Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1879-11-06

anu WulIe you Ie ooouo io' No-'
said Pigsince, "you might as we'll tell
us how you happened to. remain a
bachelor.
II havo had some experience in
these matters" said Tom, "and two
narrow escapes; and | may say that,
as I was once in love with two wom-
en- at once, with this subject Porrln-
ger is full"
"Spill over, .then," said Pigsince,
"and let us ketch the drops" I.
II think I was about twenty two,
returned Tom Porringer, "when | first
began to feel as if wanted a partner
in this world of woe. And when |
found myself sighing every time |
looked at pretty woman, l thought
that it was high time that something
should be done.
Like an honorable young man.
said the deacon.
-"Of course, like an honorable
young mani replied Parringer;
Though perhaps you won't think it
was exactly honorable for me to begin
in the way I did. I courted two girls;
but didn't marry either Of en-
"Oh!' groaned Che deacon.
"But suppose that wa better than
to marry both; wasn't it,
ain course, that would have been
bigger-me, or bigger than-me, as the
lawyers call it," replied the deacon, =,
looking wise, to the pumpkins.
II first met Roxanna Pandy and
Thankful Bollls at a fancy ball; and
in those days could shake leg with
the best Of them. And they were
both very pretty creatures, | must say;
and, to this day, bless me if / can tell
which was the lovelier! | was tall, if
not handsome; and what l lacked in
beauty, made. up in 6re-at least
they seemed to think go; for, before
the ball was over, | made them both
Jealous of each other, aud everybody
else Jealous Of me. l Was too atten-
tive to the n for my own good; and
when | went home in the mornip g,
my head was full Of Pandy and Bolli;.
don't see any such girls now-a-
days"
Gas good fish,
Never mind that, deacon you
never saw them. | cannot do justice
to their beauty, even now, when dis
tance lends enchantment to the view;
and will only say, that Roxanna was
of tall, slight, graceful figure, with
wonderful dark hazel eyes, great ami
nation, and quick and witty in con-
versation; while Thankful was less in
stature, but plump as partridge in
berry.time, with heavenly blue eyes
and golden ringlets-easy in her
manners, subdued, loving, languishine
and lazy. They were both about
twenty; and, after further aclualnt'
ance, wavered between them for 6
long time-telling them both that
loved them, which was true.
Good gracioual'' calculated the
deacon; "but which did you love the
best?'
"That I never could find out my
self They were widely different; bu
, their charms were too equally bal
anced. and l might have been a ru
ined Porringer-but chance saved me
Blessed be the chanee'
'"What happeued?' asked the dea
con, eagerly.
"a great fair. Each thought
was solely devoted to herself; ane
each was burning to 60 to the fan
with me. If | had gone with both
there would have been an enl to my
secret. If had gone with one, the
;, other would have been sure. to bt
tbere-and then there would have
been scene of torn bonnets, sure, anc
so l deprived myself Of the pleasure
might have had, if | had had but one
string to my bow. l excused mysel
and went alone"
(To be continued)
Temper,