New Orleans Republican., 1873-06-22
LOVE ON A LOG.

risS Dcohy No"'on'
!'Well, sir"
'Will you marry NE -
mo, won't
Very well then don't, that's all"
Mr.. Fred Eckerson drew away his chair
and putting his feet upon the piazza, un.
folded newspaper. Mrs. Becky Newton
bit her lip, and went on with her sewing
She wondered if that was going to be the
last of it, She had felt this proposal com.
ing for a month, but the scene she had an
tcipated was not at all like this She had
intended to refuse him, but it was to be
done gracefully. She was to remain firm,
Notwithstanding his most eager entreates
She was to have told him that though re-
spectng his manly worth and upright char
acter, she could never be to him more than
an appreciative and earnest friend. She
had intended to have shed few tears, per.
haps as he knelt writhing in an agony Of
hupplicatiOn at her feet. But instead, he
had asked her the simple question, without
any rhetorical embeliishment. and on being
answered, had plunged at once into his
newspaper. as though he had merely in.
Guired the time of day. She could have
cried with vexation.
'lOu will never have better chance"
he continued after pause. as he Geliber.
ately turned over the sheets to find the
latest telegraphic reports.
"A better chance for what" she asked,
shortly.
"A better chance 10 marry young, good.
looking man, whose galantry to the sex is
only exceeded by his bravery in their de.
!ense"
Fred was quoting from his newspaper.
but Miss Newton did not know it.
And whose egotism is only exceeded by
his impudence. ve:orted the lady sarcas.
tically.
Before long" continued Fred. "you'l! be
nf he rkat sba
know. are getting simmer every day."
Sir
"It won't be great while before Won are
Ineligible. You vii! grow old and wrinkled
and"
''Such rudeness to a lady is monstrous."
exclaimed Miss Newton. rising hastily and
flushing to the temples.
III give you final opportunity, Miss
Becky. Will You mar"
Not if you Were the king Of England"
Interrupted Miss Newton. throwing down
her work. Il am not accustomed to such
insults, sir.
And SO saying. she passed into the house
and slammed the door behind her.
''She is never so handsome as when she Is
in rage" thought Fred to himself, after
tne had gone. as he slowly folded up his
paper and replaced it in his pocket. IL was
"A tool to goad her SO. | shall never win
her in that way. But I'll have her. he ex.
claimed aloud. by heaven. Iii have her,
cost what it may
Very different wax the Fred Eckerson of
the present, pacing nervously up and down
the piazza, from the Fred EckersOn OF a
few moments ago. receiving his dismissal
from the woman he loved. with such calm
and imperturbable exterior. For he loved
Becky Newton with ali his heart. The real
difficulty in the way. as he half suspected,
was not SO much with himself as with his
pocket. Becky Newton had an insuperable
objection TO an empty wallet. The daughter
Ct wealthy LOUISIANA planter. reared in
luxury and the recipient of a weekly allow.
ance of pin money sufficient TO pay Fred's |
whole bills for month. she had no idea of |
changing her situation tor one of less CON-
fort and independence. Besides. it had |
been intimated 10 her that a neighbOring !
planter of unusually aristocratic lineage. |
looked upon her with CovetOus eyes, To !
be sure. he was old and ugly. but he was |
rich, and in her present mercenary state OF |
mind. Miss Becky Newton did not desire
such chance of becoming wealthy widow
to slip by unimprOyed.
But alas for human nature. If Becky
was really SO indifferent to Fred Eckerson,
why did she run up stairs after that inter.
view and take the starch all out of her nice
clean pillow -shams by crying herself into
b hysterics on the bed 1t was not all wrath
or veXatlOn; 1t was not all plque. There
was, somewhere deep down in Becky's
heart, feeling very much akin to remorse.
She was not sure that she would not one
day be sorry for what she had done. She
lad no doubt she could be very happy as
Sred Eckerson's wife after all
"But then," she cried, growing hot with
he recollection, che was 60 rude and so in
ulting. l never could live with such
1an-never"
When Fred Eckerson had walked off
ONE of his feelings on the piazza, he con
luded to take . look at the river. Inc
which flowed within nve nun