Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-06-15

| luOf tOA flOct I'll Va tnCi
knew my weakness, and know that
should consider it favor TO be le
alone. By sly glsnces from the cor
ners of my eyes, | gained genera
idea Of what was going on. Mis-
Cog was at the piano, surrounded
by half dozen gallauts. Oh, that
coald only muster courage to tax,
my place among them, and contenC
for the prize! But it made my heaC
swim TO think of it.
At last, she turned from the piano
| felt that her eyee were upon me
and the warm bushes mantleC
this sunny brow. | began to pres
pire freely. rcnly this was such
agony as | had not counted upon
| was meditating whether it woult
not DO best to make one rush for the
door and so escape my torments
whea | heard Mrs. Swingletoe'l
voice.
"Mr. Tarbox," she began, 81 wish
to make you acquainted with Miss
Gogglei. Miss Gogglai, Mr.. Tarbox.
l sprang to my feet. What did
do, | knew must be done quickly
Casting a hurried glance at Miss Cog
glei's beautiful face, | made the most
awkward bow that | believe | had
ever made in my life
II think we have met before, Mr.
Tarbox," she said, holding out her
hand.
Eyes," 1 stammered, at the same
time advancing to take her hand;
but as my ill luck would have it, my
foot caught in lady's crinoline, and
| fell into Miss Gogglei's arms.
"This reminds me of our first meet
ing" she said. laughing.
Unlucky words Without needing
my ENHANCEMENT, | sprang for the
door, and fell in heap under the ia
Bile. There was suppressed litter
around the room, Miss Gogglei gig
gled meIifuously' 1 shut my eyes
tight and rolled out of the door.
Selling my coat and hat l rushed out
of the house and hurried homo.
"My usual luck, MOTHER | cried as
[ entered the house. 81 have been
introduced to Miss Gogglei, and of
course 1 gave her specimen of my
grand and lofty tumblng'"
! did not stop for words of consola-
ton, but went Immediately to my
room. For full half an hour | sat,
considering my situation. Never
having loved woman before, think
| entertained the most highly CON-
centrated affection for Miss Gogglei
that man ever did for woman. And
now must | give her up? 1t was ter
ribl, TO think of. La all probability,
| had disgraced myself in her eyes
forever.
"But then, said l, Git may not DO
so. Ii she is sensible woman, she
Will understand my weakness, and
perhaps pity me. Pity is akin to
love, they say. | will not give up
all hope-she may yet be mine. But
then, | couli never survive long
courtship Well, what use of court
ship ct all? live her already. All |
need ask her, is simply if she will be
my wife But ah! | could never do
that. o no | have it now. Pll
send for Cousin Sim Piumper. He'll
make short work of it for me-"
| sat down at once and wrote to
my cousin, telling him to come i'm
mediately; and then, in very hope
full condition | retired for the night.
Three days after that, Sim arrived.
He came just in time tor dinner, and
after that was discussed, we repaired
to my apartments.
"Well, what's up now p asked Sim
throwing himself upon tho lounge.
"My dear Sim," said | bushing,
SIN in love-"
PIumper whistlod
"Don't say sol"
| "Fact T.
"Well, what next?'
81 want you to help mo-"
"My dear Tarbox," said he, eff
there is any way in which | can
serve you, [ shall be most happy to
do so"
81 knew you would, Plumper."
"But W hat can | do ?"
"Do? Why, my counting, of
course"
ala, hal Well, that is good. Do
your counting! Who will do my
counting meantime p
do that yourself"
"Ahl" Piumpor mused moment.
"Do I understand you to say that |
may do your counting and my own at
the same time? ?"
ayes; why ?"
avery well; l agree. Now who is
the young lady upon whom you
have set your affections 2"
"Miss Matilda Gogglci."
Hal Gogglei | Is she as beautiful
as her name seems to warrant r.
Plumper asked, laughing.
"Beautiful as Venus!" 1 exclaimed.
" But you will see her, and that will
be better than any description | can
give you.'
So it was setti5d. That same day
Plumpcr called upon his friend, Miss
Wilkins, and together they called
upon Miss GoggIei. Whcu he re-
turned | was walking the floor with
impatient strides.
What success ?" | asked, as he
came in.
"Good. I've gained & footing"
"Did you mention my 2"
"Of course. | told her that we
were cousins. But she is handsome,
Tarbox."
j" You are not smitten ~ | asked,
10 some alarm.
sob no, not bad, | guess. I'M
pressions don't strike very heavy up
on my heart" he replied laughing.
| Next day he called again. | wait
ed anxiously for his return, but be
seemed in no hurry to leave such
good company. When be did come,
his face was all aglow.
"Getting along swimmingly, Tar