Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-04-15
nj S c Ell / A he O US,
A KISS LIN TIE DARK.

"&HsAILL you be at home tonight, Annie 2"
0EsC The person who asked this question, a
tall, muscular, good looking young farmer.
was leaning upon Squire Mnores front gate
taking to the Squire's pretty daughter, who
stood inside Of it. AS the simple words pass.
ed his lips he Redeemed suddenly to the very
roots of his fair hair, as if he had just been
guilty OF some great improprietv.
He was baShtul--extrer,ely bashful was
David Winthrop-at least in the presence of
ynnng ladies, most Of all in the presence OF the
girl he loved. no young man in all Wilkes
county owned u better kept farm. or talked
with more confidence among bis cronirs of
stock aud crops and such like. But the sight
OF a pretty foot or face cnmng his way affect
cd him quccrly. On such occasions lie never
knew what to do with his hands and ewes and
seemed always to feel like screwiny himself
INTO the nearest mouse hole until the danger
that is t" say, the young lady--was past
This state of things being considered. no
one ever understood how he cnntrivcd to
muster up courage enough to enlighten Aunie
Moore on The subject of his preference for
herself. The matter probably remains to this
day as much mystery to him as it is to
others.
MISS Annie, however, had fair share of
tact aud wnmary clevcrness slowed safely
away somewhere in the rcccsses of her pretty
little head. although it was carried iauntily
upon the meg rcricnccd and rounded shoul-
ders of fresh eighteen.
She did not need to he reminded that David
was worth, in worldly way, much n,nre than
any OF her Other suit"rs anG THAI lie was GOOD
l""k'n". g"nd hearted and intelligent enough
to satisfy any but over ra<tiliuus person of
q w.S, RI H.,
barring his nnco':Ynerahle and excessive bash
inlnesS, which, indeed, was never falling
source OF mcrrinent to the young people of
their little circle
And 80. when David in his nwtw ward blum
GGrih", half frightened manner began shvIy
t" EXHIBIT his preference for her in vnrinns
little WAYS. such as wai ing on her t., and from
singing school. constituting himself her escort
when she went Sundays on horseback 10 the
lonely little church in tile woods and sinuliru
her ont as the recipient OF what"rcr ,tt.n,iOns
he could find the nerve to paw Mt the frequent
quilting PARTIES in the neiyhhorhnnd hnnie
did not trighten him ont of his hnldiny mas.
sian by any show, either nv surprise or mark
ed preference. hut took it al in the ensiest.
H'""san'e>t m",t unconscious manner possible.
The girls Uttered and nudecd each Others
elbows, and the young men cracked fn.tivc
she stnnd un fnr him like real kind hearted
independent Western lass, as she was, and
tried tn encourage him ont of his shvness as
far as she consistently could
She never seemed to notice anv of his I'm.
fortunate blundcrs, and very likely helred
him along considerably when his feelings
reached tn" eliminating point, one, moon
Ight"d August evening. aS they were walking
home together from cnrn>husking.
That had been jnst one week ago. Annie
had said "ves, and had ngreed to take the
responsibility of bringing father and mother
around on the subject David had not
been to the house since. Probably he felt
very nnch like dog who fears TO venture
upon the premises Of a person whose sheen
fold he has jnSt plundcred. Thus it happen.
cd that as yet the powers that were knew
nothing of the momcnt0us secret which thew
kept between themselver, fearing to dvulee.
Aud now Annie who wished TO nut off the
ordeal of avowal as long as possibe-at anv
rate to gain time for one more confler tial
talk with David on the suhject-said hastily
III reply tn that stammored query Of his with
which we have prefaccd this narration:
Mother is going over to Aunt Ruth's with
father to spend the evening, and she wants
me to go, too but guess won't I've heen
working on fathers new shirts all dav. besides
doing the dairy work yesterday and I'm about
tired out "
Then she added before lie could renlv:
'Don't come until o'clock. 7 shall he
about through putting thinga to rights by that
time"
OF course David was not tno oh.nse tn nm,
derstand that he specially favored hy
this arrangement, and he sn far forgot his
bashfuInesS IA to petition awkwar,ily for
parting kisE, which was at cnce refused in the
most l"cx"rahie manner possible
"N", y"u shan's! There, now. Do take
yourself off will you? Dive think didn't
see you iii"etfing around En- Smith at Deacon
Ander<nn's s"ciahle last night! I've not for.
gotten Mnt, sir"
''Oh, now, Annie jnst one ~
l5n' further appeal was broken off bv q tan.
talizing little laugh. and when. rendered des-
Perate by this. he tried tn revenge himself at
the very moment when he thnnght he was
secure of the coveted bliss and STONED his
head triumphan'ly over his struggling pris-
oner, the rosy. laughing face vanished sud
denly from under his arm and was off and
away up the garden path leading to the house
almost before he could realize what had hap
pened
For one niomen. David, who stood gazing