The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-08-13


mine. What glorious mistake this
was How to get safely out of it-that
was the appalling problem. But every
to get out of it.
&c Come said she, Il want you to
see him. He has the handsomest eyes
in the Mississippi Valley (That's
what che said, James y I'm quite in
love with him. Dust then 1 stood
erect.)
81 didn't say anything, of course,
but trudged along. I would have
walked right over into the boiling wake
had she asked it as favor, But she
didn't. I don't exactly remember how
1T was, but soon we were dancing.
Didn't l dance, thought ? We just
whirled So we danced until she sud.
denly stopped and cried
"'Why, L can't find him. He has
left his solitary seat Then some one
gave us an unmerciful thump and we
moved out of the way. Her eyes
sparkled. She turned red. Then we
withdrew into corner.
"' What is it?' said I.
60 e-there-can't you see Z
Cousins waltzing with him ! How did
she get acquainted with him ? See her
look into his face-why it's downright
bold. Aren't they pretty familiar for
strangers p Q thought she seemed a
little disappointed at this). Il don't
think he is so handsome after all. He
has got crook in his nose, hasn't he p
" saw the man who was my rehec-
ton, and, to tell the truth, was little
fiattered. We both wore clothes of the
same pattern-even the same style of
watch-guard.
81 saw there was disappointment in
her tone, and was quite happy. My
hand was still on her waist, and I at
tempted to draw her to the deck, 'for
fresh air. 1 said.
"' No, SIR she replied, Il don't
want fresh air-yes l do, too. Come
on
"' I have something to tell you,' 1
said, as soon as we were under the
shadow of heavy timbers. She looked
up with a winning, innocent smile
Tell me-
{" Don't you fall in love with that
man T
Then she looked mysterious and cum
ming. She pulled my beard. 1 couldn't
help it, Bedford, 1 couldn't-it was
wrong but very SWEET kissed her
hand. Bless your soul, James-if she
didn't give me pinch in return, with
all her might. There, she said, that
for your impudence.'
Keep your seat" said Bedford,
and have another cigar. I didn't
know how interested 1 had become.
What did she do then ?"
"Do? She edged up to the door and
brilliant cabin. Then I was quite
ready to get on my knees and avow my
villalny in concealing the mistake. I
staggered up to her-the perspiration
on my forehead and my knees knock
ing together. My heart gnawed as with
desperation. Isought for words. Every
thing swan around, and felt faint.
Cousin, I said, grasping her arm,
though not roughly-Q did not know
her name)-I-I-am-I am acquaint-
ed with this gentleman you like SO we'll.
"Courage failed me, and she stared
in my coward eyes, I don't like him
you know L do not-tell me about
him.
"'Yes, OF course and the man in
the moon must have mistaken me for
some nebula-my mind gyrated, and
electric flashes encompassed me about.
ooh, yes-hm-he's q good fellow
that is, he is a-he's q lawyer in st.
Louis. Name is Salem Mott. Lives
with his mother-loves her pretty well
that is, I dare say he loves her-don't
you
Me I never saw his mother
has pretty name-how you act what
is the matter?'
I" He goes into society some with
her; he--is-bashful- perhaps a little
deceitful in one thing
idly glancing in the cabin door.
ooh, no, I guess not deceitful but
he hasn't much property; rather am
bilious, though. His looks are against
his making matrimonial spec
"Looks /! He's better looking than
you are. I do think he's handsome.
See him laugh with that goose of
cousin of mine !
4" You are very complimentary
" "Well, do think he is noble look
ing, like you, dear cousin Don't
laugh, Bedford this is what she said
He looked SO lonesome and SO sad l
came very near creeping up behind him,
taking him by the ear and Offering him
my services as a partner for the clan
GERS" What would you have said?'
"Me? Why, 1 would have said
God bless your woman's heart! He is
lonesome. There is no man on the boat
so worthy or so willing, I think, to be
your cavalier on your trip. Why, he
would love yor to death, I'm sure
"Oh! oh! oh! Cousin has left him
alone. Goodbye
"She was gone-gone after her lady
cousin-and 1 watched with beating
heart for the outbreak of a coming
storm. All, how wished the mistake
had been told by my lips. Now she
would find me guilty wretch. She
would bring that cousin to wreak
upon me. 1 crept up to the
door.post of the cabin and looked in.
The two young ladies came up near the
door and stood silent a moment. 1
strained every nerve of hearing, and
My sylph opened pair of
ruby lips, and rather testify said:
"' You met him and danced with
him and-and-what elsef'
"The cousin looked askance at her,
and then glanced down the long room
in silence. Finally she turned to the
sylph and asked: Danced with whom p
"'Why, with our lonesome family
prototype. Can you present him to
me p
60 Present him to your cried the
cousin. I am perplexed by what you
say. I saw you dancing with him as