The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-12-28

7
gone, trembling figure between them.
"Fido! Ponto! down !" and before
could offer my feeble assistance, the dogs
were cronching submissively at their
masters feet.
Il am very sorry, ladies'" he began.
respectfully raising his hat.
Il viii receive your apologies at some
future time unceremoniously interrUp
ted aunt Tabitha. Come into the house,
Mary" and with an indignant toss 0f
her iron-gr cr;rla, she led the way.
followed, obediently, but not before
catching look of mischievons apprecia
ton, which plainly indicated his knowl-
edge Of her anxiety concerning me
That day, my relative was more explicit
than ever before. Should he bow. Or
speak, was to answer by neither wcrd
Or gesture.
But, Aunt Tabitha, that would be
downright discourtesy."
She lifted her spcctacles, and regarded
me sarcastically
,".Downright discourtesy! Well, upon
my word. think q person who has
seen sixty eight years of life is better
able to judge and advise than young
chit of twenty
l made no reply -as.a the conversation
ended:-Fur several days successfully
avoided meeting the object Of her dis,
pleasure; but, one morning, while attend
ing my little garden, was startled by our
neighbor's voice. He had bidden me
good morning" and on the other side
OF the little white fence was awaiting
my answer. Notwithstanding aunt Ia
itha's prohibitions, I replied, and we
soon were converoing amicably. That
was the beginning Of cur acquaintance
afterward We met frequently
u have just received very interest
ing epistle from that aunt of yours" he
said, one afternoon, with q strange, quiz
zical glance.
l did not comprehend.
From aunt t.Eabitha ?' l repeated, in
amazement. What iu the world could
she write You about?"
"Well," he answered, laughingly, sit
seems she has discovered we are pretty
good friends, and is very naturally wor.
ried; but you can see for yourself"
1 opened the missive, gingerly; it
read:
SIR: II you are gentleman, re.
uounce all thought of my niece, at once.
She must marry as l wish, and ! could
never consent 10 yo9F becoming her hus-
band. Drop the acquaintance Just Mbenn77 ~
it is 'oaHafsi i ES4 a2 na4 Very truly, ''''N
TABIrHA HARRIS.
The hot, indignant blood rushed into
my checks, as handed the letter back
but, to save my life, l could not etter
one word.
That's pretty plain talk taiiiii iii hs comrhep-
ted. but according to the writer's
standard, I'm no geutleman,fo I haven't
the slightest idea of performing her be.
hest"
I listened, wonderingly, as he contin-
ued but before we separated, | was his
promised wife.
"Now," said he, at parting, "dont /
worry about aunt Tahitha. I'll win her
consent, never fear You know, Ais
fair in love and war. y"
That evening, to Aunt Tabitlia's great
horror, the nluzzles from his dogs we're
removed For three days she remained
indoors; but early one morning, both
quadrupeds being unseen, she conceived
the brilliant idea of walking before
breakfast. | vas on the alert. Mol
sooner was she outside our gate, than
her terrible opponents appeared, bark
ing and springing, as though prepared
far the direst kind of war, their howls
mingling unmasically with her pitsous
shrieks
Mr.. Harding was soon on the battle
feld-so was but, contrary to her ez-
pectations, neither interfered. After no.
ting her terror for q moment, he stilled
the animals, without, however, calling
them Off, and said, calmly, to MY trem-
bling relative:
Miss Tabitha would you like me to
dispose Of these annoyances ?"
"Ot course, l should" she answered
fercely, attempting to edge of; but
growing deeply, the dogs gathered
nearer, and with a groan, she ceased.
Its no use, Miss Tabitha. They
won't leave until l bid them. Now, ifI
you allow me to marry Mary, will give
them to my brother in the city; if not,
they shall remain here the year round,
unmuzzled What say you? 3lay
have her ~
Never she answered, plnckily, her
courage somewhat restored by the mo
mcntary cessation Of hostilities
Very WELL" said he, calmly walking
or
The dogs again began their frantic
howls and jumps; sut not again did we
run to her assistance.
At last, in desperation, she yelled for
him to return.
Take these brutes of, and you can
have anything" i
Frank whistled composedly; the
''5rutes" ces5ed tlis'r perambulatlons and
walked away, while with a cool ''thank
you," MY lover followed to lock them
up.
We were shortly after married; but
aunt Tabitha has Iercr yet hecome fully
reconciled to the way in which her con-
sent was brought about.
Cosnnfirytrnis.