The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-06-16
PROPOSING TO NELLY.

was proud Of my orchard. There
wasn't nicer show Of fruit in Hereford
than my two acres held. It was my first
full crop OF fruit; never before had the
trees borne enough to give me any care
IS TO loss, but now their lavish supply
Billed me with all a miser's anxieties.
Not that grew suddenly selfish, but
Tor the first time experienced the cares
and responsibilities Of an owner Of prop
erty liable to danger.
While / fingered, I suddenly heard
voices. Turning suddenly, my eyes
FELL upon two elf-like little girls stand
Ing by the bars OF the Enclosure, and
peeping through at my precious fruit.
They did not see me at first, and while
they chatted had leisure to observe
them. They might perhaps have been
"a or 10 years old, and both as pretty as
pictures. The tallest one was little
gipsy-llke creature, with slender, sun
burnt limbs, thick black hair, tangled
under an old straw hat, and a thin,
dark, vivacious face, lighted up by q
pair of coal black eyes. The other was
bRreheaded, and, as we'll as her COM
panion. barefooted; and such mass Of
sDarled golden hair as streamed about
her shoulders, ! never saw before or
since.
Nelly" cried the black-eyed little
one. lust see those applesl'
Nelly, SO called, stopped playing with
= great sagacio us-looking dog which
accompanied them, and sprang upon
tie bars to the entrance to my orchard,
at sight of the little bare feet on the
rough wood covered with "splinters,
but the child did not seem to be incon-
Fenienced.
by iingnl" she cried; Saint they
nice. Mag?'
The romance Of my youthful beauties
was spoiled, but was still interested.
who owns 'em?" asked Mag.
Don't know; let's have some"
"Can' t--they'l ii see us from the house."
Yves Mays laconic answer, as she
whirled o willow stick In the air, and
listened to the whlrring noise it made. |
They won't tonight" said Nelly.
Here was pretty pair OF plunderers
to contemplate pretty little girls Of |
dozen years the thought Of dogs, |
guns and traps was infamous in such q |
case. What was to be done?s
''They won't tonight, Mag" repeat
ed Nelly, dropping down from the bars
TO Q place beside her companion.
Let's" she added, significantly.
Maggie went nearer to the bars, and |
the two girls, putting their heads to-
gether, talked In whispers. AS they
whispered and gesticulated, the great |
black eyes Of Mag suddenly fell upon |
me, and with a start she alarmed her |
companion. The little witches were
about running away, but stepped for
ward and addressed them:
Let US have some apples, girls" I
Two pairs Of bright eyes scanned my
race, land then my dress OF coarse summer
cloth-a pair OF overalls drawn over my
pantaloons, for had been at work in
my garden. At last Nelly seemed to
come toa conclusion regarding my iden-
tity.
1--WE can't get them" she said, shyly.
1.-THE man what owns 'em might
catch US, added Mag.
They evidently thought me some
rough fellow-their equal In social posi-
zion. Determined to have some fun l
said:
"But he wouldn't see us tonight. I
know him, and he does not keep any
night
The girls looked at each other and
then at me.
'sThey are prime apples, said Nelly,
apparently quite assured.
THE walls awful low," added Mag.
"Weli. Til tell you what we'll do,
girls. Tonight about s o'clock come up /
TO the oak yonder and meet me, and to-
gether we'll have feast Of apples. Will {
fou Gomez"
There was a little hesitation, but the t
Onsent of the wild little romps was |
'aIned at last, and after awhile they
sftme. They we're true to their word :
bout IS O'Clock that evening l found t
hern waiting for me under the oak in :
by moonlight. q
II was foolish-a supremely ridiculous | i