Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1879-11-13
Mfio,,,
POrringer's Two Lovers.

hE II a. AAAA Ia cNA>s
"And they stayed at home, and
cried all day, l suppose, poor thingsT
said the deacon-for the toddy made
him feel gallant.
"Not at all" said Tom Porringer
angrily. Both went-and with other
beauxl l saw them there, to my an.
ger and surprise, having a fine time
with their fellows-laughing and
chatting so happily, and ncdding at
me so indlfferently. that | sneaked
home, and wished l could crawl into
a cockle-shell and die"
"And SO you gave them both up at
once?"
"No, didn't! I became jealous
now, and thought all the more OF
them: and became almost distracted
by the thought that | must hurry up
my cakes, and choose quick between
the two, or have neither; and which
should | have? ! made my peace
with each, on tie day after the fair,
and promised never to refuse either
any ythiug they should ask of me; and
| suppose the mnxes took advantage
Of this-for I had very little peace
with them after that
did you divide your time equally
between thela?'
"pretty much" said Porringer.
Give me another toddy; feel faint!'
He drank, and continued:
al did intend to see Roxanna, Mon.
DAYS, Wednesdays. and Fridays, and
Thankful, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
Saturdays. Sunday evenings, | re-
served to myself, to mediate and
mourn. But found this plan i'm
possible. o my friends; | atonel for
the sin of'my deception most bitterly
| sometimes made each Of my enchan.
tresses two visits apiece in one eve.
ming
II don't see how you could stand
it, said Pigsincs, who was not much
of lady's man, "any way"
Jealousy made me stand it, said
Porringer. "For instance-whlls
was cozily seated with Roxanna, ad'
miring her dark eyes and witty con
versatlon, and thinking what happy
dog l was to enjoy so much love, |
would wonder if it was possible thai
any other fellow in the world was en-
joying a like amount; and suddenly
would wrthe under the suspicion
that. perhaps, that very moment
Thankful was Icing courtod by tina
other fellow saw at the fairl Th'
imagination was madness!
Excuse me- l would say to Rox
anna, starting up, and putting on my
hat; but have forgot a very impor
tant matter of business, which mus
be attended TO right off, Don't hin
der me; and I will come tomorrow
night, to make up
"Shs would look very disappointed
but l would go directly and speedily
l promise you, to Thankfuls house
and, to my delight, found she was al
right-bless her blue form and plump
little eyes-blue eyes and plump lit
tie form. Perhaps l would stay the
evening out with Thankful, and b.
quiet; and, perhaps, while she was ca
ressing me, the same demon Of jeal
, ousy would be after me again; and
regretting that | had given Roxanns
such a chance with that other fai
fellow-now that | found Thankful
was all right would make The same
apology to Thankful that | had mad'
to Roxanna, and then post off to see i
she was taking advantage of me"
"Ha, hal" roared his hearers.
II should have thought it wouf(
have kept you in sweat all th'
time" suggested the deacon, "Ant
did you always find the lovely crea
lures bang up?'
Bang up?"
"All right, l mean
Porringcr paused moment, an
then solemnly said ITO tell tn
truth did not!