The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-09-09

"But before Petrarch could reply
there appeared in the doorway
great stalwart negro, and behind him
two or three others who appeared to be
urging him forward with nudges and
whispers and encouraging digs in the
ribs. The fellow twisted peaked old
tan-colored felt hat between his fingers,
and appeared half dead with embarrass-
ment. He wore the most comical ex-
preston of bashfulness you ever saw in
your life. 1t would not have been so
funny if he had not been such great
strapping dog but as he Jagged at the
door, and twisted his shoulder, and
hung his head, and almost tore his old
hat in pieces, the other negros laughed
outright, and L must confess L joined
them. 1 soon understood that the fell
low belonged to neighboring planta-
tlon, and was here to ask OTIS permis-
sion TO come counting on his premises.)
"Ot looked solemn as an owl We'll,
Jack Y'
&C Sarvant, Mars Ot.'
"Ot looked at Jack, and Jack looked
at OF, and the negroes looked at them
both, and nudged each other and gig
gled. Finally, Jack looked down at the
floor, fairly wringing his old hat with
embarrassment, and broke into laugh
which betrayed an expanse of scarlet
gums and white teeth truly appalling.
"' What's your will if you had it,
Jack p asked OF.
"' Oh, that's what you're after, is it p
asked OF; and turning to the cook,
added, Step out, Aunt Fanny Jack
wants you.'
There was shout of laughter, and
Aunt Fanny's fat sides shook as she an
swered contemptuously, 'Lor,' Mars Otl
L done spank dat niger too often for
stealin' biskit outen de ubben am
foolin' roun' my kittles an pans
'Tain't me he's arter.'
&C" Who is it, Jack ?"
Well, Mars Ot,' said Jack, who,
having made the plunge and survived
the shock, spoke with renewed conf
dence in himself we'll, Mars, OF, eff l
had my ruthers, L ruther have Lucin-
dy'
GO Let Lucinda appear, said OF, sol
emnly.
Whereupon posse of curious house
maids, with feigned vivacity and litter
ing haste, went to fetch Lucinda.
&C Lucinda said OF, as the dusky
maid appeared with dropping head and
sidelong glance, half willing, half
afraid-'Lucinda, Jack wants to marry
Aunt Fanny
'Lor,' now, Mars Otl Lucindy, she
know better'n dat, demonstrated Jack
with reassuring glance toward his fair.
GO Me, sir p said Lucinda scornfully
to OF Me, sirp No, sir. amt no
eruverjeckshunsir,' running her
words together and ostentatiously turn
ing her back on jack; specially eff
Aunt Fanny, she al MT
"' didn't mean Aunt Fanny: Jack
says it is you he wants.
oh, pshor now, Mars OF and Lu-
cinda seemed attempting to escape from
the OBTAINING hands of her sister-house-
hAo'iuSi puV, "ooohOu POl maps Ny JaSh
tender glances, she ran in every direc-
ton except toward the open door.
"' You see, Jack, you had better go
home, said OF, resuming his paper (Lu-
cinda did not run so FAST, 'or, better
still, suppose you take one of the others?'
(They all let go Lucinna, and she might
have run as fast as she pleased.)
=" Jack confusedly turned his hat in
side out, and virtually rejected this offer,
so OF continued: Take yourself off
now, Jack and you are not to come on
my plantation. Don't show your face
here again; do you understand p
The crowd looked on in dismay, for
it had been understood that Jack and
Lucinda were to be married during the
Christmas holidays.
"Ot continued: Il won't have you
bothering the women-folk and spelling
their Christmas; so take yourself off,
and don't come back again. Does that
suit you, Lucinda p
Lucinda bit the corner of her apron,
and dolefully made answer, 'Jes,' as
you say, Mars Ot.'
Oh no: it shall be just as you say.
I've no objection to Jack myself
"'An' Pm sure I've no manneruver-
jeckshun to his comm on de planta-
shun, Mars OF. He amt sp'ilin' OF
nothin', as knows on it; and Lucinda