Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-09-21
A Bashful Man.

Senator Sebastian, Of Arkansas, was
native Of Hickman county, Tenn. On ono
OCCASION member of Congress was lament
ing his bashfulncss aud awkwardness.
"Why," said tho Senator from Raokensack,
"You don't know what bashfulucss s
llet me tell you story, aud when get
through will stand you The bob if you
don't agree that you never knew anything
about baohfulncss and its baneful effects.
| was tho most bashful boy West Of tho
Allegl,anics. | would not look at q girl
much less speak to maiden; but for all |
fell desperately 10 love with a sweet, beau
,itul ncighbor girl. 1t was desirable
match on both sides, aud the old folks saw
tho drift, and fixed it up. thought |
should die just thinkiug of it. l was a
gawFy, awkward country lout about nine
teen years old. Sho was an intelligent, re-.
fined aud fairly we'll educated girl 10 tho
country, and ut timo when the girls had
superior advantages, and therefore supc--
rior in culture to the boys. l fixed the day
as fur as could have put it off. lay
awake i'll Il cold perspiration as tho titue
drew near, and shivcred with agony MS l
thought of the terrible ordeal.
The dreadful day came, went through
with tho programme somehow in dazcd,
confused, mechanical sort of way, like an
automaton BOBBY through supper where
could cat nothiug, and through such games
as 'possum pie Sister Phoebe and all
that sort of thing. Tho guests one by one
departed, und my hair began to stand on 40
end. Beyond the awful curtain Of Isis lay
the terrible unknown Ny blood grew cold
aud boiled by turns. was in fever and
then in an "guc, pale and flush by turns
felt like fleeing to the woods, spending
the night in tho barn, leaving for the West
never to return. was deeply devoted to
Sallic. loved her harder than n mule
can kick; but that dreadful ordeal could
not, dared not stand it. Finally the lust
guest was gone, the brdo retired, tho
family gone to he'd, and was left alone
horror of horrors, alone with the old man.
"John," said he, you eau take that candle;
you will fini your room just over this.
Good uight, John, and may the Lord have
mercy on your SOUL" and with mischicv-
Gus twuklc Of his fine gray eye, the old
man left the rooul. mentally said,
"Amcn" to his "lIcavcn help you," aud,
when heard him close distant door, stag.
gercd-to my feet and seized the farthng
dip with nervous grasp stood for some
minutes contemplating my terrible fate,
and the inevitable and speedy doom about
to ovcrwhelm nc. J. knew that it could not
be avoided, and yet hcstated to meet my
fate like man. l stood so long that three
love letters had grown on the wick of the
tallow dip. aud winding sheet was deco.
rating the side of tho brass candlestick.
A happy thought struck ME, | hastily
climbed the stair, marked tho position of
the landing and the door of the bridal
chamber. [ would havo died before
would have disrobcd in that holy chamber
where awaited me troubling and bcaut,
full girl, b.ushing maiden, "clothcd upon"
with her own beauty and modcsty, and her
snowy robe dc auu would mako the
usual preparations without blow out the
light, open the door and friendly night
would shield my shrinking modnsty and
bashfuncss and grateful darkness at least
mitigate the horror of the situation. 1t
was sron done. Preparations for retiring
were few and simple in their characters in
Hickman, altogether consisting in disrob-
ing, and owing to the scarcity Of clothing
in those days man was somewhere near the
Adamio state when he was prepared to WOO
sweet sleep. The dreadful hour had come,
| was ready. l blow out the light, graspcd
the door knob with deadly grip and
nervous clutch; one moment and it would
be over. Ono moment and it wasn't over
by a blamed sight. | caped within, and
there around glowing hickory fire, with
candles brightly burning on the mantel and
bureau, was tho bushiug bride surrounded
by tho six lovely bridesmaids.
Mines in Oconee.