Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-04-09
WHY LGFIS DOBSON WAS &
BACHELOR

| ]
prefer to sit by a hot stove or be com-
iortably seated in q genial warm room.
That very night jolly set Of fellows
were gathered around blazing fire re,
Ialing stories, cracking jokes, and each
narratinghi experience among the girls.
Il tel YOU what, boys spoke out
George jenkins, SIS slight lull occur
red in tie conversation, there's John
Dobson; he's had q ripe experience
among the fair sex. Maybe hen tell
US why he stii! lives in state Ot tOrlorn
hope"
John Dobsou was a confirmed old
bachelor Of about fifty five, and averse
to female society, which he Stunned on
all possible occasions.
"Yes, yes, give us the story" chimed
in a halt dozen voices.
''Do tell us, John Dobson, why you
never married one of those Gibson girls,
for l know you once went it strong
with one OF them" said Bob Jamart, As
he gave q sly wink at the rest OF the
party.
"Well, now. boys, have you no re-
spect for fellows feelings? responded
the guod-uaturcd John Dobson, tor in
spite OF his bachelorhood, he was as
clever a fellow as one could meet in a
weeks travel.
Il tell you what" he continued, "this
is 10 tritliug matter, aud whenever |
think of the last time was in Sue Glib
sons company, and the mishaps that
followed, always feel ashamed; but as
| am strongly pressed, guess III have
TO speak right out in meeting, as Dea-
con Wilburs wife used TO say when
they had revival down in the Battle
Swamp meeting house. Maybe some Of
you do not recollect so tar back; any
how, there was old Squire Gibson down
in Battle Swamp. lie had twoas purity
daughters as any man ever had since
the days of Adam. Their names were
Sue and Dolly, and all the boys for
miles around, were in love with EN-. |
have al old chum named Sam Williams.
Well, Sam and ! paired with the girls;
| took Sue aud Sam took Dolly under
our sheltering wings. The girls looked
upon us with favor, and this created
lots of envy and jealousy among the
other boys.
GAS | said before, the girls liked US,
but their old dad, the squire, didn't; in
fact, the old man didn't like any young
fellows come poking around after his
girls, because he thought they would
marry them, and then be would be com
PEELED to hire help, for the girls did all
the work about the house and farm,
such as milking the COWS, making but
ter, baking bread and other things.
"llard as the old man was on the
girls howsomeyer, he allowed them 10
attend singing school, which was held
in tie old log school-house, about three
miles from the girls home. We had
singing school every Saturday night,
and ] was so much IN love with Sue
Gibson that | could scarcely wait till
Saturday came, for that was the only
time ] could see her.
"As ! said before, the old Squire was
opposed to the girls having COM ";
but these girls, you know, like all 9TH
ers, would have company in spite OF the
old folk Well, that night, the last ]
ever went home with the girl, turned
out TO be All awful one for me. We had
a splendid singing meeting, and after it
was over, / stepped up to Sue and Sam
Williams took Dolly, and off we start
ed for home. All the way along talk
ed quite sweet to Sue, aud she looked
SO sweet, that felt that ! could have
married her right of. When we got
to the gate that opened into tho lane
which led up TO the house, Sue said 10
me, John you mustn't come any further.
Says !, why not 7 Because, you
know, says she dad wont like it, Says
again, yes l VIII, Sue, I'm going
right up 10 the house with you, too, for
| want 10 have talk with YOU.
'Sue finding that was determined
in the matter, submitted, aud we walk
ed up TO the house aud right into the
kitchen, for we bad no trouble. The
old folks had gone 10 bed long before,
and were fact asleep, so the field was
clear. j courted Sue strong that night,
and | made up my mind to ask her TO
be ray wife, the next time / came
around.
at was now past midnight, and as
we had over four miles to 20. / told
Sam we had better start. SO We stepped
out on the porch; as We did 80, the sky
was bright with lightning, the thunder
pealed its loudest, and the rain poured
down in torrents We waited tor it 10
stop, until we all got so sleepy that the
girls said we should go TO bed IN the
little room at the head OF the stairs,
which led up from the kitchen, and az
the old man didn't get up very early,
we could 60 home before the old folks
were astir. So after kissing the girls a
sweet good night, aud wishing them
pleasant dreams, and promising TO zee
them the next Saturday night, we tod
died up to bed.
'Sam dropped his wardrobe in a pile
on the floor and bounced into bed with
out any trouble. l was always slow
aud full of curiosity, so ! took look
around the room.-At last thought
would sit down on chest which was
covered with nice white cloth, while
/ drew of tny boots; go down ! sat,
when Jerusalem crickets, went squash
down into a big custaId pie. Thought