The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-02-13

redness of cheeks, and rejoicing in the
possession of the lasting comeliness
which is derived from bright smile, 6
sweet temper, a pair of clear, earnest
eyes, made none the less expressive by
the near neighborhood of a saucy little
retrousse nose. Her wavy brown hai1
had not ripple out of place, and hel
plump little fgure was encased in well
fitting dress, which was neatness itself.
When her parents spoke to her about
John, she blushed becomingly, and,
after close questioning, admitted that
she would be tickled to death" to
marry him. She further stated that
they were running over with love for
each other; that they had long ago set
H tied the question of ultimate union,
but that they feared parental objection.
Il "Now, Til tell you what, Sally, "
Il said Mrs. Brown, "you know pa and
dote ON you, and would do anything to
make you happy"
Il "Yes, we would do anything to make
you happy" echoed the old man.
"And if you we're to hint to John the
Il idea of an efopement, e woufcn'b lift
lift our fingers to prevent it.
No." repeated the old man, "we
wouldn't lit our fingers to prevent it. .
In thus instructing their children,
the Smiths and Bro Tns displayed very
little knowledge of human nature. They
should have known that John and Sally
would, upon the first occasion possible,
unbosom themselves for how could
true lovers keep secret, and such a
secret? And they didn't. At the next
meeting each told the other all he or
she had been told by parental lips, but
neither could conceive the object of the
old folks. However, they were not
over-disposed to question the matter.
They were too glad that the consumma-
ton so devoutly wished seemed so near
at hand, to question how it had been
brought about. Conscious that their
progenitors were up to some kind of
trickery, they resolved at once to avail
themselves of the opportunity to elope
before any change in the aspect of
affairs should occur. Having thus con-
cluded, they proceeded to lead their
parents astray.
GIVE been talking to john" said
Sally, demurely, to the old folks, A." and
we have concluded to elope-it is all
gettled, and we're ready just as soon as
it can be arranged"
81 saw Sally last night" said John
to his parents, land she agreed to elope
with me; so think the thing had bet
ter be hurried right along"
One week from this time all the pre-
liminaries ha | been arranged. Sally
had been supplied with a bran new
dress and all the other fixings, and John
had been given enough money to buy
suit of wedding toggery, The respec-
tive pa ents were laughing in their re-
spective sleeves at their own cunning.
| The Browns were overioyed at outwit-
| ting the Smiths, the Smiths were happy
at fooling the Browns, and both chuc-
kled over speedy relief from financial
embarrassment.
hitched up one of his fathers horses
| and drove over toward Sally's domicile.
When within dozen rods of the house
| he gave a signal whistle, and Sally
came out. Under the peculiar circum-
stances they feared no interference, and
did not deem it necessary to exercise
any great amount of caution. John
gave Sally a resounding kiss, helped
her into the wagon, and away they
went.
Shortly after they departed, two
scenes transpired which must be here
recorded.
Jonas Brown returned from the vii
lage store, and entered his house in a
state of great mental and bodily ex-
citement. The latter was caused by
fast walking, and the former by-but
the conversation that ensued will best
explain.
"They're gone !" exclaimed Mrs.
Grown, exultingly, "and they'll be
hitched in an hour or less"
"The deuce they have I hoped to
get here time enough to stop 'em."
"To stop emp"
Yes that's what 1 said.
"What for ?"
"Just this: Old Smith hain't worth
cent-can't pay wha he owes-will be
sold out within month-it's the talk
of the whole village"
Goodness gracious - gasped the
old lady, "what shall we do ?"
"I'n tell you what I'll do. Sally
shan't marry the beggar; I'll follow
them to Squire Jones', and get there
before the ceremony"
With this he hurriedly hitched up
horse, and spun away toward Squire
Jones house, about five miles distant
The other important scene mentioned
was at the Smith residence, and was
opened by the precipitate entrance of
Mrs. s., with the breathlesf exclama-
ton
Has he gone ?"
"Who ?" inquired the husband.
"John."
eyes :" and Smith rubbed his hands
with glee. "He went all of half an
hour ago."
"Don't stand there rubbing your
hands," screamed the lady, "but har-
ness up the old mare just as quick as
you can, and follow 'em. The Browns
amt worth dollar in the world; Kate |
Robinson just told me SO, and a mort
gage on their farm going to be fore
closed. So Sally won't get a solitary
cent"
Smith hurried the old mare into her
harness, and ratified away toward Squire
Jones' residence.
John and Sally had proceeded Ieis-
urely about four miles, the former driv- |
ing with one arm, and holding Sally oa |
the seat with the other, when they |
heard the sound of wheels, short dis |
tance in the rear. They had just passed |
long bend in the road, and looking |
across, they saw, revealed by the moon
light, the pursuing Brown.
WY, bIdb pa OAOAeiAtCA hOoAAy'
eyes, and he means mischief, TIL |
bet, said John.
"What shall we do ?" squealed Sally. |
"Tl show you, said John.
Jumping from the wagon, he removed
long rail from the fence, and placed it
across the roadway. Then he drove on
again at rate that made the horse
steam like boiler.
Brown came on at fearful rate, only |
to be summarily checked by the rail.
The horse jumped the rail, but the front |
wheel collapsed under the collision.
Brown was tumbled out, and the fright
ened horse ran away with the wreck of |
the vehicle.
just as Brown was picking himself up
from the ditch, he saw the accident re-
peated this time Smith being the lead
ing actor, and his mare. galloping away
with the fore wheels.
Brown and Smith were inveterate !
enemies and neither would speak but |
both started on a rapid run for the
squire's, about a mile off, where they ar
r;1od VOW rnuch ont of breath They