The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-05-24

with all my dignity, my noble hus-
tell you about it.
SO said the wife of one of our most
eloquent Eastern divines in answer to
the remark of dear friend who was
spending an evening with her, at the
beautiful and elegant parsonage home.
The following is the story she told:
was born and brought up in Il -four
ishing city of the West, and although it
was but few hours ride to the shady
groves and sunny farms of the country,
| had grown to the threshold of woman
on the occasion of my Uncle Johns first
trading visit to our city, new railroad
having diverted the grain market from
its old course, that my first visit was de-
termined upon. He lived thirty miles
from the city, right out in the woods
as he assured us; and you may believe it
was a grand adventure for me.
The first week a reception was given
in my honor y neighboring farmer,
my uncle's new commodious country
residence being at the time in an I'M
finished condition. 1t was q "country
dance, and some of the country customs
into which was initiated that evening
were truly astonishing to me. About
eleven O'Clock, at the time when those
living near made their adieuX. those
living ut a distance being invited. with
myself, to remain all night, | observed
that most of the young ladies became
very weary, and dropped off, one by one,
into remote corners; then the tallow can
dies, as they burned out, We're left unre
plenished, till at last only the light from
the capacious fireplace showed me that
each laSsie III the corner had been rein
forced by laddie who seemed lust to
her mind Judging by the close proximity
which they assumed toward each other.
Just then Cousin Will-who was only
cousin by courtesy my aunt being his
stepmother-came to me and asked if lie
could sit up with me that evening.
Not exactly knowing what he meant,
but determined to see it through. | con-
sented, and we took our seats just in
front of the fast expiring fire.
Cousin Will began by assuring me of
the great pleasure it gave him to know
personally one of whom he had heard so
much: our conversation, i'll common with
that of all the other couples. being car
ried on i'll an undertone, to prevent con-
fusion probably. After while the flame
on the hearth gave a flicker and expired:
and just then | felt Wills arm passed
quietly around my waist.
80, no. thought |, this is part of
the programme | had not anticipated
but | will see if | cannot give little
light on the subject, and find out if the
custom is general So, without rcpuls-
ing him. gave a sly poke at the fore
stick with the toe of my slipper, and
brilliant flame shot up: at the same time
| felt Wills arm suddenly removed. and
noticed suspicious ilutter among other
couples within the radius Of the illumi-
nation.
then complained of being cold-of
course | was chilly or | should not have
been so solicitous about the tire-and de
clared my intention Of retiring. which
had the effect, | being the belle of break
ing the party up at least two hours sooner
than usual | have no doubt. All. that
winding up spark, as they called it.
was quite a novelty to me; but | soon
saw through it. my dear, sooner perhaps.
llldH "dS lHltUttt ny INC ultl Ol Ull1C
blazing chunk.
But this was not the last of Cousin
Will by any means. for his fine bay horse
became quite frequent visitor at my
uncle's stable. He was SPLENDID fell
low. cousin VIII | mean, not the
horse or, as old Professor Specimen of
our natural science class would have
said. a most perfect animal as far as
form and features Wprp rDprprnpI R,,t
alas! the intellect. the best part of our
order of the animal kingdom was utterly
unframed. In other words. Cousin Will
was an unmitigated greenhorn But.
you probably know by experience. my
dear. how hard it is for most young
ladies, real natural young ladies-I do
not mean the old young ladies-to get
along without the admiration of the
other sex. Well, | am afraid | cncoul-
aged Cousin VIII to somewhat higher
aspirations than | was just exactly pre-
pared to answer: for lie was. by far.
superior to any other young man whom
| met at my uncle's, and the result was
just as you have foreseen, perhaps: If |
did not fall in love with him he made up
for all deficiencies on my part by falling
desperately in love with me.
1t was the night before my departure
for home and when viii called as usual
my uncle's family, as if by common con-
sent found other occupation for their
time, and thus left us in solitary posses
sion of the ''best room
. am so sorry you are going away
he began; Il don't see how shall ever
get along without you Sadie
My uncle's folks called me Sarah. but
had taught VIII to use the less plain
tliminutive.
''Oh, | guess that will be easily man
aged | replied. in as light toae as |
could summon. for | scented a proposal.
and really liked VIII too well to mortify
him by refusal. And what figure he
would cut among my city friends, to be
sure. with his mcouth manners and
decidedly provincial vernacular.
But although VIII was what the Hon.
Augustus FitZ Fanfoodle would have
denominated - decidedly, aw out of style.
you know" yet he had spirit brave
and strong enough to face any fate and
conquer it, too, generally. So all my
maneuvers, which would have thrown a
city gallant entirely h0rs du comJat, only
precipitated matters in his case, for he
looked me gravely i'll the face and said
rs he took my hand-he had never pre-
huliitt upon amy SGctlcl ldlHllidlltI Since
the lessen | gave him at the party-'I
will not allow you to put me Off with
trifling. Sadie; love you, and although
| know you have known it all along. |
do not choose to let You leave the neigh
borhood without hearing it in words. III
plain kings English, if you please. that
cannot be misunderstood. even if.it is
pretty well haggled i'll pronunciation.
Oh, how angry | was. To think he
had not only completely foiled me in my
attempt at throwing him off, but he had
also etfectually closed the door of my
escape from the charge Of Irritation
Then, Cousin WILL" | cried my
cheek burning with resentment and
chagriu, you must be a great goose to
suppose would have encouraged such
presumption: for you must know yourself
that it is nothing else for an untutored
country boy like you to aspire to the
society into which | would have to intro
duce you. Why, you must be out Of
your head to think that | would ever
waste one serious thought on Il man who
could stick down on farm and content
himself to be BOBBY" when the
world is 50 wide and SO full of linowl-
edge
This by way Of balm for the wound
my refusal gave him. But when |
thought to humilate him. | rcckoncd
without my host, for VIII heard me
through quietly, and then said, as he
arose and took his hat from the old-fash-
toned bureau: Well Sadie. make no