The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-12-23

''Now, Robert" expostulated Aunt
Katie, "what put such nonsense in your
head tonight
"It's only the sacred truth" Uncle
Bob protested; "she was my first sweet
heart. and her name was Katie"
''The same as auntie's," interrupted
little Dan.
"Jest so" said Uncle Bob. "That's
what they call coincidence"
The big word reduced little Dan to ST.
lence, and Uncle Bob proceeded:
'Kahes father was the richest man in
the settlement. He had moved out early,
had helped fight the Indians, had been
sent to the Legislature, was Justice of
the Peace, and owned more than thous
and acres of land. We called him the
Squire.
"Katie and me had been as good as
engaged for couple of years; but, you
see, was too sheepish to speak to the
Squire. WANTED Katie to do it, but she
said it wasn't none of her place, and so
matters stood.
SAT last sniptious looking .chap-his
name was Sam Tibbetts-come out and
started store and grocery OF the cross
roads. He wore store clothes and had
long curly hair, which he kept oiled to
such m extent rs disguised all the fell
lers and enchanted all the gals.
"None of us had any chance when he
was about. 1t was nobody but MIR. Tib.
belts. He cut us all ont by turns. If
you took gal to meetin' or to singin'
school, expectin' to see her homo, jest as
you slept up at the close OF the exercises
to offer her your arm, ten to one but Mr.:
Tibbetts would scrouge in ahead, and
your gal would walk off with him, leavin'
you the mitten.
"He came it over the Squire by
agreein' with him in politics, especially
on the wolf-scolp bounty question:; so't
when he begun to pay attention to Katie,
the Squire looked pleased like.
"I don't know if Katie wanted to make
me Jealous, SOS to bring me to the pint;
anyhow, she seemed to take a shine to
Mr.. Tibbetts, which drove me half mad.
I'd thrashed that gentle youth outer
his paten' leather boots, but he was allus
SO polite that there want no decent way
O. quar'lin' with him. -
''But you're long while comm to the
bear, Uncle, put in little Dan.
"We're almost at him now," said Uncle
Bob.
''Nancy Hopkins gave quiltin' and
everybody was invited The gals was to
quilt the quilt durin' the day, and the
boys was to come and dance with til em
in the evenin' md then see 'em home.
"I went over to the 'Squire's to engage
Katie, but she said, with o sassy look,
she was much .ableeged-Mr. Tibbetts
had just been there afore me. The end
of it was that ] went away in the sulks,
and didn't go to the quiltin' at all.
"Well, that night, as Mr.. Tibbetts was
seein' Katie home, they was walkin'
along, talkin' po'try about the moon,
which was three-quarters full and shinin'
down bright, what do you think como
bulgin' out into the path right afore
'em?"
''The bear!" exclaimed little Dan, ex-
citedly.
''Tie bear !" echoed little Fannie, turn
ing pale.
"Well, yes, SaIo Uucle boD, ~ WIS
a big black bear. He give one fierce
erowl. and Mr.. Tibbetts, jerkin' his arm
loose from Katie, took to his heels and
run for dear life. He didn't holler
murder! for fear the beard hear him
and take him at his word"
ssTle big coward!" muttered little
Dan. clenching his tiny fists.
$50 he was, said uncle Bob.
ssBut poor Miss Katie?" inquired little
Fannie, from whose eyes the tears began
to drop.
"7he bear" continued Uncle Bob,
growing excited as he neared the climax
Of his story, ''jest r'ared up Oh end,
cotched hold of Katie with his fore paws,
hugged her to his shaggy breast, and
give one bound, carryin' her off into the
forest!''
Little Fannie sobbed. Little Dams
eyes flashed, but in spite Of him, were
full of tears.
"Oh! Robert, you shouldn't frighten
the children so," said Aunt Katie, look
ing up and dropping stitch.
"Don't cry, my dears," said Uncle
Bob, patting each Of the little heads;
''all's well as ends well.
"Mr. Tibbetts had hardly finished
tellin' the Squire about his darter bein'
kerried off by the bear, in spite OF MIR.
Tibbetts gallant efforts to rescoo her I'm
proof of which he showed the scratches
he'd got in runnin' through the bushes3),
and the Squire hedn't near gotd one call
in him all sorts o. hard names, when who
should walk in, safe and sound, but
Katie herself, and me escortin' of her.
"Bob Staples, says the Squire, grasp
in of my hand, accept o fathers bles-
sin'!'
"I do, says I, bowin' my head.
"'But the b'ar?' says the Squire.
"'I'n make you present of his hide
tomorrow, says I, lookin' big.
"'How ken I reward you?' says he:
"'Now's the time nor neVerp says l to
myself, plucllin' up courage by givin
me your darter for wife, l answered.
"'Air you willin, Katie?' says the
esquire.
"'I am, says she.
"'Me, too, says I, not waiting to be
"axed.
"'Jine your right hands, says the
esquire
owe jined 'em.
"By yirchoo Of the authority vested
in me as jestice of the peace, said the
Squire, solemnly, Ipronounce you man
and wife. Whom God hath jined to-
gcthcr let no man put asunder and
no man hain't neither" added Uncle
Bob, proudly. :,