The Evening critic., 1882-07-12
A BASHFUL MAN,
In Try ing TO Avoid II Scene, Brings
on II Catastrophe.

Senator Sebastian, OF Arkansas, was n native
OF Hickman County, Tenn. On ono occasion n
member Of Congress was lamcnting his bash.
fulness and awkwardness. "why," said tho
Senator from Reckensack, "you don't know
what bashfulness is. Let me tell YOU story.
was tho most bashful boy west OF tho ALLIE.
ghanies; wouldn't look at girl, much less
speak to a maiden; but for all that, fell des
perately In love with n sweet, beautiful neigh.
Dor girl. TWAS desirable match on both Sides
and the old folks saw tho drift and fixed 1t up.
l thought would die Just thinking OF It.
was n gawky, awkward country lout, and nlno-
teen years old. She was an Intelligent ro-
fined and fairly educated girl In n country
and at n timo when the girls had superior ad-
vantages, and were therefore superior In cul-
ture to the boys. 1 nxed the day rs far or as
could put IT. / lay awake in a cold pcrspira.
tion as the timo drew near and shivercd with
agony rs thought Of the terrible ordeal.
"The dreadful day came. / went through
with the programme somehow In a dazed,
ono by one departed, and my hair began to
stand on one end. Beyond tho awful curtain
of Isis lay the terrible unknown. My blood
grew cold ana boiled by turns. l was In
fever and then an aguc, palo and flushed by
turns. felt like fleeing to the woods, spend
Ing The night in tho barn, leaving for the
West never to return. was deeply devoted
TO Sallie; but tho dreadful ordeal I could
not-I dare noi-stand It Finally the last
guest was gone; the bride rctirod, the family
iors, alone with the old man John,
said he, you can take the candle; YOU
will lind your room Just over this. Good
night, John, and may the Lord have mercy on
your soul, and with mischievous twinkle OF
his lne gray eye the old man left the room
| mentally said Amen to his Heaven help
you,' and when heard him close distant
door, staggered to my feet and seized the far
hing dip with n nervous grasp. stood for
some minptee contemplating the terrible fate
md tho inevitable ana speedy doom about 10
avoided.
and yet hesitated to meet my fate Ike man.
l stood 20 long that three 1ove-letters had
grown on the wick of the tallow dip and u
winding sheet was decorating the side of the
brass candicsiick.
"a happy thought struck inc. I hastily
climbed the stairs, marked the position OF tho
landing and the door OF the bridal chamber.
would haye. disrobed In that holy chamber,
whore waited me II trembling and beautiful
girl, q bcautiful maiden, clothed upon with
her own beauty and modesty, and her snowy
robe dc mutt. would make tho usual prepar-
atoms without, blow out tho light, open the
door and friendly night would shield my
shrinking modesty and bashfulnoss, and
graceful darkness mitigate the horror of tho
situation. 1t was soon done. Preparations for
retiring were few and simple In their charac-
| ter In Hickman, altogether consisting OF
| disrobing, and owing 10 tho scarcity
| of clothes In those days man was somewhat
| WOO sweet sleep. The dreadful hour had
| come; l was ready. l blow out the light,
| grasped tho door with deadly grip and
| nervous clutch; one moment and 1t would be
| over. one moment and It wasn't over by any
| means. leapcd within, and there, around a
| glowing hickory Are, with candles brightly
| burning on the mantel and bureau, was the
was the blushlng bride, surrounded by tho
| n position for Il bashful young man, as then
| was. But somehow, the scamperlng of the
bridesmaids gave me nerve; and do not
recollect ever. having been so seriously