Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-12-30

marry. tU 60 IL ana see WHAT ne IL say.
Jane simpered, the younger specimen
of femininity gigglod outright, while
Swipesy blushed bohind the ears. But
Jane did not take her dear niece's ad-
vice. This put dampe- on the conver-
sation, for Mr.. Swipes' thoughts being
turned matrimonislly again, he felt dis.
posed to brood over his sorrows, while
the women folks having fairly taken the
matter in hand were getting up such a
dinner as the cabin on Gouge-eye Point
had never seen before.
The grateful scent Of the viands reach
cd the olhctory nerves OF Swipes, and
he took a mental inventory Of the charms
Of Aunt Jane, who was warming up the
remnants OF beef and beans in most APP
petizing manner. Swipes was satisfied
even if she did smoke it was but another
reason why she should be his. "Hetc
we could sit" said the worthy to himself
she there and me heve, and Ia never
be out of tobackor, for | could borry from
her when mines gone. Wish she would
ask me, dog on'd il DON'T" and Mr.
Swipes proceeded at once in the erection
of Nh air-castle to take the place of his
two roomed cabin, duly installed Aunt
Jane us the mistress of it, and was only
recalled from the contemplation of his
vision Of bliss by the matter-of-act an
nouncement that dinner was ready.
As we have before stated that the
Swipes dresser boasted of but two plates,
the question of precedence became quito
n serious one twas finally settled that
! Aunt Jane and Swipes should wait that
amiable lady having impaired to him the
information that, " tho smell Of the wit
Ties while cooking, allus took away her
appetite" and the gentleman having, Of
course, too much gallautry to sit at the
first table and lot ladies wait. This quos-
ton being settled to the great satisfaction
Of all concerned, dinner was eaten in the
order we have named, and Swipes and
Aunt Jane had nearly finished theirs
when the door was opened without the
formality Of knocking and old Bender
walked in.
To explain the sudden appearance Of
this estimabe gentleman, We will state
that he had excellent luck Mt the game,
having gobbled up all the ready cash Of
the other boys. Then, finding there was
a disposition on their part to keep on, and
lowe him the amount of their bets, he
suddenly remembered that his wilo went
away in the morning and had not return
ed. This thought produced such an of
feet upon his sensitive mind that he i'm
medatcly pocketcd his winnings and
Jumped " the game, much to the dis
gust OF tho busted crowd, who thus saw
their chances to get even vanish with
his retreating form. But old Bender was
right, | know that from experience. II
had the little dabs that fellows owe I"
me, I'd go to Washington and start a
Frecdman's Bank.
Now yer nice couple" said Bendor
surveying the pair. :" It's pity you
couldn't alters be- that way"
$50 say" answered Swipesy, boldly.
You can't bluff me of that way. This
jist suits"
Aunt Jane said nothing. She looked
once as though about to speak, but chang
ed her mind and stopped u sigh with II
spoonful of the beans.
Mr.. Bender indulged in some othcr re-
marks Of an equally facetious nature,
during which tho couple made pretty
clean sweep of what was left. And as il
to add to the jolity Of the party, when
they finished dinner the storm ceased, the
sun shone brightly out and all hands sal
lied out to take advantage Of this clear
ing off, in such haste that they nearly
forgot tho umbrellas which the worthy
Mr.. Bender had brought with him.
Let me record it here, as an instance
of tho sinfulness Of woman's nature, that
Mrs. Bender arranged it 50 that Swipes
and Aunt Jane walked together. don't
say, mind you, that this was 1isagreeable
to either Of thom-I merely mention it
by way of illustration. Women like to
fix up these little matters between their
friends, and |, for one, don t feel dispos-
ed to blame them.
But to follow the thread Of this event
ful narrative. Swpes and Aunt Jane
walked sturdily along, and our hero es-
sayed to call up tho fund OF small
:alk " which he had been want to use in
days Of yore, and which is believed to be
SO pleasant 10 the ear Of woman. The con-
yersatiou never tagged until tho journey
was nearly ended, when Swipes became
silent and lost in thought, Aunt Jane
felt that the decisive moment WAS com
ing.
Il was thinking" sad he rousing
himself, "about It's being Leap Year
It's funny, ain'tit? Do you suppose the
ladies ever do ?"
" Ever do what ?'
&" Why, you know. Pop the question.
Propose"
- don't know, I'm sure" said Aunt
Jane, briding, know this, though +;
if there's any proposing to be done that
I'm concerned in, it won't be me that'll
do it,"
"Oh, certainly; oicourse not / wasn't
thinking Of that, at all. But | was jst
thinking, as we came along, how tough
it is on feler, to have to put on a pot
Of beans 10 cook, and then set up aud
watch 'em when he's so awful fired, cos
| if they burnt you know, it would bo all
for nothing"
81 don't know nothing about your mas
ty beans" said Aunt Jane.
No, you don't, dearest, bat l want