Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-02-18
UNDER THE CARPET.

following romance, Charles C.,
was poor, but not proud, and early
developed considerable genius as dry
goods clerk in St. Louis. His person
was handsome, his clothes fitted him
well, and had his shoes made in
Chicago. But he fell in love with the
niece Of rich widow lady Of Lucas
Place, in the aforementioned city,; and
thus his woes began.
The widow having niger aspirations
than ''Clark' best spool>thread-500
yards best artillery man foF her niece,
peremptorily forbade that young lady
holding intercourse with Charley.
AS Clara is dependent upon her
aunt, she, of course, appeared to
acquiesce in these ambitious designs.
but, at the same time registered a vow,
at her looking glass that no one in the
world should ever supplant the dapper
yard stick man of affections.
One afternoon recently, Charley re
ceived note from his Clara, stating
that her relative would that evening
attend prayer meeting.
The intimation .as enough, and 8
o'clock saw the young couple seated
upon the sofa in her aunt's library.
billing and cooling in the regular
orthodox, turtle-dove style. Little
Charley, lured on by the witcheries of
love, became perfectly immense
He wound his arm about her waist and
vowed that her form was "sylphlike. .
He toyed with her long golden ringlets,
and likened them to E.truant sunbeams.
with few other remarks, to the effect
that heavens dearest gift to her sex
was "a wealth of bright golden hair. i
Then when she lblushed he swore that
the rose had been robbed, and when
she smiled that her lips were ruby
portals to easket of pearls.
Indeed, he talked SO nice, and she fed
upon his glowing words with such rel
ish, that the old lady was rafting away
at the door bell as though the house
next door was on fire full five minutes
before the absorbed lovers heard her
"Great heavens! my aunt exclaim.
ed Clara.
Charley grew trife pale, and
muttered an intersection Or two pertain
ing to the front end of mill pond.
1t appears the old lady, having got
to the place Of prayer, found the
meeting epizootic'd, or postponed, and
consequently after some little chat with
a neighbor OF two had returned home
at this most inopportune moment.
What was to be doneP Not closet
or nook invited retreat, and there Char.
ley stood and wished he was mileage OF
| a stationer's bill, so that he could pass
the house for member of the Louisiana
Legislature, or some other feature OF
modern civilization.
At last brilliant idea occurred to
to his lady love. In the corner of the
library lay bundle of carpet that had
| been brought TO the house that dav to
| refurnish the sitting-room, and having
heen duly inspected by the ladies, was
temporarily left in tumbled heap in
the corner of the room.
A hasty explanation took place, and
then Charley entombed himself beneath
the mass with fervent VOW that he
would die for her sake were it necessary
| and then Clara admitted her aunt.
That relative was not well pleased al
being kept SO long Oh the door step,
and sharply demanded what had be
come of the servants.
81 sent them to bed, dear aunt, so
that might have the pleasure of re-
naming up tor yoor return but I fell
asleep" innoceptly remarked the in
genuous girl.
This loving explanation somewhat
appeased the old lady, who, after
warming herself, walked over to the
bundle of carpet, and picked up a
corner, wondered how it would look b,
gaslight.
Clara fastened to assure her that il
would not look nice at all; in fact, she
was so confident of it her aunt need moi
60 to the trouble Of an investigation