Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-12-14
BRET HARTE'S STORY.
Ideal Courtsnip at One.Hora Gulcl

AOohl OHrtbnIpd ~ Oue.AAOESo Gulcu'
lin Mr.. Harte's new serial story, the
hero, Gabriel Conroy, gives to his little
sister the following mendacious account
of his visit to the Widow Markle's on
business matrimonial
Oily had drawn q small box, her favor.
tie seat, between her brothers legs, and
rested the back of her head comfortably
against his waistcoat. When Gabriel
had lighted his pipe at the solitary can
die, be gave n or two preliminary puffs
and then, taking his pipe from his mouth,
said gently:
"Olly, it cant be done"
What cant be done, Gabe?' queried
the artful Oily, with a swift preconcep-
ton Of the answer, expanding her little
mouth into a thoughtful smile.
Tibet thing. This yer margin O
Mrs. Markle," said Gabriel, with an IS.
sumption Of easy. business-like indiffer.
enoe.
s"Why2 p asked Oily.
"She wouldn't have me-"
What" said Oily, facing swiftly
around.
Gabriel evaded his sisters eyes, and
looking in the FIRE, repeated slowly, bul
with great irmness.
"No; not fur-fur-fur a giitl'
shes a mean, stuck-up, horrid Ole
thingl' said Oily fercely. "Td Jest like
to-why, thar amt q man az kin com
pare with you, Gabel Like her impu'
dence!'
Gabriel waved his pipe in the air de-
precatingly, yet with such az evident
air of cheerful resignation that Oily
faced upon him again s%uspiciously, anC
asked:
What did she say2"
"She said" replied Gabe slowly, tina
her heart-waS-given-to another. ]
think she struck into poetry, and said.
MY. heart it is another's.
And 1t never can be thine.
That is, | think so. | disremember hel
special remark, Oily; but you know
women alters spout poetry at seecl
times. Ennyhow, that's about the way
the thing panned out"
who was it2' said Oily suddenly.
"She didn't let on who" said Gabrie
uneasily. Il didn't think 1t the squar,
thing to inquire"
well" said Oily.
Gabriel looked down, still more EN-
barressed, and shifted his position
well" he repeated.
What did you say?' said Oily.
Them
mo, afore. How did you do il
Gabe2' comfortably fixing her chin il
her hands, and looking up in be
brothers face.
"0h, the usual wayl' said Gabriel
with a motion Of bis pipe, to indicatl
vague and glittering generalities o
courtship.
but how? Gabe, tell me all about it.
well" said Gabriel, looking up at tn,
roof, women is bashful ez a genera
thing, and thsr's about only one way e.
a man can get EN-, and that ez, by beinI
kinder keerless and bold. Ye see, Oily
when | KEN inter the house, | sorte
just chuckled Sal under the eAin-.the
way, you know-and' then went up ant
put my arm around the widder's waist
and kissed her two or three times, yol
know, jest to be socisble aud familia
like"
"And to think, Gabe, tibet after al
that she wouldn't hev ye," said Oily.
Not at any price, said Gabriel, pos
lively.
THE disgustin' beastl' said Oily. ~,
jest like to catch that Manly hangin
round yer after theft" she continued
sayagely, with q vicious shake Of he
little fist. And just to think, only tc
day we give her her pick O. them pupsl
Hush, Oily, We mustn't do anything
O the sort" said Gabriel hastily. ny
must never let on to any one anything
Its confidence, Olly-con6dence, E
these sort o. things allus is4ratwesn vol
and me. Besides" be went on reassul
ingly, that's nothin.' Lord, afore
mans married he haz to 20 through thi
kind O thing a dozen times. It's ez
pected. There was a man as / ono
knowed," continued Gabriel, with shame
less mendacity, ''ez went through it Eft
, times, and he was q better man nor me
and could shake y thousand dollars i
the face of any woman. Why, hIes
your eyes, Oily, some men Jest like it
! it's excilement-like %perspectin'.