The farmers' vindicator. (Jackson, Miss.) 1873-1???, 1874-06-19
ton? If you wasn't my guest, IA
never speak to you again I"

"Oh, don't be SO righteously indig-
nant, old boyl If she has the tin -
as ! haven't-Ill honor her with the
offer of my hand and heart; and she
don't have the chance to catch such a
good-looking fellow as myself every
day; won't / play the devoted to per-
lection, though? Of course, Miss Sim
plicity couldn't help falling in love
with me-"
Well, Aft if you have finished
your rhapsody over your elegant self,
we will return to the house, as mother
said we would take an early tea;" and
ere long, the sound Of their retreating
footsteps died away in the distance.
They had hardly disappeared before
the young lady previously mentioned
left her snug nook and wendell her
way homeward.
Miss Simplicity indeed I'm
sophisticated country grill "A glo-
rious Irritation, Ell? Perhaps, my dear
sir, two can play at that game" she
said to herself, her eyes dancing with
mischief and fun.
And now for our young heroes.
much to Alfred Burnfam's surprise,
Harry Dudley expressed no unwilling
ness to accompany him to Miss Gracie's
residence and give him the coveted I'M
PRODUCTION; probably he had not seen
the note of which Mr.. Dudley was the
recipient, commencing, "My dear
Harry" nor did the foolish youth no
tice the merry glances exchanged be,
tween his friend and the young lady he
was honoring with his most elegant
manners. His evening was very pleas
antly passed, as Harry kept in the
background, and our friend Alfred saw,
with much delight, that Grace regard
ed him with admiration, listening to
his foolish, vapid nothings with EVIL
dent pleasure, and smiling and blush
ing whenever he CHANGED to edge in "a
pretty compliment, as he thought it.
As they walked home that night,
Alfred boosted Of his "grand success"
declaring, "the girl was smitten now,
and in less than a month would be
dead in love with his fascinating self
When he next called on Oracle, she
CHANGED to remark that a certain old
lady in the city where Alfred resided
was her aunt. @
ttShell have the old woman's money,
no doubt, and she is immensely rich,"
thought he. "Whew! / am lucky
dog; and no mistake; an heiress and
a beauty, ready to fling herself into
my arms at the asking; and visions of
wedding cards began to fit, in pleasing
form, through his dazzled Uranium.
He danced attendance upon his lady
love very faithfully, petted his mus.
tache more than ever, and nearly dis
located his neck in the attempt to tie
his cravat in an excruciating knot of
the very latest style; every time he
looked in the mirror at his Immaculate
person he would say to himself
ALFRED, you are a great catchl 1
fear she does not appreciate the great
honor | do her in devoting myself SO
exclusively to her company and pleas
ure; think I'll have to keep the lady
in suspense little longer"
One day, however, as he was taking
a ramble with Grace, he resolved to
delay no longer, but there and then
declare his love. Oracle had never
looked so lovely, even to his admiring
gaze, as she did that day; she was
dressed in white, and wore coquettish
little knots of blue at her throat and
on her brown tresses, while sash of
the same azure hue encircled her slen-
der, graceful waist.
can elegant little wife you will
make" thought he, as he noticed with
the satisfaction of proprietorship her
high bred, dainty ways; and he felt at
that moment that she, of all others,
was the first, and would be the last OBJ
jectof his love; and then to think that
this bewitching little creature would
be his; that love and fortune, too,
were within his reach, was Joy mex
pressible; yes, he would venture all
"Miss Clifton, Oracle, dear Oracle
dare | call you'll am going to ask
you an all important question; and
upon your answer rests the veal or woe
Of my future life; | love you, beauti-
full Gracel and now | ask you to return
that love, and become my wife; Oracle,
dearest, what is your reply?"
The little gypsy hat she wore conceal
ed the downcast face as she coyly an
swered,-
"Mr. Burnham, such serious ques-
lion, one of such vital Importance to
rs both, / cannot hastily answer; ask ]