The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1870-11-23
d9t nlantets' &al1!l&r
familn Rra0ine ano Nrws ltems
TWICE WOOED.
From the Peoples Literary Conpanion

! From the Peoples Literary Companion
Pooh pooh! Phil Norton: sincere
hope you are not determined to be an @
bachelor7'
And Fred Lacy plucked the stamp of
! cigar. and looked at me half reproachfull
half inquringly.
"Ihen, nv boy, it is my painful duty
inform you that you have hoped in vain,'
retorted almost tartly.
And turned to the window of the raj
way carriage. in which we were travellin.
TO conceal what my face would have otnel
wise betrayed.
We were fellow students in the Templ,
Fred aud l, just freed from the confinemeu
we had endured so long; and I. at his urper
request. was accompanying him home +
spend the holidays in the beautiful littl
dav Eefare Christmas That ev5Hhy vss Yau4a n
Lacy was to give grand ball, or soiree, i
honor OF his sons return. and |. though al
ways far more willing to shun than to couv
the society of ladies', after much urging
had consented to take one of the brillian
throDg that was expect to crowded the room
of the wealthy old Squire.
Besides. Fred was to be married on Ne,
Years Day; and. as was bis old chum an
most intimate friend, he chose me in pre- fer
ence to all others to be. his chief cyooms
man.
And it was his contemplated marriag
that caused the remarks with which | hav,
CHOSEN to commence my story. He hat
asked me if had not ye, thought of taking
unto myself wife. and l had very enuhat
ically Informed him that it was my intention
to adhere To celibacy throughout the entire
course of my existence. should live IA hun
dred years. And | really meant it at tEt
time l said it.
''You havc never loved. Phil" said he
laying his hard on my shoulder.
Have not - growled, stil looking
out through the window at tho snow clad
fields and leafless trees.
''What. do you mean TO say, Phil Morton,
that you, who have always. since the time
l become acquainted with yo1. appeared to
have an aversion rather than penchant for
the society of the other sex-do YOU mean
to sny that you
. Il haven't said any such thing / inter
posed.
''But one would infer -
''Infer anything :" said l. stamping INV
foot impatiently. For Heavens sake,
Fred, let US drop this subject and talk of
more sensible
What is more sensible than marriage %
"Bosh you are love sick. old fellow"
IF you mean by that. Phil, that l have
experienced the power of Cupid. you are
light; cad in one short week, l hope TO make
he lovely object af my affections the wife
f my bosom. But even before that mis-
hievous arehin had done the work. never
ad thought of tramping the stage of life
n single 'cursedness.' You NAV call me
Morton. or whatever you like,
ut. honestly, | never hear man say he
as no intention of ever marrying, but I
hink him either liar or very foolish"
THANK you for tha compliment" l re-
lied dryly.
"Now don't talk that way. Phil; for you
now l would not ruffle that temper of yours
Or anything. think l fully understand
hat am talking about; aud if you please,
If, VIII wager fine new hat that YOU are
narrsed before you are thirty years DID,"
II will accept the wager Just to please
ou." 4 said. and Wa struck our palms to
ether to make it good. IF am a single
hansen my thirtiesL birthday, you are to
i've me fine new hat; if previous to that
Ime find myself in the meshes of niatri-
,ony-vice versa :.
''Correct.r rejoined Fred, with touch of
a
And fsrned again to the window with a
oppressed sigh. thinking i: quite evident
hat Fred had no suspicion Of the real cause
my resolve never to link my life with
hat ofsany woman. He didn't suppose that
here was time when was as ardent as be
! my admiration Of female loveliness. And
18th these thoughts came vivid recollections
{ that time long ago. when lost my Young
cart, aud had been made wreiched.
l remembered the proud steamer Victory.
nd the pleasont hours spent upon her
eek as she ploughed the broad Atlantic.
remembered. too. the little golden haired
reature first saw there, and how was af- |
'otsd by her beauty. her innocence. her !
narming rairete, and her sweetness Of dis.
Dsition. | was only seventeen then, and
he fifteen; bu; for all that. we took a fancy
each other. become strongly attached,
I'd in a very short time. was hopelessly
love f
1t is said that young love is delusion,
I'd is soon over. Such may generally BE-
usuch vrsfri saa l.sssseess~s,,p ~. ia thiS.. tlsy
ting passion. as when / first felt the de-
.htful sensation. in the seventeenth wear
my age.
Ani nov. as sat with my chum beside
, in the train. l recalled to memory those
Dny days of my boyhood's love, and
shed thot they could return. / could not
event a secret wish too, that my spirit had
wu when LiIian's did, tnat might sleep
nceably beside her. far away down in her
Aory grave: and dropped tear then, and
udercd If could ever be so fond of an
Ter as had been of Lillian. No. /.
old wait until deuih should unite me to {
golden haired iosi one !.
A cold trcmor crept through my frame MS
memory ut that never, De forgotten +,
ut. when the i'll fated steamer succumbed
the witkering breath IF the fire king. g
he'd over my mind. 1t was an awful sight: {
idren screaming. women wringing their
lds in mental sgony, while passengers. =,
lors, and everybody On board were cry '
aloud TO Heaven fer mercy. and yet the =
y elements rushed ON and wrapped the n
'med vessel in~a sheet of flame. Poor
ls Lillian. unable to find her father, came =
ne tor protection. In endeavorinc. to -
n her fears forgot my own; and l eau y
er forget that beautiful face us size lifted q
trustfnlly to mine. lighted by the raging u !,
in the background. Twas then and 81
re told her. loved her, and nesting her !.
y. head on my bosom. burst into tears. -
told me that which caused me to clasp -
in my arms aud press her rose bud lips. y
md even while death was staring US in -
face. felt a momentary thrill of Joy.
stood closely together. awaiting the fr
'dfoi crisis: saying We would die togeth- 70
and yet. when We sprung overheard in u
|" tl'ers s arms. somehow We became sep
ed, and she was gone! Never afterwards IN
lpermitted to see that dear creature Il