Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-08-14
A Short WOOing.

=
One bright June day, more than &
hundred years ago, Parson Miliechamp
with his pretty daughter on a pillior
behind him, rode down a pleasant
Shropshire road, on their way to Pow
vscourt The latter had been for somt
time deeply engrOssed in her OWL
thoughts, while her father seemed
deeply cogitating as he guided his
handsome bay horse over highway
which certainly owed little or nothing
10 surveyors or commissioners. Ii was
almost overgrown with grass, scanned
with deep cart-ruts, and plentifully
sprinkled with stones.
But it was not the less pretty or pie
turesque for that. The high hedges
with the spreading trees growing from
out them, were in the fulness of theiI
midsummer beauty, and shaded the
wayfarers from the sun. The pale
briar-rose waved its delicate branches
over them. and the honey-suckle made
the air luscious with its sweetness,
There was a chirping of birds, bleet-
ing of lambs. and a buZZing of bees.
Now and again the voices of haymak-
ers were heard in the distance, and a
whiff from the bayfield, almost over
powered the scent of the honey-suckle.
IL was perfect June day, and yet
Henrietta sighed
Her father heard it, and (penitenl
for his long silence turned to look al
her.
My dear" he said, "we seem but
poor company this morning"
We'll. father | was wondering
whether this going as companion tC
Lady Powys is for the best. Mother
thought | ought to see little more OF
life-our place being so quiet; but I'm
sure | did very well at heme. She II
miss me sorely, I'm afraid-especially
in the dairy and over the clear starch
ing"
She must stir Deborah up" said
the parson, land make your sister Polly
useful. Polly's quite old enough td
help now"
Yes-but you know Deborah is not
oyerburrhened with wit, and mother
doesn't like teaching. Shed always
rather do a thing herself. Father,
be sure to send for me if she seems td
want me back"
.sTo be sure child; but you know
you're only going for few months.
There's Bobby, too. | don't know
how he'll get on with his lessons with
out me-"
.Make YOUR mind easy, Ettie-Bobby
shan't suffer. But child, while you
have been wondering how we can get
on without YOU, have been wondering
whether you will be able TO take care oi
yourself. You can't help Knowing, |
suppose, that you have a very pretty
face of your own. You'll find plenty
of people where you are going ready
enough TO praise it even more than IL
deserves. You must take compliments
lust for what they are worth, my dear.
Remember, Handsome is as handsome
does -
Father said Henrietta, with
slight pout. You need not fear bit
about my head being turned by compli-
ments. You know it's not my way.
Don't be too sure Forewarned Is
forearmed.' One of these days, how
ever, | shall hope to see you the happy
wife of some good man."
I'm sure YOU would be very sorry
to be rid of me, father, if that time came.
But am not one of those girls who are
anxious about being married. In fact,
[ believe, if folks would only think it,
they're generally better off single. You
know refused Squire Hassall? To be
sure. | couldn't abide the man''
Your mother and | get on pretty
we'll together | Think said the par
son, smiling.
Yes, sir, but you are amongst the
exceptions" answered Henrietta,
graveIy. "And you must own, daddy,
that YOU and mother are often sorely
puzzled to make all ends meet. But 4
was especially thinking" she contin-
ued, after a moments pause, "of poor
Cousin Anne, whose husband can't say
BOZ to a goose. | would be ashamed
TO 90 about with such stupid man IL
would not be in my nature to put up
with it."
My DEAR" said her father, laugh
ing, "you must learn to bear and for
bear, if yeu marry. But | am sure L
do not wish TO persuade you to marry" ="
Henrietta Millechamp is a very
good name, father, and have no wish
whatever to change it. Grandmother
saws I'm the most sensible girl she
knows"
Il am very glad to hear it, child; and
am sure neither your mother nor L
want to part with our spoiled little lass,
now she has grown to be sensible and
helpful"
By this time they had emerged from
the old road, and were trotting along a
newer and more open one. The heat,
for it was now twelve O'Clock, was in
tense; and ere long the parson pulled