The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-11-07
Courting Under Difficulties
Katie Blake was the only daughter
Of Jacob Blake, the old miser of West

otgJacoD BiaKe, the OLD masef f0i w est
Brook. a-s-ss f.,..f4-..- ,....-.,rs.f
She was more than nncommonly
pretty, aud her frank, enga ging man
ners enhanced the charms. Of golden
hair, peariy teeth, and eyes like the
blue skies of summer. Ather father
death she would become he.ress TO the
nice little sum of seventy thousand
dollars, and though men generally
pretend not to be influenced by PEI
cuniary matters IN love affairs, it is to
be reasonably supposed that this
prospective wealth by no means les
sened the number of her admirers.
Among those most ardenf,i and per-
haps most sincere was Will Dart
mouth, with heart larger than his
purse, and very little thought or care
foriconseqnenees. ofA4 "is A't
Fortunately, old Jacob never sus-
pected the partiality of his daughter
Tor Will; he would have put her on
bread and water before he would have
consented to the slightest degree OF
intimacy with Will Dartmouth. s@a
Jacob Blake was not in favor of
marriage. Those who knew. his Cir
cumstances were not surprised at this.
for, to use a phrase more expressive
than elegant, Mrs. Blake was aregu-
lar Tartar, with temper enough for
two Tartars. & ft....,.. =,
Old Jacob had to &c walk Spanish"
for the most part, or take the conse-
quences, which usually descended OH
his head in the shape of any domestic
utensil which happened to be lying
around handy. +.,..s.-.
A maiden sister of Mr.. Blake re-
sided in the family, whose principal
business seemed to be to act as a sorii
of echo to her brother and his wife.
Whatever they thought she thought
too.
She regarded it as primary sin for
Katie to associate with the young
men, and this doctrine was perseyer-
ingly drilled into her neice, who,
though she never dissented, had her
own ideas on the subject.
One day Mr.. Blake and his wife
went to Dedham to attend fair, and
Miss Peggy being at friends, Katie
was left alone. Will Dartmouth i'll
some way learned the condition of af-
fairs, and early in the afternoon he
came over to keep Katie company. 5
AS her parents were not expected
home until the next day, and Peggy
not until late in the evening, Will felt
perfectly secure in stopping awhile
after supper; and he and Katie were
having jolly time popping corn in
the old-fashioned flying pan, over
wood fire, when there was sound of
voices at the door.
Good gracious 70 cried Katie, turn
ing white with alarm, g that is Aunt
Peggy. Oh, Will, what shall we do?
She will scold me to death, and father
will be fnrious-get under the lounge
quicki Oh, Will, do for my sake !"
Will could not Withstand the plead
ing look of Katie's eyes, and he de-
posted himself IN the designated
spot.9aai9 ae} - naSiJL9 I.y~aA
Katie put out the light and darting
into an adjoining bedroom in mo-
ment was apparently fast asleep. cf1.
Peggy's voice was heard speaking
softly in the entry IT,: lga5ti IsIastsssflt
g Be careful, Mr.. Pike There's a
loose board there. Il don't want to
disturb my niece. Softly, now-it,
may creak K s.1oEz sU{sIf1c s4Gsszifl
Peggy, dear, where are you ?" re-
sponded the squealing voice of Esq.
Pike, the widower of q year.
can't tell which way you have gone !"
"There Daniel, be easy. Good
Heavensl Daniel Pike. Well never"
and a report burst on the air like un-
corking a champagne bottle. = ~, -.
sOh, my !" cried Aunt Peggy, "what
would brother Jacob say? declare, l
hain't been kissed by a man since,
!" Let Jake mind his own business ~
retorted the squire. 7 on and can
take care of ourselves without his
help" and then followed a report
something similar to the first, only
more quiet. s5,@ II. T.
"Do be quiet, Daniel, and lets get
a light. Set down there afore the fire
and make yourself to home"
A light was soon procured, Peggy
Invested herself of her wrappings and
blushing like a girl in her teens sat
down opposite the squire.
Z" It's fine evening, said Peggy, by
the way of opening the conversation.
"Very," replied the squire, drawing
his chair little nearer to hers. and
laying his arm oyer the back.
"Oh, good gracious! Daniel, don't
set so nigh me. THAT is, I don't
consider it strictly proper. Mercy!
what was that?"
Both listened attentively.
'f 1t was the wind rattling the win
dow, guess" said the squire. '.Don't
you go to getting narvous, Peggy"
Il thought it was Katie waking up.
If she should, l would never hear the
last of it."
"Hark there is a noise"
"Gracious earth! it's bells. It's
Jake and marin coming back! What
shall do? Oh, Squire, tain't right
for US 10 be nothin' to 'tother. What
shall / do? 2"
"Tell me where to go, Peggy! Say
the word, and I'll go anywhere for
your sake, if it's up the chimney"
"Under the lounge. Quick! It's
wide and will hold you well enough.
Don't delay a minute!"
The Squire obeyed, but the space
was already so well filled that it was
with difficulty he could squeeze him
self into so small a compass. And
just as he had succeeded, Mr.. Blake
and his wife entered the room, fioun-
dering along in the dark, for Peggy
had deemed it best to extinguish the
light.
Jake made for the fire, which still
glowed red with Goals, stumbled over
a cricket and fell headlong against
Peggy, who was standing bolt upright
trying to collect her scattered senses.
The Deuce" cried Jake. Look
out, old woman, or you'll be down
over me. It's dark as pocket here,
and I've fell over the rocking chair, or
the churn. can't tell which. Hullo!
what's that ?" reaching out his hand to
feel the situation, and coming in con-
tact with the bearded face of Squire
Pike.
"By George it's got whiskers Peg,