Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-11-22

on the point of declaring himself, il
defiance of the maternal advice-onc,
when he brought Miss Milly a saucel
of pink ice-cream, and succeeded il
depOsiting half its contents on the
skirt of her dress-and a second time
when she asked him if he did moi
dance? But he found himself unable
/ to muater courage.
81 s'pOse must ask her TO go home
in my Sleigh" he pondered, as the
company began gradually to disperse,
"Wonder what 1 ought to sayl I'd
rather fight wildcat any time"
At that moment Squire Robbins
genial face met his eye - he caught al
the suggestion as a drowning man
catches at a straw.
''Goin', Squire ?"
"Wen, yes" said the Squire, in a
hearty, good humored voice; 'its
getting late for old folks like Mrs.
Robbins and me, and DIR. Lee has Of
fered us seats in his sleigh, and so /
thought"
81 say, Squire" whispered Hiram
in n sepulchral tone, "would you be
good enough to ask Miss Robbins to
let me drive her home? I've got q
capital buffalo, and my horses is aw-
full spry."
"Why don't you ask her yourself p
laughed the Squire.
cause l don't like to-" sheepishly
responded Hiram, coloring to the
roots of his red-brown hair.
"Well, I'll do your errand and
welcome" said the Squire, good hu-
moredly.
Hiram's eyes followed him greedily,
as he strobe into the midst of the
circle of young people, and delivered
the message. In a moment he re-
turned
"She1l be very happy" was the an
swer, "and you must take care not to
tip her into a snow-drift, Hiram"
The Squire went his way chuckling,
leaving Hiram in a state of nervous
delight at the prospect of an hour
long tete-a-tete with the golden hair
ed Mildred.
"YOu get up your sleigh, Pinker-
ton, and I'll bring the young lady
down, when she's well wrapped up"
said James Martin, when ut length he
came to claim his promise.
81 can afford to do that" thought
Hiram, filed with generous pity for
his defeated adversary. ''Poor fell
low, L s'pUse nc does feel bad 70 think
I've got such start of him.
''There, Pinkerton, take good care
of her ;" was Martins adjuratiOD, as
he lifted the little figure, muffied to
the very eyes i'll furs and Wrappings,
into the vacant place on the buffalo"
beside Hiram.
Was ever swain so tavorably situa-
ted for the declaration of his passion =?
Moonlight-swift horses--jingling
bells-and the fair one all TO himself
yet Hiram felt his bashfulness re-
turning with new strength. Remem-
bering his mothers advice, however,
he edged himself closer and closer to
his companion, and finally ventured
to take her hand, and give it a gentle
pressure that frightened himself a
good deal more than it could have
frightened the lady.
For shame, Mr.. PinkertonI" gig
gled the soft voice. Hiram got of a
second edition OF the squeeze.
''DORt!" said the voice-not very
angrily, however.
Il love you," said Hiram huskily.
Il do, upon my word. And if you'd
only promise to marry me, I'd be the
happiest feller alive! Say, will you 2"
Good gracious, Mr.. Pinkerton, this
is so sudden"
''Bnt say yes," coaxed Hiram
'Only say yes -
"YeS, then" whispered the lady, as
the horses drew mp in front of Squire
Robbins stone steps. And in spite
of the disadvantage sf holding the
steeds, and helping his fair compan-
ion out at the same time, Hiram man
aged to seal the compact with kiss.
''Won': you light down and come
in, Hiram?' p bawled the hOspitable
Squire, as he opened the door.
mot tonight, thank'ee Squire its
late" said Hiram, turning his horses,
and setting ioyfully toward home
''Wen, I've done y" quoth he to
himself, executing a pas sHel in the
sleigh, greatly to the wonder of his
horses. 'I do b'lieve I'm the luckiest
chap this side of the Rocky Mountains,
to get such q pretty piece of goods for
Hrs. Hiram Pinkerton. Hellol there
comes Jim Martins cutter. Wonder
how he liked driving the old maid
home ?"
He mildly checked his steeds as he
approached Martins trim little equip
age. There sat the young gentleman
in high spirits, while close beside
Hiram rubbed his eyes and looked
again. To whom did those shining
curls and rose bloom cheeks belong
not, surely, to any old maid ?
The difficulty was soon solved-the
golden ringlets leaned archly toward
Kim, and a silvery voice called out, as
the cutter shot by:
81 hope you took good care Of aunt
Matilda"
''Great je-hosiphatr' calculated
Hiram, dropping the reins in dismay,
| '.It-can't-be possible-that-I have
been and gone-and-propOsed tC
hat-old--maidr -
But he had-there was no manner
of doubt about that. Visions of Sc
| ccding from the proposed alliance
and darker dreams OF "breach Oi
/ promise" suits, followed by incredible
/ damages, shot across his mind.
I've done It, that's fact, he NUT
/ tered, Wiping the big drops from hi:
forehead. ''And s'pOse Jim MartiI
hasn't neglected his opportunities nei
ther."
He drove on III silence for about
five minutes then suddenly exclaim
sI don't care! hanged If I do!-
Matilda Robbins is q pretty gal, i
she Is th;rty-five and she's got proper
ty, too. And I'll bet q big apple tina
she'll make 'nough sight better wifi,
than that skittish, frolicky LITTLE
AIinv! I'm in for it anyhow, and
don't b1ieve I could do better. Hur
rah for Miss Matildy ~
Could there be a brighter exemplif
cation of making the best of things?'
Truly, Hiram PiHkerton was philos
opher in his way.
''WelI, what luck 2" said Mrs. Pink
erton, who was nodding over long
wicked candle by the fire, when he
son stalked into the room that night.
I've asked her, and she said yes =
'Do telli' exclaimed the old lady
''And so you're going to marry Mill.
Robbins, arter all p
'Who said anything about Mill.
Robbins ?'' grufiy questioned Hiram
cit was Taiy Robbins p
"Oh-h-hl Miss Matilda! But
thought you meant little Mildred, tn
\ pretty one"
] s'You must ha' misunderstood mel