The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-01-08
Emerson ynttuilgcneet.
AZ QUEER COU URTSHIP.
BY T. c. RAYMOND.

Srx in nnm Der, were Se;llcu 7ttio
NAL, bright fire in my unclc's cosy sitClhs-
room. We had como from our homes 10
amend Christmas with jhim, and merry
lime we had passed. Christmas had gone,
end. our visit had been protracted far be-
rond our original intentions.
IIncle Richard and his wife. Aunt Jen-
M. were great f;,vorites with us. They
gka5 no children of their own, and were
always glad to have any young people
visit them, and happy enough were we to
avail ourselves Of the privilege.
On the night in question after tea was
finished, we were gathered in the.slttinS-
room. Aunt jenny was sitting oy tho
table on which rested the lamp, sewing,
and Unclo Richard was gazing abstracted-
lysinto the fire, and fstcningto to the storm
Al Il howled around the house, and shook
;t to its foundations.
aWhat a fearful night" said Aunt JON
nv. after q long silence. 81 was thinking
;net now how we should make it pleasant
for YOU, my dcars. What shall we do p
af have it," said, +, quickly, "Uncle
Richard shall tell us story"
"a story said my uncle, looking up
from the fire, az shall have to refuse you,
Nellie, I.have no talent for story telling
.'We can't let you off," | exclaimed.
se,A story we must have, uncle. Tell us
one of your own adventures. You know
you have been perfect Sinbad in advon-
tures."
Uncle. Richard scratched his head and
laughed. -,
aAow would you like a love story 2"
he asked.
s.Ihe very think. Let US have one, by.
all means,n was the unanimous reply.
aWell, then,'' he said, with a comical
glance at Aunt Jenny, "I'll tell you how.
/ won my wife. !"
"Now, Richard" began Aunt jenny,
blushing. :,
aNeyer mind, my DEAR" said my uncle,
ssit will interest thom, and," he added,
with laugh, cit may give them some
hints by which they may profit hereafter" !"
Uncle Richard stirred the fire, and
then settling himself comfortable in his
chair, told us his story.
aYou must know, my dear children,
that when was young man was
what is. generally termed very fast L
don't think was as bad as many young
men. or even as the majority Of them /;
but nevertheless I was looked upon by
good, steady people, as a dangerous COM
panion for their sons. was not long ac-
auiring this reputation, and it clung to
me long after deserved it. began to
mend my ways when l was about twenty
Eve, but I was more than thirty before l
got credit for being better man, and it
was during this time that I first met your
amt. Tt was case oflove at first sight; ];
something, by the way, of which young
ladies are fond of hearing, but which |
am poweress to explain. 1t was real.
honest, true love, though, and she was
worthy of it,"
Uncle Richards eyes wandered over to
where his wife was sitting, and meeting
there an answering smile, wandered back
to the fire, and ho went on.
GIVE first met alta party, and after that
quite frequently. l determined to be a
better man, and to fit myself for tho now
life which aspired. Jenny saw my eff
forts and encouraged them. Her father,
however, did not believe in my good in
tentions, and when be found / wanted to
marry his daughteS was very severe on
me. I had hard time with him before
/ was married, but after became his SON.
in-law, never had better, truer friend.
The old man is gone now, and hope he
is shappy. -,
euThe old gentleman had been soldier
in the war of 1872, and he carried militia
ry discipline into his family, where be
was very strict. lie was in addition to
this an elder in the Presbyterian church,
and;was not at all disposed to regard any
shortcomings withs leniency. One morn
ing was sitting in my Office, getting
ready to go into court, when in walked
old Major Shorter.
"sGood morning, major, said /, take
seat?
aHe returned my greeting, and took the
chair to which l pointed. He sat thoro
for at least FIVE minutes regarding me
with q fxedness that made me uncom-
Portable. When ho had finished his in
epection he placed his stick in front OF
him, and leaning his chin on it, looked at
me steadily, and said in an abrupt man
ner:
"sRichard Sturgis, have called this
morning on matter which is unpleasant
tonne, and which we had better settle at
once. Tell me frankly what is your
motive in visiting my daughter SO fre-
quently?'
a'To be frank with you, Major Shor-
ter replied boldly, i am very anxious
to make her my wife
a'Humpv muttercd the old man, short
", Il thought so. Isupposc you intended
to speak to me about this matter?'
"sI did, sir. but not for some time yet.
"sWell then, you may save yourself
any further trouble about it, for IL give
you my answer now. You can't have