The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-07-29

She got an awful lot of magnetism about
her, l tell you; nv arm and hand thrill now
when think Of that first hand-clasp We
hadn't chair in the cabin, but we gave her
our best three-leeged STOOL She took off her
jaupty hat and sack, and elch one spIang to
take them. She didn't seem to notice us, but
left them lying in her lap. She told us that
she had some baggage little way from our
house; she had lett it there so as TO walk in
upon Will mannounced, and instead OF find
ing her dear old Will, she had stumbled upon
such a lot oil friends.
Can you give me something real good to
eat?" aud she glanced at the table with its
dirty dishes and the scanty remains of our
supper.
That table was cleared off in jfiy; plate
was washed and a can of chicken opened.
Aunt Betty made cup of tea, and another
stirred up some fap-jacks, and another OF us
thought TO scour knife and fork by running
them into the ground several times. On,
they were lively times for few minutes,
you'd better believe. Only the Judge-he
never moved, but looked at her. She did not
seem to notice him, but watched our opera
tons with great interest.
While she ate-and the quaintness OF our
surroundings did not affect her appetite-we
all stood around and waited upon her. 1
guess never day while she lived with us, but
what she laughed about her first meal there.
We partitioned her off bedroom in one
corner by putting up some blankets, and all
but the Judge and Aunt Betty went into the
storehouse to sleep.
You'd think that when we got there we
should be likely to talk over the wonderful
event, but we didn't; not a word was spoken
concerning it. Bnt / reckon there was con-
siderable thinking done that night.
By light we were all up and pacing in front
of the cabin. The teamster had given notice
OF the charge he had left with us, and all the
other boys were over there to learn how
things were. There wasn't stroke of work
done in the camp that day, and not much for
week. -. 0f.I
Then the judge called us together, and told
us it wouldn't do; we were getting demoral-
lied; that Miss Browning was unhappy be-
cause she felt she had Interrupted our al
rangements, and we must come right down to
steady days work after that. Well, we tried
to, but we never could get back to old times.
There was good deal Of rivalry among US,
and some cutting things were said. The
judge sent letters in all directions for Will, but
three weeks had passed without word in re-
ply. We had all in turn offered to accompany
Miss Browning to San Francisco, but she said
she knew no one there; Will would be sure 10
come before long, and would be disappointed
if she should leave; besides, hadn't she eight
of the very best brothers in the world? She
would stay awhile longer, and she would help
cook and mend for us, so as not to burden us
too much. She had a few new books
which she had bought for Will, and she
would read to us evenings. We came up an
hour earlier than usual and our table was al
ways ready for us, AID it had many an extra
touch that none but woman would think of.
We were silent set of meE during the day,
but each did his best when we got home
toll md INIT h
her reading we were all entranced. She al
ways called us by the names which were first
given her, and ever so many times she went
through the introduction, acting out all the
parts. 1t seemed funnier to her than it did
to us. She talked to South Carolina about
the beauties of the southern sky, and of the
flowers and trees, which eclipsed anything at
the North. To Nutmeg she praised New
England, and she had some favOrite topic to
discuss with each of us.
OF course we were all in love with her, but
none dared to boast of having received any
sign OF preference from the lady. We had all
proposed to her oace, and some of us half a
dozen times. She just made light of it; said
we were crazy and didn't know what we were
about; but she came to kl.Ow after awhile that
we did. There was open war. We all acted
like madmen, except the judge, he would not
answer any of our taunts, but was most pleas
alt W dlls Ct lie grew W IOOk real cdT6-WOTQ
and every time he met any of us alone he
would say he hoped Will would come soon.-
He talked to us about keeping the peace, and
appealed to our honor as men and our love
for our old comrade. Kate herself had quite
little talk with each one. l don't know how
she managed it, but she left the impression
upon us all that we were most likely to be ac-
copied ii we behaved ourselves and kept quiz
ct; but twas no COVE could not. .
One evening she refused to sit down with us
to the table, and SO little was eaten. She walk
ed up and down the room, and t1en said, en-
phatcally, Il am going off, don't know
where; but must go away; this is getting
unbearable. l cannot meet one of you but l
am importuned to marry you. Don't you
know, gentlemen, l cannot marry you all, and
if l choose to show one bit of pleasure in the
society OF any one, the rest are all angry
Now l ask you what shall l do? Will doesn't
come, and am all alone. wish you would
drop all this nonsense and behave yourselves.
Why won't your" +
She looked from one to another, and finally
asked Jack, "Come, you own to being wicked
and you have been an awful tease; won't yon
reform, and then all the rest will?"
Aunt Betty said: eff you care for any oil
us, make it known, and then the rest shall
behave, or-there will be row."
z"That's Just it-you will fight any way; You
are getting too savage. In being lovers L am
afraid you have forgotten to be gentlemen"
Wasn't that singer for us? But we did
not feel it then as we have since. We all
promised not to say word after her decision
was made known to US. Each one may have
been elated thinking he was likely to be chos-
en-.
She sat down and put her face on her arm,
but it was only for a moment. Then she
said, II shall ask for two days to think of it.
Next Sunday there will be a wedding here,
and supper afterward, which we will help
to prepare. If any one speaks 10 me on the
subject between this time and that, his doom
is sealed" .....-
There was an oldish man over at the next
cabin, who seemed to have fatherly care
over Kate. And 1 might as well say here,
that all of the thirty who were unmarried,
had offered themselves to her and been re-
fused.
Well, Kate and old man Howe had long
talk together, and then he went off and did
not get back till Sunday, and he brought a
minister with him. There was some kind of
service in the afternoon out under the trees,
but none of us paid much attention. Our
eyes were all for Kate, and she was CRYING
softly all the time When it was over, she
took the preachers arm and talked with him
some time. Then she went into our cabin
and we all followed. Mean, wasn't it? But
we did not see it in that light then.
The man took Bible from his pocket, and
said: 'This lady informs me that you have
promised to abide quietly by her decision, and
dwell in peace and harmony together. For
her sake you will not object to come here one
by one, and take an oath which shall die
tate. 1t is that you reiterate your promise
with your hand on this sacred book"
We advanced and received it as solemnly
as though it was to be the last of our lives
Then he told us that Miss Browning was yery
much attached to us all, but of course could
not marry but one, and we must bear our dis
appointment like men.
She went and stood beside him. thought
she would faint, but she did not. We all
arose when the minister said, "Let us pray,"
When he was part through, the Judge
sat down, completely overcome by his feel
lngs. am free to say that this was the long
est prayer l ever heard. If the minister had
been suspended between heaven and the 9TH
er place, as we were, he would have made
fewer words, am sure.
When it was all over he said-"I am here
to solemnize marriage between Catherine
r. Browning The must have felt an inward
chuckle over the torture which he was
infiicting, for he paused, well, maybe
only minuts, but it seemed an hour), and
James A. Woodruff. IT any of you know
cause or just impeachment why these two Der.
sons should not be Joined in holy matrimony
you are to declare it now, or else forever hold
your peace"
y i'm had not stirred a step. The minister
took his hand and placed him beside the
pride. He walked up, then, and guess the
look he gave her satisfied her, for her face
cleared up like summer sky after a rain.
i ne brief service was soon over that mada