The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1879-07-23
MY COUNTRY BEAU.

aJts NV1 OVONl1tH bEAUs
with all my dignity, my noble
husband is a credit to me, you say.
Let me tell you about it."
So said the wife of one of our most
eloquent Eastern divines in answer
to the remark of a dear friend who
was spending an evening with herat
the beautiful and elegant parsonage
home. The following is the story
she told:
II was born and brought up in a
fourishing city Of the West, and
although it was but a few hours ride
to the shady groves and sunny farms
of the country, | had grown to the
threshold of womanhood ere / visited
q farm house. 1t was on the occa
sion of my Uncle Johns first trading
visit to the city, new railroad hav-
ing diverted the grain market from
its old course, that my first visit was
determined upon. He lived thirty
miles from the city, right out in the
woods as he assured lus; and you
may believeit was a grand adven-
ture'for me.
The very first week a reception,
was given in my honor by neigh
boring farmer, my uncle's new com.
amodious country residence being at
the time in an unfinished condition.
It was a country dance and some of
the country customs into which. |
was initiated that evening were tru-
ly astonishing to me. About II
o'clock, at the time when those liv-
ing near made their adieux, those
living at a distance being invited,
with myself, to remain all night, /
observed that most of the young la
dies became very weary, and drop
ped off, one by one, into remote corn
ers; when the tallow candles, as they
burned out, were left unreplenished,
till at last only the light from the
capacious fireplace showed me that
each lassie in the corner had been
reinforced by a laddie who seemed
just to her mind, Judging by the close
proximity which they assumed to.
ward each other. Just then Cousin
,Will-who was only cousin by
courtesy, my aunt being his step
mother-came to me and asked if he
could sit up with me- that evening.
Not exactly knowing what he meant
] consented, 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 of whom he had
heard SO much; our conversation, in
common with that of the other coup.
les, being carried on in an undertone,
to prevent confusion probably. AT
ter while the flame. on the hearth
gave.a last flicker and expired; and
just then 1 felt Wills arm pass qui.
etly around my waist.
oh, hol' thought l, this is a part
of the programme / had not antici.
pated; but l will see if ! can give a
light on the subject and find out if
the custom is general So, without
repulsing him, gave sly poke at
the fore.stick with the toe of my
slipper, and brilliant flame shot
up; at the same time i felt Wills
farm suddenly removed, and noticed
suspicious flutter among other coup
les within a radius Of the illumina-
ton.
| then complained of being cold
of courseI was chilly or Ishould not
have been so solicitous about the fire
and declared my intention of retir.
ing, which had the effect, 1being the
belle of the evening, Of breaking the
party up at least two hours sooner
than usual, l have no doubt. Ali
that winding up spark sas they
called it was quite novelty to mej