The Portland daily press., 1870-02-12
Selected Story.
The Oantelope's Jourtship.

The OantelOp6's Jourtship.
l was puzzling ny brain over an example in
decimal fractions, and had just made up nv
mind that l was the family Ounce and never
should be able to engineer those stupid points
10 o their right place, when 7 heard sleigh
peis. As such music did not penetrate our
lonely abode very often, you may be sure |
vas an appreciative listener, Notwithstanding
the fact that had stayed from school on ac-
count Of the storm, and had promised to study
every minute just as ii | was in my high WOO
den desk under my teachers rown.
Who can that be-? exclaimed my Aunt
Deborah, as an old-fashoned one horse cut
ter flew past the window and stopped at the
side door. dumped up to get view, and my
slate and book went TO the floor with a crash
pressed my nose against the frosty pane OF
glass in pursuit OF useful information, and it
adhered so toDdly that when drew it back it
was with an echo something like kiss. In a
swift trip to the next window l collided with
the work-stand, and scattered over the white
pine floor all the spOols, buttons, beeswax aud
scissors OF Mrs. Cncton, the sealnstress. 1 saw
nothing but two overcoated men, covered with
snow, after all my Trouble.
Pick up those things quick exclaimed
Aunt Deborah, as she BUSTED about TO get
the chairs set back against the wall.
L was scrambling about on my knees in du-
tliul obedience, when the door opened, and
Capt. Hughes, one Of our netghbors, walked
into the room with an .: at home" air, follow
ed by brisk, Wiry, Waspish looking old gem
tIeman, with ffetiul nose, and a domineeripo
chin, to say nothing OF cheeks sLhorched into
dusky red by two fiery red eyes.
" Allow me" said the polite captain, who
prided himself on bearing striking resem-
bance to Lord Chesterfield, to introduce to
your favorable acquaintance Mr.. Simeon Can
telope. Mrs. Cncton, Mr. Canteope; Mrs.
Trinidad, Mr.. Cantelope; Miss Picksniif. Mr..
Canteope; Miss Rebecca Trinidad, Mr.. Can
telope."
1t is said that Caius Gracious, when he bar
angued the Romans, always modulated his
tone by an oratOrical flute or pitchDipe Mr..
Cantelope not having such an instrument at
hand, awaited himself OF the musical organ
which nature had planted in the middle of his
face, and then made a series Of short. sharp.
Jerking, bows, aimed promiscuously at all the
ladies' present. My Aunt Deborah was coun-
Try born and bred, but she had a queenly sort
OF way with her, and L particularly admired
the manner which she on this occasion assum-
ed, as she relieved two or three chairs ip the |
background from their painfully straight-laced |
position, and asked her guests 10 be seated
1--WE are having quite a severe snow-storm," |
remarked Capt. Hughes, as he shook the wa |
ter fIom his hat.
quite so" responded my aunt, and the |
weather is growing cold fast"
She arose and put on an extra stick Of wood |
and the flames blazed round it with o merry
crackle.
Mr.. Cantelope removed the striped mittens
and unbuttoned his overcoat in the vicinity
OF his throat His eyes bobbed about uneasi-
~ from one to another, and at last rested up
on Mrs. Crcton. who, STOPPING over her WORK.
was paying very little attention to new COM
erS.
rs Mr.. Trinidad at home?" inquired Capt. |
Hughes.
mo, he is at the Falls to-day. | expecl |
MN home IN the course of the afternoon"
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 settling around them and |
rested them on the andir0n; then casting
sly look at Mr. Canteope, he said, sour er-
rand here IS rather an uncommon one, and
suppose may as well explain at once. We
are counting, this gentleman and |, that is"
and he laughed . little, and looked wise, Il
met him down in the village, this morning,
and getting into talk about horse was
trying TO sell, learned that he was in pur-
suit OF wife. L spoke OF Mrs Cricton, and
he requested me to come up and introduce
him. So we are here, as you see"
Our poor seamstress, u pale, thin, melan- |
ly, but stitched on as if nothing had happen
ell. chen we will withdraw from the room
and give an opportunity Tor cor versation :" said |
Aunt Deborah. rising and leading the wav to
the kitchen, followed by the captain, Miss
Pecksnitf and myself
looked back, just as was crossing the
threshold, and in the simplicity of nv heart |
wondered what was the first preliminary
flourish when man was about to pop the
question. My curiosity was immediately
grdtitied, for Mr.. Cantelope produced a ban
dana pocket handkerchief and prefaced his |
program by sonorous blast from his nose,
which nearly sent the landscape paper flying
from the walls.
AS we stood shiyering over the stove in
which the fire had nearly gone out, Aunt
Deborah made some inquiries OF the cantain
respecting Mr. Canteope. He knew very
little OF hun, had seen him ten years ago in
passing through Norton, a small town on the
mountain some twenty miles off. Guessed |
ne vas good sort Of a man. In general, |
liked the principle of doing these hard work
ing people Kindness when it came in his |
way. Mrs Cricton, poor soul, had had |
tough time of it since she lost her husband |
and children. He was sorry for her. She
would have him to thank for this piece of
good fortune.
sit is my opinion that she is enough sight
better off as she is, than to be tying herself to
any such green-eyed man as that are one in
there" spoke up Miss Pecksnif. She was
my aunts houSekeeper and general actotum,
and had occupied the same position for over
forty years. She had grown important lat
terly, and held herself in high esteem among
women, on account Of her superior wisdom
in all things relating to the Trinidad family.
We were all surprised to see Mr.. Cantelope
before US
Il m through" he said, with little chuclle |
atn much obliged for your Kindness Yol |
can come back into the sitting room now
what is the news?' asked the CAPTAIN |
quickly.
"Oh, She's mittened me, hel he! he! DON'T
want to marry. Think she's satisfied with |
her present condition. That is what they all |
say. L have asked a dozen or more. Don't |
any of them know what is tor their GOOD"
"You don't tell mew exclaimed Captain
Hughes, with undisggised establishments
''ohe doesn't mean it, though. Women never
say yes at first. You mustn't think of Civ |
ing it up so. Court her for a While longer,
and then ask her again. That's my advice"
ITS q terrible storm" said the old man,
ooking from the window into the white moth
naness without Then, after a moments |
hesitation, he added, Ill these good people
would only let me stay all night think l
could manage to drive my new yoke OF oxen
anead of me tomorrow, and break the roads.
- ~0e'NL StL tHIOuSH me uIllLS dG dl now. |
y GU are quite welcome, sir" responded my
aunt You will find q place in the barn, I |
care say, lor your horse. Our men folks are | /
away SO you must wait upon yourself" '
Captain Hughes poAafcd bis assistance be- :
ore going home, and the two men went to
1xtend the Inequalities of the stable to the
oatient but hali-trozen animal. While they
were thus employed, Dick came home from
school, and was not slow in giving him an
account Of the romantic little episode.
snch wish wish you would stop yeur Cabling about
snarlin @i9 Ta; said Miss Pecksnit, in her
ont of 0ne e0, os as teelered all her intending
stepped on it while fhs sasnns Ghars and Dick
g.. on may be sure that n,a up MS cap.
disguise" responded Dick, ~ a Is blessing in
his choice" only wonder at |
"Rebecca Trinidad, 20 into the o,,,,.
and stay there" 0'her room "
1t was an order not 10 be disobeved o q
matter by what Whit of fortune Miss Pol no RI
sniff had been blown into The seat of cover
nent, she was undoubtedly there. So / went
That is what / get for being
small in stature. She voulo not dare to sneaI
10 me in that way il ] was as tall as Aunt
Deborah. [ ara fifteen. There is Dick oGIy
.hree years older and great deal more impu-
/ Il 70 |