Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-04-21


She would not excuse me; she would
not allow me to ten anything; so drop
ping all ceremonial phases, took the
purse from my pocket, and said, as
bluntly as if had that moment picked
it up:
Is this your purse, miss?"
Before we came to the end of the park
had found out that she lived with her
uncle, who was q bootmaker by trade !;
that she had never been to London, but
her uncle had; that she came over to
SteepletOwn three times week, and did
not come more frequently because she
did not care to; that her age was twenty,
and her name was Peggy Giles; that she
would not be long in the town, and
might wait for her, if I liked, under q
| tree she pointed out to me. / had found
out, too, by this time, that was desper-
ately in love with her. ...s-.s
She soon came back. expected she
would have had some difficulty in find
ing me among the trees; but she re-
membered where was at onces almost
| as if she had been familiar with our
trysting- place. Then took charge of
the basket, and we walked on slowly to-
ward Crumble. In another respect we
| made rapid progress; for our friend
ship had grown quite ripe before we
reached the end of the park, where we
parted; not, you may be sure, before
we had arranged to meet the next day.
watched her out of sight, and then
turned homeward, building castles in
the air as went. In thinking of Peggy,
however, / had forgotten ali about din
ner; and when reached home 1 was
ashamed to look the clock in the face, it
was so late. entered the dining room,
quietly took my seat at table, and sat in
silence, waiting for my uncle, who con-
sidered punctuality point of honor, to
call my attention to the time. But he
did not say word, which only made
me more uneasy. Cousin Tabitha soon
noticed my distress, and, misinterpret-
ing it, asked kindly what was the mat
ter with me. pleaded a slight head
ache.
81 suppose you are beginning to find
Steepletown dull?" said my uncle.
"On the contrary" replied, with no
particular meaning.
"What have you been doing to-
dayp'
"I've-well, I've been to the park"
returned, as composedly as possible.
"But l haven't finished your sketch,
uncle.'
had not yet commenced it.
"To the park again!' cried Cousin
Tabitha. l turned quite pale. '"Do you
know whatp' she continued, looking me
full in the face.
"What, Cousin Tabitha?''
give found you out, that's what"
The color of my face changed from
white to red in an instant. ssYou ne been
smoking.''
The next day went to the park, and
as arrived there an hour before the
time appointed for our meeting, 1
commenced to sketch. became so alb
sorbed in my work that did not think
of Peggy till 1 saw her standing beside
me.
"Well?" she said.
"Well, Peggy replied "what?"
stWhat do you want to tell me?''
~Tell you? What do you mean,
dearp'
s'Don't you remember what you said
yesterday when you left me yOnder?''
''Of course l do, Peggy" and 1
laughed to think of her innocence.
"And can't you guess what it isp''
She shook her head.
sSit down here then, and III tell you.
Look at me, Peggy; don't look at that"
she was admTing my sketch-''look
straight in my face. Do you know that
you are very pretty girl, Peggy"
She told me playfully to eco along!"
declared my love for her there and
then in an eloquent speech, ending with
an offer of my hand in marriage. l
asked her earnestly what she had TO say
to my proposal She said $50 alOng!"
again. l explained to her that / was
speaking seriously, for she seemed to
think otherwise; and 1 arranged to
meet her again the next day to receive
her answer Then we strolled about the
park; and when we separated flattered
myself that I had made some impress
sion upon her heart. l told her at part
ing to consider well what l had said to
her, but not to mention it on any ac-
count to her uncle.
Day after day I met Peggy, and
wooed her in the park. Some
times I went over to Crumble
and waited for her at the corner of
Whipple Street, where she lived. One
day, when she was later than usual, 1
walked boldly into her uncle's shop. As
soon as opened the door, an ugly little
man in his shirt sleeves popped up from
behind q counter, and invited me to
come in. He was delighted to see me,
and inquired amiably what he could do
for me. 1t appears that he thought
had come to buy boots; and when he
asked me a second time what wanted
to-day, had not the courage to tell
him what I really did want, so said
shoe-laces.
After opening all the drawers in the
shop, and pulling very nearly every
box from the shelves, he stepped up
ladder leading to cupboard, which.
when he opened it, seemed to contain
nothing but a flight Of steps. Putting
his head inside the cupboard, he called
out:
"Where's them laces got top"
"Don't know, UNCLE" answered a
voice. which knew at once.
"Jest come down and look for 'em,
then"
"Sha'n't," returned the voice from
above.
ashanti yer? Come down directly,
Miss importance, will yer? There's q