The farmers' vindicator. (Jackson, Miss.) 1873-1???, 1874-06-19
From the Waverly Magazine.l
THE BASHFUL LOVER.
BY EMERALD.

There was no denying it-Joshu,
Herrick was bashful boy. If tn,
school.teacher looked at him, his fac,
turned crimson; a girl had but t.
speak, and he was ready to cry; and
if a joke was cracked at his expense
he was sure to run home and tell his
mother.
AS years were added to the calendar,
Joshua grew holder, and, at the age OF
eighteen, he would often muster up
courage enough to speak to woman.
Yes, under the cover of darkness he
had ventured so far as to ask Miss
Baker the privilege of accompanying
her home from the village singing
school, and every Saturday night for
nearly year he could be seen stand
ing on the church steps, waiting for
Miss Annie to appear.
She had often tried to persuade the
bashful youth to step into the parlor,
but in vain he would never venture
farther than the gate, until, one night,
being assured that the old folks were
away from home, and not likely to re-
turn, he consented.
Not until he was seated in strange
parlor, on a cushioned chair, did Josh
ua discover how large and awkward
he was. First his hands, that had
never seemed too large when milking
the cows, now doomed up, red and
freckled; his lower limbs, that had
Away nSapc esO e'e..', Lien he wanted
to tramp arod6a psaddd eqEaaf, now o T looked
like stills out of place.
He folded and re-folded his arms to
hide his hands, crossed and re.crossed
his legs to ease his position, while
Annie chatted and laughed, and pre-
tended not to notice his embarrass-
ment.
The family album-the picture book
that has been brought to the relief Of
Of bashful lovers so often-was opened
before Joshua's eyes, and the name and
history of every face related, when the
last picture had been look at, and the
sterescopic views were furnished.
Only when gazing at the roaring wa
tiers of the Niagara, or the ruins of
Pompeii, would he forget that he was
in strange house.
He finished the views, and sat wait
ing for Annie to furnish further amuse.
ment. Suddenly loud noise was heard
in the hall; the parlor door opened,
and in came dozen young gentlemen,
followed by as many ladies. 1t was a
party-but only to Joshua.
Annie had used this stratagem to get
her bashful beau into company. He
tried hard to escape, but the keen eye
of his hostess prevented him from
doing so.
1t was merry company, and, after
supper had been served, the piano was
opened, and many were asked to play;
but, as is usual with modern young
ladies, they all had good excuses for
not doing so. At last our hero pluck
ed up courage, and asked Miss Baker
to play.
Now Annie was sensible little lady.
She was not troubled with severe
coda lame hand-and a host of
other ills that flesh is heir to.
Certainly" she said, turning her
eyes up to Joshua, eff you will turn
5he music"
Under tie excitement of the moment
ne offered her his arm, and had seated
Miss Baker on the stool before he real
zed the magnitude of his undertaking.
Reader, if you have imagination,
ook at bas hful Joshua Herriek, as he
TODD there in front of the piano, en-
leavoring to read notes that were as
lark and mysterious as the Chinese
haracters on tea boxes.
Miss Baker began playing, and Mr..
Ierrick looked on in silent wonder.
"Turn, please"
Joshua made desperate effort to do
er bidding, but. only succeeded in
ending the music sailing and darling
through the room like an unbalanced
lite. Finally, to Mr.. Herrick's relief,
anchored at lady's feet; he stopped
yer to pick it up, when lol the main
cam in the back of his waisteoat burst.
he shock was too great; he swooned, i