Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-08-06
AN UNLUCKY n BATH.
How n Louisiana Match was BrOk en-
OFF.

From the Baton Rouge CometIE'
In certain neighborhood of our par
ish there resides an intelligent young
gentleman of prepossessing appearance
and agreeable manners, who not many
months ago became smitten by the
charms of blooming daughter of a near
neighbor, a well-to-do farmer, and after
several weeks of unremitting attention,
succeeded in touching responsive cord
in the susceptible heart of the fair dam
sci, and gained her blushing consent to
become bis wife. So far, so good; and
had it not been for an unfortunate Incl
dent that
"Rudely snapped the cord in twain 1
{ 4. That bound their hearts together,'
that same might have been said of them
that has been said of thousands of other
foolish boys and girls, namely they met,
courted, and were married. But an ad-
verse fate had otherwise ordered, and our
hero was destined only too soon to have
his cup of bliss changed into the bitter
ness of gall and wormwood.. As soon as
their engagement had received the sane
J ton of the old folks, preparations were
nuptial ceremonies and the festivities
attendant thereupon conducted in style
in keeping with their elevated positions
in society Time passed on apace with
the happy pair, and the eventful morn
that was to witness the happy consum-
nation of their fondest hopes drew nigh,
when. alas the unfortunate incident oc-
CURED that put an end to their pleasant
dreams and delightful anticipations.
One afternoon, only few days before
| the auspicious hour, our young friend
concluded that he would enjoy a refresh
ing bath in creek that ran within a
short distance Of his home Acting upon
the thought, he wended his way to where
a large magnolia stood near the bank of
| tie pellucid stream, and divesting him
self of his clothing, was soon disporting
in the limpid waters. Suddenly sound
broke upon his ear. Hark, twas the
ripple, not of the water, but of silvery
laugh, and peering cautiously above the
bank, what was his horror to see his fair
inamorata, accompanied by a female
| friend, not more than one hundred yards
distant, and slowly approaching the spot
| where he stood in all his loveliness re-
vealed." Here was a predicameRt in
/ deedi~ If heremained where he was the
ladies would be cure to see him, and if he
sought safety in flight it vas equally i'm
possible for him to escape detection.
What shouldhe do? Ali happy thought !
there was tree, and if he could only
manage to climb that unobserved he
| might seorete himselfamong the branches
and the thick moss and leaves a
with friendly guise =.
Would hide his form from prying eyes.
No sooner said than done, and being
careful to keep the body of the tree be-
tween himself and the girls, our young
friend. in less time than it takes to write
it, was. snugly slowed away in the top OF
the tree, and waiting very impatiently for
the young ladies to go by. Unfortunately,
however, in the hurry and excitement OF
the moment, he forgothis clothes, which,
| living on the bank, attracted the atten
ton of the girls, and, with the proverbial
curiosity Of their sex, they must come
nearer to SOC if they couldn unrayel the
seeming mystery. Approaching the foot
of the tree they soon discovered what the
mysterious bapdle was, and became lost
in conjecture az to how man clothing
without the man should happen to be IN
that seauestered spot They gave free
play to their imaginations and their
tongues. and not few were the jokes and
laughs 10 which they INDUCED while sub
] hitting the garmsnls ta 4 critical ex-
animation. AatteTs, hoSeYeT qlf hii
| look so funny to ddf = man ~ the
tree" and fearful of being discovered, &c
resolved 10 change his base and secure
| better position. IN doing this DO lnad-
lVettabtly threw bis whole weight on a
hdead ,.,ab. and In tbs twinkling Of an
eve he came, dcgn with a laundering
crash and lay sprawling Oh his back be-
tween the startled girls. There were
two piercing shrieks, a smothered oath,
and hastily picking himself up the poor
fellow fed with all possible speed in one
direction, while the young ladies were
equally as nimble in getting away from
40 dreadful adght in another. Return
ing after the coast was clear, our hero
resumed his clothing and straightvay
went to his home, where shortly after
note was handed him from his nance,
declaring their engagement 10 be az an
end. II any Of our readers are sporting
for fight, they can easily. be accommo-
dated IN asking that young gentleman
/ =. -, -, tl,sr,tr a' ..I 't