The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-07-18
A Bachelors WOOing.

How charming it is to reside in the
country during the summer, away
from the tolls and turmoilS of city life.
Thinking thus, | found myself one
May afternoon on the porch OF my
family inheritance, as the door WAS
opened 10y my new tenant, John
Austin.
lie invited me into the old parlor,
asking me to remain there for d few
moments, and then stepped into an
All Joining apartment, " here a colloquy
ensued, OF which l only heard the
steady tones of Mr.. Austin. Presently
the o. was opened. and my host
informed me that | was welcome to
be their LOGGER for the season.
Meantime | had not been idle. |
looked at the quaint chairs set regu-
larly about the room, the square
angied sofa, the high mantle piece and
It's array OF solemn t~rlties, silver CAN
dIestIcks, and a little DIRK basket ana
a tiny tumble, which | supposed
might belong TO d little girl. l hoped
To Ind this same child a Very agreea-
bic companion. 80 L did.
Now that | am fairly installed in my
new home, l intend To write Il journal.
1 ain gong TO write just What | see,
Oh hear or feel. l haven't tound out
who that little girl is yet.
June 81 was wondering what |
should put III my journal first, when |
solved the problem that had been
puZzling my brain for the last few
days-who that little girl was.
Il haven't seen your little girl yet"
l remarked at breakfast time to Nh.
Austin.
NO, sir she has been quite busy"
All goes to school, Toes she:'
"Oh, no sir, She went to "a boarding
school last season, but she Is to stay at
home this year. Education is very
expensive here.
1 retired TO my room and engaged
IN i long revere. Then | at adjourned
TO the back window that overlooked
the back yard. Under a cherry tree
which stood there vas all ironing
table, a basket OF clothes, and a small,
girlish figure engaged III ironing. She
was slender, and wore a clean but
faded calico dress, that yet LOOKED
comedy, fitted to such d rounded shape.
Her han Mas thrown back from nel
lace, and held by a net over its rebel
ious waves. Can this be the Lutte
glrl!" | am all impatlence to inc
out.
June ga whole fortnight has
passed without a record-at least OIL
paper. A new element has entered
INTO the household IL the person oI
little Jake-Nancy, IA hired help!
chlld-abouJ tour years old, with hal.
lat is Almost wool, yet fails III respec
to color.
Olive, the little girl,"-to tell tn,
truth, she is eighteen-has "a fine voic,
and sings in the choir at the village
church. The druggists clerk is TIL,
basso OF the choir, and seems to feel /
incumbent upon hIm to accompan,
the girl home. He is rather goo,
looking, but L think L had better go t.
The choir meeting, To bring her home
as h might toxic d fancy To this MI
Lee, and she Is too young to be think
ing OF these things-quIte too young
Not that | am SO very old myself
twenty-siX that would not sound oil
IN speaking of amy one else-but
suppose that 1T seems very old to Olive
L AIN only IA friend, who cares TO
her very much as the iairest an
purest flower that ever bloomed.
M If she will come out and hel
Jake and me to raise "a kite tomorrow
Jake Is to ask her. She will be SUI
&c say no" to me.
june 2l.-We flew that kite.