Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-11-18
There was some fashions that went the rounds

There was some fashions that went the rounds
one was to carry silk handkerchief in the
tail pocket, and let it hang out quarter of g
ward. Alex carried a white one, but most Of
them were red or yellow. They wore home
spun, mostly. Perhaps l had better tell you
how Sam Bowles was dressed, for he had on a
bran new suit that night. His coat was Of
blue homespun, fulled and dressed, made with
large collar that stood high in the neck, and
small sleeves that pinched at the elbows; a
yellow waistcoat, rather long you would think
it now, and we'll open at the breast, to show
his ruffled shirt of homemade linen. The
collar to it was so very stiff and fashionable
that it reached to his ears, and made it diff.
cult to turn his head without drawing it down
little Tied around it, with long ends, was
red silk handkerchief, and another one
hung from the pocket of his swallow.tailed
coat. We all thought he looked nice, and
Mandy Smith was real proud of him. But
some way, Alex. lseked, better, though his
clothes were not new; but they had differ
ent set and he looked easier in them, and they
were Of finer make and material, while his
ruffles were edged with real thread lace.
"The table was laid in the long kitchen,
and they all sat down but Ellen Doolittle and
me, and we waited on the table. When |
passed the tea to Alex and asked him if he
took cream and sugar.. he said gently, Yes,
Rue and l felt happier than l had for a
long time.
"Mother made lots of excuses, and they all
told how good everything tasted, but then,
says they, Miss Amey always does beat any.
thing in cookin',' and mother said she was al
ways poor cook and grew poorer instead of
better. She didn't mean to tell a falsehood ;
she only wanted to be polite, and that was
the way then. Father told his bear story,
and the Judge his wildcat story, and the
Squire about his courtship. His wife, I re-
member, kept saying, There, there, Father,
that will do She was nice old lady, but l
always liked the Squire best.
"After supper the old folks went into the
keeping room and we girls cleared away and
washed the dishes, and then we played games
in the kitchen. Blind mans Buff Hunt
the Slipper and. by and by, Button
"Alex went around with it and when he
came to me and said, Hold fast all l give
you,' he slipped little note into my hand. l
held it fast you may be sure Adaline Smith
got the button that was considered COM
pliment and she was real pleased, but didn't
care. My letter was worth more than but
ton.
~ slipped away, after while, into mothers
bedroom to read it. Dear me, my child, |
can't think of it now, after all these years,
without that glow at my heart. 1t was man.
ly and tender and loving, and it was my first
love letter. He asked me to marry him at
Thanksgiving time, for then he was going
home and he wanted to show his wife to his
father and mother His wife how sweet
that sounded 1t was real love, Alex and l
had for each other.
II cried softly to myself, when I read it, for
joy and wonder, and thought to myself I
would never grieve or fret him again. Just
then Thankful came in to lay down her baby,
and when she saw that had been crying, she
came and put her arm around me and said,
what is it? Tell Thankful So told her,
and she seemed pleased. knew if Thankful
was pleased then Alex was worthy.
"She talked to me and said 1 must be wo-
manly and leave off my childish freaks ;
and then when Alex met us at the door she
put my hand in his. She didn't dare to trust
me, and perhaps it is we'll she didn't
"'Is it mine ?" he asked.
"'Ask Jerusha,' said she, and then went
out and shut the door, leaving Alex and me
in the little entry. He held my hand and
somehow wasnt afraid when he told me how
we'll he loved me, and wanted me to be his
wife. No matter about the rest. I can't
seem to remember. Twas too happy. But I
know promised to marry him Thanksgiving
day, just seventy years ago."--Portland
Transcript.