American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-02-28

concluded to take the stage; Uncle Ben
Dropper, our deaf friend, had business
a little distance on the road, and he
would take the stage too; and MIR. Pop
kins's saddle horse fell sick just as he
was needed, and there being no time for
other arrangements, he must take the
same conveyance.
Miss Sallie came Aoeting down to the
gate with white ribbons and bows, and
dainty dress, sufficient to her':ider a man
with as stony heart as the sphinx, and
saw approaching from the opposite side
her foe, in Immaculate hrc:.dcioth and
shirt front, TOR IL moment the color
rushed to her checks, and she helf resolved
to go back but to be outdone by a man,
and he a Popkins, WAS not to BIZ thought
of, so she stepped into the coach with
an air of sixteen Queen Victorias, ele
waiting her head until it made an acute
angle with her nose, and became SUBJ
timely unconscious of any ones pres
ence. Mr.. Popkins seated himself rs
though he had swallowed y whole foam
dry, and had his pockets full of eggs for
dessert. just then came Uncle Pe,.,
putting and blowing, utterly unconscious
of the asths Of the impatient Jehu.
s'Good morning, Miss Sallie," said
he, carefully seating himself beside her.
Good morning, Mr.. Poskins. Where
might you be going, and what fofP-'
"To Harrow" said Mr.. Popkins, in
his most polite manner, answering the
first question, and ignoring the last,
"Du tell" and the round face fairly
teamed with placid surprise. Going
to marryP Well, l told Hester last
night that was the suit after al. There
amt no more capable girl any where
than Sallie, and am glad you found it
out. And Mr.. Popkins is wonderful
clever,'' turning to Sallie, and instead
of there being two farms and a lawsuit.
there need be only one, LAW, bless
mei' rubbing his hands with increased
satisfaction, "if it amt tiptop an
rangementH'
Mr.. Popkins clutched at his throat as
though he WAS choking to death, and
made spasmodic efforts to utter a word
of explanation, but his tongue was ut
terly palsied and failed him in this
emergency. Miss Sallie, with face of
the deepest rose color, placed her hand
to her mouth, and shouted SO as to star
tie the horses.
81 am gong to SEQ Mr.. Stiles on bust
ness"
Oh, day of blunders! Mr.. Stiles was
her lawyer, but the unfortunate girl was
unaware that a Presbyterian minister
had the Same dignfied cognomen.
"Mr. Stiles said our friend, " well,
I've heard him well spoken of, but l
never expected you, Sallie, Baptist, to
be married by any one but a minister of
your own church; but l suppose you
gave way to MIR. Popkins, and it shows
a downright good disposition"
Miss Sailic gave up in despair, and
looked fixedly out of the window, while
Mr.. Popkins's lips moved occasionally
as though he were asking for water, but
the unconscious cause of this turmoil sat
serene and happy, indulging in an oc-
casional chuckle and knowing glance at
Mr.. Popkins, but at this moment he saw
he had arrived at his destination, and
wishing his two victims much happi.
ness, he left them to their thoughts.
The human heart is strange affair
to say the least Of it. Had any one adj
vised Mr.. Popkins to marry Sallie. he
would have rejected the idea immediate
/ " a,J che barsalf .x-ouJJ b.ro t,Eay, !,
as an insult; but the totally unexpected
manner in which the matter had beer
brought up made altogether different
| affair of it. He stole a glance at Mis-:
Sallie. Her face was turned away, ant
she was apparently studying nature
She was pretty; Mr.. Popkins couldn'
deny that. What-if-and his hear
gave tremendous bound. What foo
he had been all this time! We mus
try, at any rate, and risk repulse. 81
without any more hesitation, for on
d hero was brave, he took Uncle Ben
seat and said, quietly:
"Miss Sallie."
The face turned the eighteenth part O
an inch toward him. Not much encour
4
| agement certainly, but little.
"Miss Sallie,'' he repeated, CIV
been fool and brute''
Oh, wise Mr.. Popkinsi he had starte
on the direct road to a woman's heart
Either from contrariness or a sense @
justice they always take the opposit
side. Miss Sallie made up her min
from this moment that he was gentle
, man and Solomon, and she turned he
face completely round for him to ad
/ mire.
"Do you think" he continued, ''tha
, we can settle this lawsuit in the sensibl
manner suggested by Uncle Ben? 1 d
love you, Miss Sallie, and by George
believe loved you all the time, an
never knew it till to-day"
| Miss Sallie was completely var
pushed, but the..answer, although wills
pered, was heard above the noise of tn
wheels and the cracking of the driver
, whip.
The suit of Popkins VS.. Hopkins wa
dismissed that day. The Baptist mir
, lister got a fee, and the people wer
firmly convinced that Mr.. and Mrs. POI
! kins are the very best hands in III
t world to keep secret.
Moss Gatherers.
| T1~ nf frodn ho