The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-09-24
BOB CRAFTS COURTS!1IP.

of which the narrators themselves
held the most conspicuous position.
In the number was one about Bob
Grant and his Courtship. give it
just as l received it, as near as
possible:
"Your story reminds me of one
Bob Grant, whom I once knew, and
I may say with whom l was very in- |
innate" said the old gentleman to
whom am indebted for the 'yarn."
"Bob was a queer fellow, and rather
green withal, and what was still
worse, very bashfuI when among the
ladies. One day I gave him lee.
ture about his stupidity-told him it
would never do-that he vas rapidly
approaching that period when he
would be looked upon as an old
bachelor, and be despised by all the
gentler sex. saw it made deep
impression upon him, SO l went on:
"'You had better drop those old
bachelor notions, Bob, and get you
wife, before it is eternally and ever
Iastingly too latc!"
"Bob blushed deeplY-looked in
all directions, to see that no third
person was in hearing, and then said:
"'To tell you the truth, Arch, ]
have been thinking something about
that matter; but who is there that l
could get to have me7'
"'Pshaw! you are talking nonsense
now,' said I. There are plenty of
them, If you would only scrape up
courage enough to ask them. For
instance, there's Nell Stinson-how
would she suit1'
"'She'd suit to a T, Arch. But
you don't pretend to say that | could
get Nell; do your
"'Get Nell! Why, yes, certainly
l do; and / would not be afraid to
bet hundred dollars on it, if you'd
only try said /.
sThis was new idea to Bob, and
lie was tickled almost TO death with
il. After thinking moment, dur.
ing which time his face was illumi.
mated with one of his broadcast grins
lie ventured to ask me how would
proceed, if / were in his place and
wanted to get Nell l gave him full
directions, after which he started
home as happy as jaybird, promis'
ing to 60 and see Nell the very next
Saturday night.
Bob was as good as his word
Saturday might came, and be wen'
over to old man Stinson's. Nell was
at home, and guessing his business
made herself very agreeable. Bob:
courage raised fifty per cent; and so
as soon as the folks had retired, hi
commenced his first courtship. II
begin, he found disagreeable task
but when once the ice was broken
he felt like new creature. Mel
smiled so bewitchingly upon him
and said so many charming things
Never before had be known hours tt
, fly so rapidly, or moments to b.
spent SO pleasantly. Who coult
wonder at it2 for Nell would lean be
pretty head down on his shoulde
g when he joked her about her beaux
or about getting married. Oh, wba
dear creature he soon began t.
] think she was! How he almos
cursed himself for having passed 81
! much of his life in ignorance of sucl
, bliss.
"Before Bob had scarcely time t.
: think, and long before lie had com
to the point, the old clock strucl
', twelve, aud Nell reminded him tina
r it was time to retire.
"'But / have not told you all
wish,' said he.
"'You can come again next Satur
day night she replied with mos
= fascinating smile.
. "This was capital. Permission I
come again! He agreed to retire
D Nell told him where he could sleep
e and then, as is the custom in som
: Of the Western States, brought pc
d of warm water that he might was
? his feet. The pot was an old fasl
= toned one-big at the bottom an
little at the top-so very little at th
r top, that Bob viewed it with som
= misgivings, lest it should refuse
. admit his feet. Not feeling willin
b to call MelPs attention to the enol
J mous size of these latter. named art
!. :. cIes, he hauled off his shoes, an
t with one desperate thrust, lodge
e both feet at the bottom of the vesse
: Capital luck. thought he, as he 81