The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-09-01

IL was during my constitutional ~. tot.
lowing day that l next caught sgn1 u
Tom, the lemon-colored setter ard hne
necktie, and at the same time of shep-
herdess hat, a floating cloud OF golden
hair, pair of blue eyes, and the white s
Rfattest and wooliest poodle it hHE3Ker
been my fate 10 see.
The shepherdess hat was leadng The
poodle by a blue ribbon with one hand,
while the other held u book. On the
pages of which the blue ewes wcrcdosyn-
cast, of course utterly unconscbsisot
Tom. who was walking some went3
yards behind, diligently suckiE tue
handle of his cane, and as dil4ently
staring at q back view of the sheplfrdess
hat-black. trimmed with crimso1r o1roses
l--the golden hair and the daintiesI lit5te
waist, round which a blue moire bt was
ever fastened, and the neatest fog eT.k
bGttoned up in a kid 5ottine.k svi1l1
mothef-of- -pearlbuftons
Itis needless 10 saw that. rs
was absorbed in her book, agitf -
the contemplation of the fair Student,
! neither of them observed me; and,
knowing from eXperieace how conducive
to a hearty appetite<a little mild excite
ment is, 1 slipped behind convenient
rock, in order towatch Toms proceed
ings at my leisdre.
They saunfercd quietly on for a few
PAGES further, and this little tale might
never have been indited by my graceful
pen had it not been for Tom lemon
colored setter.
This sagacious animal had been for
some time eyeing the apoplectic poodle
waddling on in front with divers signs
of canine ill-will, uno5served by his
spell-bound owner, and just as its fair
mistress turned fresh leaf of her book,
with Il bloodthirsty snarl, the setter
dashed at the unoffending poodle, whose
white curls were soon flying in every
direction, as, with yelps of defiance and
anguish. they rolled over and over in the
soft sand in deadly combat.
The Young lady screamed frantically,
and endeavored to rescue her favorite
from the fangs of the setter bv shower
ing blows of her white-and-gold Dante"
on his yellow back; and at this crisis
Tom sprang to the rescue with uplifted
cane and excited mien, and managed to
convey to the setter, per cane and boot
toe his desire that hostilities should
cease; and. with fervent apologies for
the unpublished behavior of his canine
follower. he placed the gasping poodle
in the little galIntleted hands stretched
eagerly to receive him And what COM
miseration the abOminable hvpocrite
showered on the brute. and didn't they
eventually walk of together to her hotel.
he carrying the animal. and she chatting
to him gayly and looking up into his face
with such pretty gratitude, while the
lemon-colored setter. with dropping ears
and tail. followed slowly in the rear
Well, Tom came home to mock at the
idea of breakfast and rave of Bertha
Seldom for such proved to be the lady's
name and agailS, the charming Godine
Haughton, who sat opposite him at table,
aud whose black eyes darted reproaeh-
full fires at him across the table-cloth; for
had he not neglected TO ask her Tor one
dance even on the previous night2
Friendship should never blind Us tothe
failings of our friends, and | set down
with melancholy regret that Tom was a
notorious fiirt. Really, | felt uneasy
when saw the way he went on with that
little girl; and if it had not been for a
I habit he had of resenting what he pleased
to term =. impertincnt intrusion" ;" I'd
| have given him piece of my mind.
But it was not long before he awoke
to discovery which astonished himself
as much as it did me-viz.. that he had
a heart, and that it was in the possession
of the pretty Bertha-a fact he deter
mined to let her know as speedily as
possible
= You see," he said to me, Though
my father is fool enough to contemplate
marrying again at his time of life, I'm
quite independent ; and. rs L m tolerably
sure she likes me. why, old boy, you may
expect an invitation to my wedding be-
fore long,
And he staggered Off looking like a
handsome, confident puppy. as he was.
There the fellow provoked me, though
tcds glad he really intended marrying
! the pretty, blue-eyed child. and not tilt
ing her, as he had half a score of others.
The very same day who should arrive
at our hotel but Latimer pere, hale,
handsome man of middle age, and an
old acquaintance of mine.
We dined together in private. and
while Tom slipped his wine in silence,
we elders gossiped of the place, the
people and the cooking, though more
than once | fancied that cheerful Mr..
Latimer was more distrat than usual.
and several times | noticed that he cast
anxious glances at Toms thoughtful
countenance
:. By-the-way,n he said, after the
waiter had placed the dessert and finally
Withdrawn, :. neither of you has in
quired my business here''
He looked at Tom, and Tom, rousing
himself looked at him.
Well, SIR said that young gentle
man, .-people don come to Newport on
business-at least. not generally-so it
didn't strike me to inquire n
We'll, my boy,' said the elder gentle-
man. laughing, "I'H give you the in
formation gratuitously, | have come
down here for dav to see the lady I'm
about to marry-Miss Seldom. You have
probably met her"
Tom and | stared at his father in I'M
mitigated surprise, and Tom calculated:
. | say, father. you're not in earnest,
you know
''Of course am, y replied Mr.. Latimer,
rising and laughing land I'm OIL now
to pay my respects. Come over in the
course of the evening, both of you.
And, while Tom stared blankly after
him, he went away.
Tom looked at me and looked at him.
Tom thrust his hands through his yellow
curls and then into his trousers pockets.
He then whistled II whistled-
''Such man as that TO marry a brown
front and set of false teeth p eiacu-
lated Tom. q Jove sir, I'm struck
dumb -
In proof of which he became slightly
profane.
do not approve of strong language
do of hook so, to immediate two birds
with the same stone, | cried:
.' In any case, let us drink her health
After which cheerful resignation came
to Tom. and he was good enough to say
Well, after all, it will be pleasanter
for Bertha and m yself than if the governor
hal had better taste. / wonder what
enchantments the old Circe threw around
him ?''
"rn tell you what" said Tom, as.
later in the evening, we assembled 10 the
drawing room of the bride-elect and her
lovely niece. I'm get Bertha out for