The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-06-21

preserving on air of profound mys-
terry in all her sayings and doings,
was blessed with a fine command of
language, hot temper, and a voice
which, when raised, resembled that
of a screech owl. 1t was impossible
to appeal to her on moral
grounds, as she did not trouble her
self with questions of right and
wrong, insisting that it was quite
/ immaterial to her "whar Is gwine
when rs done ceasted, Gaze always
did 'spise milk and honey, an |
neber cud git warm nuff nohow
'thout settin' right up in de fire.
Such vas the old woman, object
of untold fears and respect, to whom
Isham Coombs, the hero Of my tale
for there is brief yet affecting
love story involved Having screw
. ed up his courage, plucked up his
wits, ond adorned his person, pre-
sented himself in order to request
the hand of her granddaughter, who
resided with her. the beanteous Sa-
Indy Ann. Salindy Ann had
smiled upon him, but so had she
upon several other youths, and it was
generally understood that whoever
was bold enough to gain theconsent
/ of Isabel, would not find his Dulci-
nea at all unknown foe to matrimo-
ny. and she was i. Judge, having
been married threei times. So the
proposed interview held no charms
for Isham, who did not even know
that consoling line: ''None but the
brave deserve the fair
Our hero was a small, dapper
youth, very legged, and with
an expression which ran very much
to smiles, especially when he was
excited or apprehensiye. He attir-
ed himself in his Sunday close"
crowned the effect by huge white
standing collar, took a cane, the
care of which would at any rate pre-
sent occupation for his trembling
hands, and set forth to learn his
fate. He whistled and sang as he
went along, but instead OF keeping
up his spirits, he felt them grow
lower and lower. He reached the
gate. and would fam have turned
and fed, but he thought of Salindy
Ann, and entered. 'Sher," he said
20 himself, bravely, as he proceeded
along the path, Il amt skeer'd o
trickIn'. Tain't nothin' nohow.
Mas VIII he sesso-
Nanny Isabel was sitting just
outsidethe cabin door, her eyes and
attention apparently fixed on her
knitting. Salindy Ann was nowhere
in sight. Isham approached as
near as he dared. then
"G-g-good-ehenin', Nanny liza
ble,7 he said, pulling off his hat,
gripping it tightly in one hand and
the cane in the other, and visibly
trembling. Excessive perspiration
had lowered one END of his collar,
the other stood fiercely.erect. Nam
my Isabel raised her eyes, let them
wander around, above, beyond her
visitor, and finally drop upon him
as though it was themerest accident
she had discovered any object so
insignificant.
"Ohl good-ebenin'. Is'am," she
answered stiffiy.
isham by this time earnestly de-
siied to sit down; so, espying a
three-legged stool, he hastily depos-
tied himself upon it.
Take seat, Is'am, take n seat"
said Nanny, with emphasis 4;
whereupon poor Isham felt inclined
to bounce up again. Then followed |
grim silence. Nanny knitted |
and Isham wriggled At length, in |
desperation. the latter spoke
Il hope | sees you in good healt',
Nanny Izzable ?" he said, wishing
to ingratiate himself
Its berry well, Is'am," replied
nanny Isabel, suavely /; AN how /
is your'n Is'am? Is you done got
ober dat dar lickin' yit OF Mas
Peter Jones gin you las week when
he cotch you in the water-million
patch ?"
Isham writhed, and his smile was
something wonderful to behold.
'Hel hel Nanny Izzable," he
faltered; I; Ia! dat warn't nothin'.
We was les in fun, bofe of US"
well, mebbe Eckin's amt moth
in when you's use to 'em," was the
reply. An | reck'n twas
fer fun you went ter the million
patch, hut / bet 'twarn't no fun time
YOU come out" Another squirm
and faint "he! her' came from
Isham, but he let the subject drop.
"Whar's Salindy Ann ?" was his
next venture.
"Whar she b'longs, an whar she's
gwine ter stay-a doin' of her work
in dat dar kitchen. She don't have
no time TO 60 a-visitin' in der after
moons.
Isham felt that a few more of
these trenchant remarks would an
nihilate his purpose, and make him
take to his heels. so with the cour
age of despair he gasped out:
Nanny Izzable, | dun come
fer-ter-ser-ter-ax you-ter-!
ter-ter-lemme marry Salindy
Ann"
The last words came out with a
rush, and Isbam shut his eyes tight.
He half expected the devil TO appear
and bear him off. But nothing
touched him, and he ventured to
peep. Nanny Isabel was regard
ing him grimly. her hands folded on
her lap. Years before, she had been
performing some domestic au- /
ty in room where gentleman was
petitioning her ''ol' massa' for the
hand of his daughter, and she had
treasured up what she had heard.
May | venture to require. she I
asked. with great politeness, "how i
you depose to export Salindy Ann
wild de manners besootable to her I
perdition ?"
Marin p was the bewildered re-
ply. This was almost as bad as the
devil,
"Whar was you fotch up at, mig
ger, dat you can't un'erstan' de