The Russellville Democrat., 1882-06-22
A Ba sinful Man.

Senator Sebastian, Of Arkansas, says the Louisville Commercial, was a native of Hickman county, Tennessee. On one occasion mem- Der of congress was lamenting hls bashfulness and awkwardness. "Why," said the senator from Rack cnsack, "you don know what bash eulncss is. Let me tell you a story, and when 1 get through will stand the bob if you don't agree that you never knew anything about bashful- ness and its baneful effects. l was the most bashful boy west of the Alleghanies. l wouldn't look at . girl, much less speak to a maiden; but for all that l fell desperately in love with a sweet, beautiful neigh bor girl. It was q desirable match on both sides, and the old folks saw the drift, and fixed it up. thought l should die just thinking of It. l was q gawky, awkward lout, about I0 years old. Sine was an intelligent, refined, and fairly well educated girl, in a country and at time when the girls had superior advantages, and were therefore superior in culture to the boys. l fixed the day as far as l could have it put off. l Jay awake in cold precipitation as the time drew near, and shivered with agony as l thought of the terrible ordeal.
 "The dreadful day came. l went through the programme some how in a dazed, confused, mechan- ical sort of way, like an auto nation booby through a supper where l could eat nothing, and through such games as 'possum pie, Sister Phube,' and all that sort of thing The guests one by one de parted and my hair began to stand on one end. Beyond the awful cur tain of Isis lay the terrible unknown. My blood grew cold and boiled by turns was in fever and then an ague, pale and flushed by turns. l l felt like fleeing to the woods, spend ing the night Ill the barn, leaving for the west never to return. l was deeply devoted to Sallie I loved her harder than mule can kick i; but that dreadful ordeal l could not, I dared not stand it. Finally the last guest was gone, the bride re tired, the family gone to bed, and l was left alone; horror of horrors, alone with the old man. John,' said he, you can take that candle; you will find your room just over this. Good night, John. and may the Lord have mercy on your soul and with q mischieyeous twinkle of his fine gray eye the old man left the room. mentally said Amen, to his Heav- cn help you,' and when l heard him close distant door, staggered co my feet and seized the farthing dip with a nervous grasp, l stood for some minutes contemplating my terrible fate, and the inevitable and speedy doom about to overwhclm me. l knew it could not be avoided, and yet hcsitated to meet my fate like a man. l stood so long that three love-letters had grown on the wick of the talIow dip and winding sheet was decorating the side of the brass candlCstick.
 "A happy thought struck me, I hastily climbed the stair, marked the position of the landing and the door of the bridal chamber. l would have died before l would have disrobed Tn that holy chamber, where awaited mo trembling and beautiful girl, a blashing maiden clothed upon with her own beauty and modesty, and her snowy robe de mutt. l would make the usual preparations without blow out the light, open the door, and friendly night would shleld my shrinking mOdcsty and hashfulness, and grateful darkness at leass miti- gate the horror of the situation. It was soon done Preparations for re tiring were few and simple in their character in Hickman, altogether consisting in disrobing, and, owing to a scarcity of cloth in those days, man was somewhere near the Adamic state when he was prepared to woo sweet sleep. The dreadful hour had come; l was ready, l blew out the light, graspcd the door knob with a deathly grip and nervous clutch {, one moment and it would be over One moment and ii wasn't over by a d-u sight. 1 leaped within, and there around glowing hickory fire, with candles brightly burning on the mantle and bureau, was the blush Ing bride, surrounded by the SIX lovely bridesmaids
 MT. Walter Mcrherson, Springfield, Mass, writes; "l have been peculiarly unfortunate in lifc My guardian rob- bed me of the fortune left me by my