Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1882-07-15

you. carry 'em careful, Peter, and"
"Qrannyp suddenly burst in the
honest young giant, who was tying his
cravat before the glass with laborious
fingers, "how many years is it since
granther courted youY
"Good land o. Goshen |" said Granny
Peck, "what is the boy talkin' about 2"
because I want to know what he
said," said Peter, reddening to the very
roots Of his hair. ''I'm a-goin' courtin'
myself, granny, and hain't had no ex-
perience, and I don't know how to go
to work."
"well never r. said Granny Peck.
"Try to remember, there's good
soul r. urged Peter, coaxingly.' 70 aa 'ssal
'It's so long ago" said Granny Peck,
with sympathetic moisture beginning
suffuse her bleared eyeballs. Times
is changed now-"aa 1sas asi fsf aas.
"But human natur' is human natur,'
Just the same, said Peter. "How was
it. granny ?" -At s. .ia1 is alqfI go al8 q
"Re took me out q ridin'," said the
old lady, assisting her smemory with a
goodly pinch OF rose-scented snuff.
"That's it ezackly, /" said Peter. ''I've
harnessed up Red Robin, and washed
off the buggy wagon, and I calculate to
ask her to ride home with me from the
donation party lft- sre "
"And it was q dreadful moonshiny
night refectively added the old lady.
''Moon's at the fDll." exultantly NUT
tered Peter. 81 b'lievc there's fate
in itP"
"And he set up close to me, and
squeezed my hand with the hand he
wasn't a-drivin' with, and he said I was
the prettiest gal he'd ever seen, and
could be contented to come and live
at Hawks Farm. And I said I didn't
exactly know, but he might ask father.
And we was married the next fall. Ah,
deary me, deary me how long ago all
that seemsp aaa sr.r.ss, ..-.f
"It sounds easy enough,n said Peter,
desponjently. "But I'd ruther clear
off whole patch O. hickory woods"
"Don't be afraid. Peter" said the old
lady, laying kindly hand on his
shoulder. "If she's a gal wuth havtn',
she'll know you're good lad. And I'll
bet a cookey she'll say Yes"
81 only wish could think so, gran
n.y." said Peter, with sigh.
"Ts it Kate Lanney," said Mrs. Peck,
"or Mary Elsleyp
"'Tain't neither one," said Peter,
sheepishly. "It's Jessie Field r.
Land o'massyl" said Granny Peck,
elevating ner withered hands. "What
on airth is a pretty pink-and-white piece
of china like her to do in a wild place
like this%
"She's as smart as steel-trap," said
Peter. "Don't you worry. granny I
Once l get her here, you'll see that she'll
be all rightp
So Peter piled his venison, and
chickens, and jar of apple-sauce into
the back of the roomy old buggy, and
drove away to the donation party, as
full Of hopes and fears as any young
girl.
And when he saw Hiram Jellifer, the
village store-clerk, enter, all redolent of
pomatum and cologne, in city-cut suit
Of clothes, and hair brushed to peak
over his forehead, his heart sank within
him.
81 hain't no chance at all, he thought.
'Jessie, whispered Aunt Betsey to
her niece, as they were clearing the
dining-room for the games which fol-
lowed upon the old-fashioned supper,
"do take little notice Of Door Peter
Peck ! See how his eyes are following
you. And you have hardly been decent
ly polite to him |"
"Peter Peck, indeedi" said Jessie,
radiant in the consciousness of being
the prettiest girl in the room. 81
couldn't possibly be bothered with him,
Aunt Bess; none of your backwoodsmen
for mel You can go and talk with him
Yourself, il you pleased"
But Aunt Betsey, shyer than any
child, shrank, blusning, away.
''No," said she, 81 couldn't do that.
II am so little acquainted with himi'
Half an hour af.erward, Peter Peck,
unable to make up bis mind to ask
pretty Jessie to allow him to take her
home with Red Robin and the buggy,
sidled up to the squire.
Squire" said he, jerking the words
out with an effort, "can take Miss
Field homer"
"Much obleeged, I'm surel" said the
squire. 81 had the box-wagon here;
but don't mind riding home alone, II
SO be as you'd like company"
Peter drew long breath.
'It's as good as settled now" said
he to himself.
His heart beat high when. in the
misty moonlight, slight figure came
III