The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1875-05-01
PORCH C0URTsHIP.
Rcnn the signs before ycusuriig ~.
ON Otiaer Peoples t'1rrIcs-- a0scu-
turc of - Loving couple.

evenings has inspired many Oi Tie young
folks Of this city with Il great desire to
enjoy stroll. aud there arc few young
ladies we dare say. whose uilnmn- we're
not too strict with tlicm. who have not
experienced this pleasure.
This very natural desire. lew cVcn-
ings ago, crcpi into the bosom, OF u very
c-timahc young couple of this city. and
the young lover. rising to lIs feet from
where hc had been reclining beneath The
boughs Of a shade tree IN the front yard
of his alliances hone, said:
"Comc, my dear, lei us iahc walk"
| The young lady accepted the invitation.
and the two walked lcisurcly up the
street, until they reached a residence
standing back from the street in u yard.
which 10 all appearances was unoccupicd.
and upon which the young escort
thought he discerncd q card with The
words "For Rent" upon il.
The though, ut once iorcibiy impressed
itself upon the anxious lovers mind that
this would be an appropriate trys,ing
place for himself and truc-loye They
could here, without fear Of interruption,
! talk over the plaus tor their future happi-
ness, and he might again listen 10 the
loving words of his idol. Beside this. it
would be romantic, and love. yon know,
loves romance.
Turning to the beautiful girl by hi. side,
he made known hi thoughts in glowing
words, and She. somewhat Iimid, aud
fearing that they might DC seen by prying
eyes, at first objected, but upon being
again and again assured her fears were
wholly unfoundcl. consented, aud the
two made their way softly 70 the porch
| Of the house, (which vas screened from the
view of pssscrs-by, by several beautiful
shade trees. Seating. themselves. the
young mans arm about his darling's
slender waist, and her beautiful head re-
, Ginning upon his manly shoulder, their
loving word, fell like sweet strains Of
music upon the cars Of each.
For some time thi. low and earnest con-
yer,ltion was continued, when the young
man. gently raising the sweet girl. head
from it, resting place. arose to his feet,
| ani with inclined head. commenced pac-
Ing 10 and fro upon the porch.
IL had made several turns, and wa.
within yard OF the aforesaid card. when
hc stopped and suddenly CHANGING up.
he detected, printed in large bold letters,
the word, SMALL POX.
The feeling, of the young man can be
better imagined than described With
blanched check and failing heart. he
stood riyctca to ,l,r spot for some mo-
ments. Finally, AFTER a struggle with
hi fear, he mustered mp courage. and
made his way To- the side of the unsu.-
pec,ing girl. who, with her head upon
her hands. wa. thinking. undoubtedly.
oil how happy she was to be, when once
under the loving protection of her ani-
anccd. With arms folded upon his breast.
and striking the attitude OF martyr who
l. about TO suffer death by being crushed
| between two milestone. hr calculated
in husky tones. calling tiie young lady
by her first name.
'Arc yoa prepared for death =
The girl burst into a fit of laughter at
the question, the thought striking her
that probably her loysr had premoni-
ton, and wa, alarmed about it.
Nay, do not jest with me, girl an
swcr me. Are you prepared to dir:''
The mir,h of the lady became greater.
Selling the wrist of the young lady
within his iron grasp, The ,rarcl lover
again exclaimed
Girl, You know no, what danger
threatens you. Answer me. Have YOU
made your peace with heaven :"
The thing began to look serious. 4
| fearful thought flashed through the mind
OF the now thoroughly frightened girl.
| Was her lover mad
"What do You mcan;' asked the ten
der being soothingly, and stroking his
face with her left hand.
"What do mcan:' said he, still re-
'iih hi- ii'ii upon ilHI waist, anu Ith'.-
ing her 10 the small pox card. "Eead
that. We have both got the small poS.
and are doomed TO an early death"
The young girl was supplied and
fell into the arms of her lover. who
carried her To the gate where
he stood her upon her feet,
and after spending several minutes In
his endcavors to persuade her to make an
effort to walk, finally succeeded, and the
dolciul couple made their way silently to
the young ladys home, not word being
spoken until the gate was reached, when
the male portion ofthc procession mus
tered courage and said, "good night"
the young lady answering good night
The couple separated, the man to tnd an
apothecary shop. the lady going to her
sleeping apartment to pray to the good
Lord TO deliver her from having, that
dreaded disease to which they had been
exposed