South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-01-28
UNCLE TOMS WOoING.

merry days they were 10 be sure. We
youngsters all assembled in the nursery
and spent the two jolly evenings
Thanksgiving eve and Thanksgiving
evening-in playing games and "having
oil sorts OF fun" rs we praised it, wind
ing up the festivities by repast OF APP
pies and nuts, cnlivened perhaps with
popped corn, which we popped ourselves
with infinite relish in the glowing stove.
or all the cousins. the prettiest girl
was Amy Lee, a slender, blue-ey ed crea-
ture with dainty little ways, and the
sweetest laugh tina. ever was. We all
loved her, but there was one Of the BOYS
that by common consent was given the
place by her side as being his Of right,
from his long-established and pre-cmi-
nent devotion to her.
This was Harry Allen, only n second
cousin, but his home was so near that he
and his father always came to grandma's
for the great festival of the year.
While we Juveniles were holding high
carnival in the nursery, the eldest of
the family sat, in what seemed to us
stupidity solemn state in the drawing
room, and, of course, Harry's father was
with them. And yet when first remem.
Der him he was but boy himself; and
even after Harry was grown up might
be counted q young man.
When he was no more than Is he had
run away with my mothers cousin, Har-
riet Lee, and married her. The young
creature only lived year, leaving him
at 10 the father of this boy.
At first when he came to grandma's
nc would come in often of Tharksgiv-
ing and play games with us, and he
seemed hardly more than n youugster
himself; he had most amiable face,
with big blue eyes, and ever ready smile,
and he was n great favorite with us all.
think it was way back in that early
time that the story am going to tell
began. One Thanksgiving eve. when
were all playing games. Mr.. Allen, or
Cousin Tom" as we all called him, sud-
denly appeared among US, and was greet
ed with shouts of delight.
Come and play come and play :"
was called in wild chorus, and Cousin
Tom was seized by half dozen hands
and dragged into game of forfeits.
Presently it was Amy's turn to re-
deem n pledge; and the mighty poten-
tate who had our destinies in his hands
gave out the time.worn forfeit:
Bow to the wittiest, kneel to the
prettiest, and kiss the one you love the
best
laughing and bId Gf RRgPd st2G e among us
twelve years old at the time. n pretty
little sylph, and as she stood there in
her blue dress and long fair hair she
was as dainty picture as one would
wish to see.
After moment hesitation she made
a solemn bow TO Sam, famous as the
greatest blunderer among us. When
the laughter had died away after this f.,
OF satire, she knelt down with n pretty
gesture of admiration before handsome
Cousin Annie, who was watching the
game with all the dignity ofan acknowl.
edged belle. and then made another brief
pause.
Harry. who was watching me jealous
ly, drew himself up with a look of ex.
pectation. even holding out his hand to.
wards her, and Amy never noted the
gesture, only after short hesitation
made n sudden rush TO Cousin Tom. and
Hung her arms around his neck, giving
him hearty kiss.
Tom colored allover his fair face. and
we all shouted and screamed with de.
lighted approval Of her choice.
The years slipped by. and Amy grew
to be beautiful girl, while Harry turn.
CT into very fastidious beau. whose
cravats were never-endng surprise.
whose boots were wonderfully shiny
and whose trousers were something edi-
flying TO behold.
What fun we made OF him because of
his perfumery and his lady airs How
Sam ridiculed him for parting his hair
in the middle, and what rough Jokes the
boys cut st his expense sometimes.
However. there was ono thing very
surc--hs devotion TO Amy increased.
and the dullest of us got to know that
llarry's ncckties grew more remarkable
and his perfnmery more Overwhelming
when she was expected.
Cousin Tom did not come into the
so often now, but tho older ones
Of us would sometimes stray into the
dsawing-room, and more than once when
the elders moved into that room. after
dinner. Amy stole i'm with her mother
and fingered there until deputation
was sent from the nursery 70 bring her
away.
80 another Thanksgiving eve came.
and we were none Of us children any
more. while already some Of the CAV
band Of youngsters had vanished from
among US 70 distant houses.
some one proposed q dance. There was
q piano in the room now. and although
u still retained its old name, all its nur. .
had disappeared.
Yes cried Harry, springug up,
'and I'll go and get Amy"
Bring your father, too said Annie
I'd rather have him for my partner
han any Of you stupid boys"
Groans from the boys" followed
his and Harry went Off laughing.
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