without locking up, ~ have got my bas
ket almost full. will come 10 q minute.
Dick evidently began to think some
thing was wrong, for as he turned rount
his eye instantly caught sight Of ou'
young hero coming up tho road, but {
few rods from where they were. He i'm
mediotely descended the trec, but instea,
Of taking the ladder to assist his sister t.
descend, he gave lond shout, threw hi
cap into the air, and ran rapidly dowr
the bill, shouting at tho top Of his voice
20, MI. Grattan, I've treed coon =
Then placing his hands upon the groun'
before him, he turned some five or 81,
summersaults, picked his cap up and raj
with oil bis might to the housa. Th'
little rogue evidently loved mischief as
we'll as his pretty sister.
Charley's first thought was to get t.
80. >G 1. 4. 4 A