Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-07-22
Selett Storp.
Mr.. CANTELOPE'S COURTSHIP,

was puzzling my brain over an ex-
ample in decimal fractions, and had jus,
made up my mind that was the family
Ounce and never should DC able to engin-
eer those stupid points in their right place
when heard sleigh-bells. rs such mu-
sic did not penetrate our lonely abode
very often, YOU may be sure was an APP
preciative listener, notwithstanding the
fact tina, had stayed from school on ac-
count of the storm, aud had promised TO
study every minute just rs if | was in my
high wooden desk under my teachers
frown.
WHO can that be-" exclaimed my
Aunt Deborah. as an old-ia>hioned one
horse cutter few past the windows and
stopped AT the side door. | jumped up
to get view. and my slate and book
went TO the floor with crash. pressed
my nose against the frosty pane of glass
in pursuit of useful Information, and ii ad-
hered so fondly that when drew 1t back
It was with an echo something like kiss.
In swift trip 10 the next window | col
hded with the work-stand, and scattered
over the white pine floor all the spools.
buttons, becswax and scissors of Mrs
Cricton, the seamsuess. saw nothing
but two oyercoated men, covered with
snow, after my trouble.
''Pick up those things quick" oxclaim.
ed Aunt Deborah. rs she hustled about 10
get the chairs back against the wall.
EI was scrambling about on my knees in
dutiful obedience, when the door opened
and Capt. Hughes, one of our neighbors,
walked into the room with an at home
air, followed by brisk, wiry, waspish
looking old gentleman, with 4 iretful
nose. and domineering chin, to say
nothing of cheeks scorched Into du sky
red by two fiery red eyes.
ALLOW me- said the polite captain,
who prided himself on bearing striking
resemblance to Lord Chesterfield. ''to in.
troducc TO your favorable acquaintance
Mr.. Simon Cantelope. Mrs. Crict On, Mr..
Cantelope; Mrs. Trinidad. Mr. Canto-
lope; Miss Pecksnitf, Mr.. Cantelope;
Miss Rebecca Trinidad, Mr.. Cantelope. :"
1t is said that Caius Gracious, when he
harangued the Romans, always modulat-
ed his tone by an oratorical flute or pitch
pipe. Mr. Cantelope not having such
IN instrument at hand. avMled him.
self Of the musical organ which ma
ture had planted in ths middle of his
face. and then made series of short,
sharp, Jerking bows, aimed promiscuous-
Is at all the ladies' present. Ny Aunt
Deborah was country born and bred, but
she had 4 queenly sort of way with her,
and | particularly admired the manner
which she on this occasion assumed, as
she relieved two or three chairs in the
back ground from their strait laced posi-
ton. and asked her guests to be seated.
1--WE are having quite severe snow
storm" remarked Capt. Hughes as he
shook the waller from his hat
"Quite so" responded my aunt, land
the weather is growing cold fast"
She arose and put on an extra stick of
wood, and the flames blazed round it with
a merry crackle.
Mr.. Cantelope removed the striped nit
tens and unbuttoned his oyercoat in the
vicinity of his throat. His eyes bobbed
about uneasily from one to another, and
al last rested upon Mrs. Crctou, who,
STOPPING over her work, was paying very
little attention to new comers.
..Is Mr.. Trinidad at home ?" inquired
Capt. Hughes.
NO, he is at the Falls to-day. ex-
pect him home in the course Of the after
noon.n
This is very cheerful. exceedingly
cheerful, remarkably cheerful, continued
the captain, as he shook his feet out of
the little pools of water that were set
tling around them, and posted them on the
andiron; then casting sly look at Mr..
Cantelope. he said, "our errand here is
rather an uncommon one, and | suppose
| may as we'll explain at once. We come
a courting, this gentleman and l, that is,
and he laughed little, and looked wise,
Il met him down in the village, this
morning, and getting intoJa talk abont q