The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-07-13
Why I Didn't Marry.

You see l was nineteen years old before
thought of such thing as marrying.
was too bashful by half. never used to
kiss a girl at huslings or quilting frolics
without feeling as if some one was pouring
hot water down my back; and once, when
Il neighbor's daughter stayed at our house
til nine in the evening q believe she did it
On purpose, too, and my father insisted
that l should so home with her, went out
into the barn and cried an hour before I
could make up my mind to 60 in and ask
her the awful question.
The girls used to laugh at me some but
after all they seemed very willing to help
me along; and 80, when my nineteenth
birthday came, looked at myself in tho
glass, and saysI:
"Josiah, it's no use; you're darned good
looking, and you might have any girl you
wanted. You ought to go accounting.
suppose you begin to-nlght7''
From that moment the idea got into my
head and there it stayed.
dressed up and went to church, lust as
always did, but l couldn't attend to the
minister, nor the sermon. l sat mighty
uneasy, and father watched ME out of the
corner of his eye though he never said
word. He knew plaguy we'll what was
thinking Of, for he'd been there himself!
Deacon Billings pew was right IN front
of ours, ind he had just tho prettiest girl
for daughter that ever wore bonnet. I
watched her awhile that day. and COLI
cluded liked the way she managed things
pretty we'll. So. after supper, thinks l.
"Ill 60 over to the old deacon's and see
how they're getting along"
Father saw mo sprucing up, but he
didn't say anything, only gave mo Won
derful cunning look.
When i got to the deacon's, they were
all out In the kitchen but Rachel, and she
was In the square room and so after had
talked spoil with the old lady, she asked
me in there and left us all alone. bla'am
Billings knew what was what, [ can tell
you.
Rachel she was sitting up by the window,
singing ''Old Hundred" She did't look
very good-natu1cd; hut when I came in
she frightened up wonderfully, and began
to talk about tho sermon, anG the minister,
and everything else that you can think of.
My gracious How a woman's tongue
eau 60 when it gets started If Rachcl's
didn't ache that night shall lose my guess.
The old deacon brought us in some ap-
pies and butternuts, and q pitcher of cider,
and then told Rachel to cover up the fire
when she went to bed.
The old man always was sleepy headed
kind of thing, and in about ten minntes
afterwards heard HIM snoring away as If
he was on wager.
Rachel's two little brothers went up stairs
to bed, and one of thom yelled out, right
by the square room door:
Josh Jenkins Is accounting our Rache
Josh Jenkins is accounting our Rachel"
His mother came along and boxed his
ears, and he changed his tune pretty quick.
l looked at Rachel. Her face was as
red as mahogany table, and her mouth
kept a quirking, as If she wanted to laugh
and daren't l swowl she looked pretty
enough to eat
We'd got pretty sociable by this time,
and 80 hitched my chair up alongside of
hers. She didn't say anything, bnt looked
down on the floor and began to play with
string Of gold beads sho wore on her
neck.
"Let mo tie them," says I, slipping my
arm over her shoulder.
''rhey ain't united, and you m,1sn't hug
me- says she.
''Oh, pshawl" says l, getting a little
nearer; "that isn't anything. You sec |
can't talk to you without rest my arm Oh
something"
She laughed as If she would die.
'You'ro queer follow" says she; "but
If you will put your arm there, can't help
1t; only you mustn't hug mo, nor kiss me"
hadn't been locking ahead quito so far
as that; but seeing she spoke about 1t,
thought might as well try 1t. SO got
up little closer still, and just as she looked
up to speak kissed her.
She lodged away after 1t was all over
and boxed my ears; but she didn't strike
very hard, and after q little while tried it
again.