The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-02-19
THE PRETTY QUAKERESS
BY H. NJ. L.

4 you're through work for the week, ant
cousins Fred and Sue are here to stay
4 over Sunday with us, and we are al
q locked in from the cold and stol M be
| fore glowing grate-now do tell III
a that sleighing adventure with the pret
ty Quakeress which you promised me
so long ago.
1 with the merriment in the fair speak.
er's heart, fell from the lips of Rose
Morgan, the comely daughter of Col
Morgan of Cloyerdale. She empha.
sized her little speech by casting her.
self upon his broad breast as he sat in
his great stuffed chair and clasping
her hands under his iron gray locks.
'Ob, not tonight, my girl-not to-
night. 1t was only trifle.'
But he had spoken too late; for
there was twinkle of mischief in his
eyes. which Rose caught as young
trout would catch a fly. She pressed
her suit, and when he had half con-
sented, quickly drew a hassock to his
feet, clasped her hands over his knee
and looked in his face to catch the first
word. All laughed heartily at her
persistence and success, and thought
her handsomer than ever as she shook
back her curls in the freight and per-
emptorily cried, Now begin
WELL began the Colonel, as he
placed his strong hand upon his daugh-
ter's shoulder, you see there was q
nice Quaker family near my fathers,
when was youngster of about twen-
ty, and it contained the prettiest little
lady af about sixteen that ever saw.
She was as quiet and modest as daisy
but just as full of a certain twinkling.
fascinating sort of fun as the laws of
Quakerdom would allow
sJust wait till call mother want
her to hear you.
| Never mind about your mother,
child she's heard the story fifty times,
| said he, as he held her fast.
| We used to haye the grandest
sleigh rides in. those days, and always
noticed that we never had good one
unless Jerusha Jones was along-we
will call her Jerusha Jones for the
present.
tThe school district was big one,
and school was always full, especially
in winter. Ahl the spelling schools.
the exhibitions, the romps at noon
time, the psrtings and deaths I don't
think 1ll ever forget that school, nor
the old school house.
Nearly every fellow in the school
had at one time or another tried to
gain the favor of Jerusha. Among
others who were smitten at the time l
speak of was Zeke Skimmins, who
lived just beyond Jones' from our
house, and young man whom we
will call William Brown.
sOhl tell US his real name,' said |
Rose, 1T is so provoking not to know
the real names when the story itself is !
real.
No Interruptions, child. About |
those days we projected the greatest |
sleighride ever known in that neigh
borhood. There were to be three four
horse teams, handled by the best
whips in Skycutter county. All per-
sons within the school district be.
tween the ages of Is and 81 years were
cordially invited This would make
company of about fifty. There were
to be no partners, but it was the duty
of every gentleman to see that every
lady was made comfortable, and of ev-
cry lady to see that every gentleman
was made happy, natural infirmities,
accidents and damages by
the elements alone excusing.
What in the world does all that
mean p exclaimed Rose,
There you go again. said the Colo
mel. aaf i
go on, 60 on-I won't speak again
until you are through
sWell, the ride came off as had been
arranged. Everything was successful,
everybody happy. We had been to
our destination, enjoyed the supper
and social with the keenest zest, and
we were now on our return, flying
over hills that cleaned and sparkied
beneath moonlight and starlight like
the mountains of q frozen PARADISE
Young, gay, careless hearts; six great
strings of bells, every one as large as
IN orange; twenty-six of the sweetest,
dearest girls ever kissed by the moon
why should we not be happy? !
By one of those mastery strategic :
movements of which love-sick green
horn is alone capable, Zeke Skimmins i
had ensconced himself snug and warm $
close at Jerusha's side and I noticed {
he took excellent care that the robes {
were kept closely up to their chins as
they sat deep in the clean straw, their s
backs against the side of the high
AS for myself, was dis !
yusted with Zeke-but no matter now. $
BrOw was close at Jerusha's J
other side, and evidently as much en-
amored as Zeke, But then didn't
mind that SO much, for Brown and 1
we're always good friends. Jerusha
bore the situation like little angel. =
She would sing snatches of songs and ,
oin in the merriment, and laugh with
that low, bewitching laugh of hers =.
ahl can hear it yet, though it was 40 t
years ago. g
At this moment Mrs. Morgan enter u
ID the cheerful room, and took seat ]
near the table with her knitting, un- t
by her husband.
Onward we few, over hill, over 8
1ale, when-what do you suppose .
Why, that insolent and unregenerate Z