Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-10-17


the gate with white ribbons and bows,
and dainty dress, sufficient to bewilder
man with as stony heart as the
sphinx, and saw, approaching from the
opposite side, her foe, in immaculate
broadcloth and shirtfront. For a mo.
ment the color rushed to her checks,
and, she half resolved to go back, but
to be outdone by man, and he Pop
kins, was not TO be thought of. So she
stepped into the coach with an air OF
sixteen Queen Victorias, elevated her
head until it made an acute angle with
her nose, and became sublimely uncon-
scious of any ones presence. Mr.. Pop
kins seated himself as though he had
swallowed whole foundry and had
his pockets full of eggs for dessert
just then came Uncle Ben, putting and
blowing. utterly unconscious of the
oaths of the impatient "Jehu.'
Good morning, Miss Sallie." said
he. carefully seating himself beside her.
Good morning Mr.. Popkins. Where
might YOU be going, and what for!"
ITO Harrow" said Mr.. Popkins, in
his most polite manner, answering the
first question and ignoring the last,
'Du tell !" and the round face fairly
glowed with placid surprise. Going
to marry! Well, | told Hester last
night that that was the best way to
settle the suit after all. There amt n
more capable glrl anywhere than Sal
lie, and ] am glad you found it out
And Mr.. Popkins is wonderful clever"
turning to Sallie, land instead of there
being two farms and lawsuit, there
need be only one. Law bless me !"
rubbing his hands with increased sat
isractloa. ''if it amt a tip-top arrange
ment -
Mr.. Popkins clutched at his throat
as though he were choking 10 death,
and made spasEodic efforts 10 utter a
word of explanation. but his tongue
seemed palsied and utterly failed him
in this emergency. Miss Sallie with n
face of the deepest rose color. placed
her hand to her mouth AL shouting so
as to startle the horses, said -
IL am going TO see Mr. Stiles on
business"
Oh, day of blunders Mr.. Stiles
was her lawyer, but the unfortunate
/ girl was unaware that PRESBYTERIAN
minister had the same delightful cog
| nomen.
Mr.. stiles. indeed" said our friend.
well I've heard him well spoken of,
] hns | .NnansnI Salis. N
Baptist, 10 be married by anyone hut
a minister of your own church but
/ suppose you gave way to Mr.. Popkins,
I and | think it shows a downright good
| disposition
Miss Sallie gave up in despair, and
looked tixedly out OF the window, while
Mr.. Popkin's lips moved occasionally,
as though he were saying, ''water
water J" But the unconscious cause of
this turmoil sat serene and happy, in.
! dulging in an occasional chucklc and
knowing glance at Mr.. Popkins but
! at this moment he saw he had arrived
at his destination, and wishing his two
victims ''much happiness he lef( them.
/ The human heart is strange affair,
TO say the least of it. Had any one
/ advised Mr.. Popkins TO marry Miss
Sallie, he would have rejected the idea
Immediately. and she herself would
have taken it a. an insult; but the to-
tally unexpected manner in which the
matter had been brought up, made al
together a different affair of it. He
stole a glance at Miss Sallie. Her face
was still turned away, and she was APP
parently studying nature. She was
pretty, Mr.. Popkins could not deny
that. What if-if-and his heart gave
a tremendous bound. What a fool he
had been all this tlnel He must try
at any rate, and risk repulse. So
without any more hesitation, for our
hero was brave, he took Uncle Ben's
seat and said quietly:
Miss Sallie."
The face turned an eighteenth part
of an inch toward him. Not much en-
couragement, certainly. but little.
Miss Sallie," he repeated, "rve
been fool and brute"
Oh wise Mr.. Popkins he had start
ed on the direct way to woman 5
heart. Either from contrariness or q
sense Of justice they always take the
opposite side. Miss Sallie made up
her mind from this moment that he
was a gentleman and second Solo
mon, and she turned her face com
pletely round.
"Do you think" continued he, "that
we can settle this law suit in the sensl-
BILE manner suggested by Uncle Ben:
l do love you, Miss Sallie, and by
George. believe I've loved YOU all
the time and never knew it until to-
day"
Miss Sallie was completely van
quished; but the answer, although
whispered. was heard above the noise
of the wheels, and the cracking of the
drivers whip.
The suit of Popkins VS.. Hopkins was
dismissed that day. The Baptist min
lister got fee, and the people are firm.
ly convinced that Mr.. and Mrs. Pop
kins are The best hands in the world to
keep a secret.
AT a happy spot where a number OF
negroes reside. an old negro was heard
calling out 10 his wife: ''Manda, is YOU
got dem chickens shut up in de smoke
house. like l told yerg'' ''No; an like
Ia know what's de matter wild you. dat
you's 80 mighty ticker bout dem chickens
all at ouce:' she replied. 'Nebber YOU
mind, know what's the matter. and dat.
uuff till dem chickens is housed. When
hears dat dem niggers ober in de next yard
gwin TO bah a party tomorrow night,
wants To be shore dat my chickens doesn'
tend il; you hear meT' The chickens
we're at once locked up.
some months ago the Lord Bishop D
came to this country on visit to X :
} Dr.-.oi the Episcopal Church in New
York. The doctor instructed colored
boy iu his service to knock at the bed
room door Of the Lord Bishop early in thu
morning and say. my Lord, the boy.
Accordingly the next morning, the boy
| somewhat dazed by so much grandeur