The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-07-13
DAVE PEARSON'S COURTSHIP.

never call me wife,
And as these words were uttered,
Dave Pearson gave vent to little
chuckle, took huge quid from a capa-
cious box, and gazed thoughtfully from
his cottage-window upon the craft that
were floating past upon the Metetecunk
river.
l, the writer of this sketch, was spend
ing a few weeks in New Jersey, Wild
fowl shooting along the shores of Squan,
Barnegat, and in and about Little Egg
Harbor Bay.
Dave Pearson had been my mentor
and boatman. On our return one even
ing from long and unusually success
full days sport, which had put Dave in
an unconsciously good humor, he related
to me the following story of his court
ship; how he came to do so was i'll this
wise:
We had had our supper, and, with
"jest drop of so'thing to keep out the
cold" we sat down to spend the evening,
1 with my pipe, and Dave with his in
evitable tobacco-box, as he never, under
any circumstances, used the "divine
weed" as somebody calls it, in any other
shape than chew. Just as his wife was
leaving the room with the remains of
our meal, and to wash the dishes in the
kitchen, I-being an honored guest, l
was assigned the parlor-cssuslly re-
marked, "That's hard-working wife
of yours, Dave"
"Yes," said Dave, gravely stroking
his chin, with a gratified smile upon his
honest countenance "and jest as good
as she is hard-working. Do you know l
came near not marrying my wife once y
"You don't tell me! How was that,
Dave?"
"Well, as you're a pretty good sort of
fellow, and as the old woman won't get
through her fixing-up for some time, l
don't mind telling you; but be careful
never to mention word to her, as she
kind O. dislikes to hear about it."
Ireadily gave the promise, and Dave.
again having resort to his box, placed
both arms upon the table, and commen-
ced:
when was young fellow-it was
along among the '40's, then-I did what
most young fellows dol fell in love.
And, of course, like all young fellows
in the same condition, at one time was
as happy as they say a clam is at high
water, and at another, as miserable as a
sick rooster on a wet day.
"But that's neither here nor there
the gal was in love with was named
Esther Hettrick. That's her" and Dave
ierked his head in the direction of the
kitchen.
nodded understandingly.
"Well, you see, was mighty poor in
those days, that is, was nothing but q
hired hand but if was mighty poor
I was working mighty hard, and saving
every penny could earn, 80 as to bt
able to buy boat of my own, and fur
nish little cabin on shore, in order tG
make myself master of the one, and te
make Esther tie mistress of the other
"And you succeeded, I have nc
doubt ?" said.
"Hold on, boss-not so fast If I'm
telling this story, have to tell it in my
own way"
mumbled something about sorrow
and Dave continued:
"Old Obadiah Hettrick-he wa;
Esther's father--was pretty cute chap
for fishsrmsr ; had boat of his own
snug farm, besides a comfortable sum
in the bank. Lor' bless you never
dreamed of owning as much as old Obey
did; but tell you, sir, Time makes q
great many changes"
Dave, as he said this, glanced CON-
placently round the ROOM"
Now, Obadiah was not bad sort O
fellow; one of the easy-going sort O
folks, you know but his wife, Abigail
she was stingerw
"Ruled the roost, eh z"
Dave gave me wink that expressed
volumes, and resumed:
"She was down on me, she was
could never abide me near the house
and do verify believe she thought m,
one of the wickedest chaps in ali Ocea1
county. But didn't mind that much
for Esther had told me, over and owe
again, that she loved me, and the OLE
man, Obadiah, had said, well, Dave
when you've got boat of your own
and want to take my gal, shall sa.
marry a word against it.
"Then all things. so far, were salts
factory"
"Yes, SO far. But there was on
thing that was anything but satisfae
tory, and that was in the shape OF All
ner Sanford. Not that Abner was
bad sort of a chap; for I half believe
then, and know now, that he was
good, strong, generous-hearted fellow