The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-08-31

a strong, deep attraction in the uncul-
tured country girl. zo-
The old elms of the village, that were
in their green prime then, doubtless
heard on some soft summer evening
the whisper of the old story that is ever
new. 'i
But love-making put no money into
the pockets of the wooer, and it became
clear that the blacksmith looked with
little favor on his suit.
One day the village was aroused and
entertained by new proposition from
the penniless stranger. He proposed to
open a bleaching establishment, assur-
ing the good wives that if they would
give him their homespun cloth he would
whiten it by some new and most excel
lent process, which would make it
snowy of tint beyond any they had ever
seen.
In those days the thrifty farmers
wives Wove their own cloth, and it was
a great convenience to them to have IL
bleached so near home. Presently,
therefore, Ashley had a quantity of
linen given him, which he deposited in
huge watts filed with some mysterious
compound. II. - 60 -..5.s,
For some time he was at work over
the stuff, and then the cloth was taken
from its bath and hung up to dry, but
here q most horrible mishap occurred.
The fine homespun was all eaten into
holes by the process, and fell to pieces
ct a touch. es=.4se
\. One can fancy the loud and deep
indignation of the village matrons
at this terrible calamity, how they
anathematized the unhappy young
man, and sought vainly for redress
where none could be obtained, since
the author of the mischief was in no
condition to repair it.. And it was just
at the midst of all this hubbub that
Ashley asked from honest John Folsom
the hand Of his daughter in marriage.
Of course the request was absolutely
refused. .ife sssfAS fs< ~
Then Ashley, in his despair and
modification, went to my great-grand-
father, as being the person in the vii
lage most likely to understand his story
and to help him.
g would like to see DIR. Johnson, -
| he said, as he stood in the doorway of
the old house which was my great
grandfather's home. Sif .ss = so
He was shown into the presence OF
the doctor, who had but recently re-
turned from an important mission to
England, and also, it should be ex-
planned, was DIR. of Laws, and Dr., Of
Medicine. The dignifed elderly gen
tleman received his visitor, courteously
and was soon listening to his story with
deep interest. s5}is y .4 sisFls'.
"I want to marry Abby Folsom, he
]explained, . and her father will not per.
1 init it because he thinks am not good
enough for her. Yet I can make 9
great lady of her. DR.. johnson, YOU
have been abroad, you know something
of the people to whom I belong ovel
there" :
The manners and speech of the young
man denoted at once to his observer
that he was of gentle birth, and hi
awaited with considerable curiosity the
disclosure that followed. s
"I am the eldest son of Lord Stir
ling, of Stirling Castle, Scotland"
The conversation that ensued aftel
this declaration was long and minute
The young man showed DR.. johnson
letters and papers which completed,
established his.identity.
He had left home because he hat
been somewhat wild, had become in
volved, and in order to raise money
J had resorted to the desperate expedien
of post obits. This, coming to tn
knowledge of his father, had naturall,
aroused his Indignation, and the son il
q fit of recklessness had resolved to rul
away and take care of himself
He had first gone to the West Indie
with some venture of horses, and ha,
|, come from thence to New York, and 81
drifted to this little village.
Having proved his identity, he solicit
ed DIR. JOhnson's good offices with tn
father OF his lady love, promising tina
he would, whenever he inherited hi
title, give his wife the place that woul
belong to her. a3 +5
: Even the dignifed envoy that he ha
chosen had q somewhat difficult task il
obtaining John Folsom's consent to tn
union of his daughter with. the Scotc
noble.
ssI had rather have her marry som
honest tradesman, he said, " than thi
fine stranger, whoever he is" &
il However, without betraying the younI
mans secret, DR.. johnson at last sue
/ ceeded in his vicarious wooing, and on
day the village belle and the adventul
. | GUS stranger were quietly married b
the church clergyman. 81
The young husband at once opened
school as q means Of supporting hi
pretty bride, and this was wen patror