Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-02-01

well, and am particularly fond of riding,
and was always in the habit of going
with him and Julia. And, 1 suppose,
he can't see why he shouldn't treat me
the same as ever. Bnt be has no more
idea Of anything serious than an unwean.
ed baby, and l wouldn't give occasion
for sighting remark on any consider
alton. I am actually distressed, fol-
what can do if be asks me again
How can 1 refuse without wounding his
feelings ? I've great mind to tell him
candidly I do not think it is proper
but do you suppose I could get up the
courage ? 1t would reflect SO on his dis
cernment. 1t would be delicate mat.
ter. Now, don't laugh at me, or I am
afraid / shall take a dislike to the
man, and that would be a pity, for he is
a person value as friend. l sham
like it if you make fun Of me, I say
Now stop IT."
~ am not laughing at you, Isabel
look behind you," replied Clara.
So Isabel looked, and saw the stout
figure of her brother-in-law, Clara's hus
band, who supposed be had a right to &c
wherever Clara went, standing in the
door listening to Isabeps perplexity
with his great mans ears and his small
mans sympathies.
"Why, bless you p he cried, in his
rough man fashion, 81 know what you d
either one of you do-demurely get into
the wagon. l know you woman folks
as we'll as though I had made you"
Great complacent, foolish man Isabel
didn't get into the wagon the next time
Calvin Hamilton asked her, though the
wagon was an elegant carriage, and the
horse was a-span No, she was SO in
sensible that she never budged 40 inch,
and so ungrateful that she said she'd
rather not. There's self denial for you
She refused also to take the place of his
dead Julia, though he begged her with
tears in his honest blue eyes.
And so he married the Widow Cha
ney, and dropped out of our story.
And before six months were over Mrs.
Fascett had seen another sight, "Fas-
cett," said she to her husband, what do
you think I saw down in the south
spring pasture?
Mrs. Fascet's husband was man very
tall of his age, and very thin of his
height, with face about as animated
and full of expression as slice of boil
ed pork, and eyes Ikea piece of light
blue glass.
81 don't know" said he. He usu-
ally didn't know; but then his wife
could always tell him, so it did not make
much difference.
"Fascett, as sure as you are sitting
in that CHAIR (this was Mrs. Fascett's
customary form of adjuration), "with
these two eyes 1 saw James Hamilton
sitting on a maple log, swinging his
legs and chewing shaving, and Isabel
Hubbylthorne on the other end of the
selfsame log
"Did you hear what they were talk
ing on 2" asked Mrs. Fascett's husband,
his eyes trying to sparkle, and looking
as animated as beads in the sunlight.
"Of course not! Do you think
would demean myself to be around bark
ing, Fascett?'' returned his wife, vir-
tuously. "There was mt any need of it
this time, to be sure, for James showed
in the very crook of his elbow just what
he was saying, and Isabel she showed
she was saying NO to it 1t stood out
all around them as plain to see as fog
over brook.
"Sho!" replied Mrs. Fascett's hus-
band.
And "sho" it was.
II have never suspected you could
have such an idea, Jamie. I have
often said your family came next to my
cousins-and with me my cousins come
next to my brothers and sisters-but l
have never thought of your being any
nearer. I am sorry said Isabel from
her end of the log.
"Then take little time to think.
Don't answer me now," pleaded jamie,
eagerly.
s-Time would make no difference with
my answer. I shall always say the
same,' replied Isabel decidedly.
And simple Jamie took her at her
word, ignorant that patience will worry
nineteen girls out of twenty into any
kind of alliance or misalliance, and l
dare say the twentieth as well if the pa
thence is continuous enough.
So they left the log, and went their
ways farther and farther from each other.
Jamie sighed a few days and nights like
a pine tree on hill-a cheerful sound
at all times, and one suited to make a
melancholy minded person fit to jump
into the we'll. He really thought the
sky had fallen, but it proved to be only
a rose-leaf; and after while the stars
began to twinkle again just as much
like diamonds as ever.
By that time, though, it was a full
year, and Jamie's brother, Horatio, had
come home from Oregon.
"And what did Horatio do, but
straightway follow in the footprints Of
his brothers.
"I guess" said Mrs. Fascett,
sswhether or no Isabel Hubbylthorne
and Horatio Hamilton won't make a
match of it. Horatio is pretty wide
awake, bat I don't reckon that will hurt
him any for Isabel, and | guess that will
be match. To my certain knowledge
they haverid out together. ! happened,