The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-11-01

tapcrlng on IN @l|glaS.
Il wonder who-blesS me- II he
doesn't commence with Charity Post!
and the girl leit a lump arising IN her
throat as she spoke.
For, be it known and understood
that the young man who Is fortunate
enough TO fnd red ear of corn at a
husking bee has q right to kiss all the
girls present, and if he be at all popu-
lar, he is closely watched to see with
whom he will begin the osculatory ex-
ercises.
Mitty's was not the only heart that
had thumped us he approached Chari-
to the hubbub around her. Prue tura-
ed her head with an expression of pain
on her face, and Patty bent lower over
the ear her trembling hands were she'll
ing. 1t might have been an accident
that he had selected Chatty first, but
they who loved him as only pure wo-
men can love, saw something more than
chance in it, and felt that if he were to
select his wife that night. he would
take her to whom his eyes first turned
when he began to kiss them all.
"a red ear, Chatty," said he pleas
antlv, holding the ear out for her in
spection.
80 see," returned Chatty, without
looking up.
''And I'm going to kiss you first, he
continued
II think not" she replied calmly.
Everyone looked surprised, but none
more so than Mr.. Doane.
''Why not, Chatty?" he asked. 81
am entitled to q kiss all around, and
you should not resist"
''You are if you get red ear by fair
means, said Chatty, gazing straight
into his face. ''But you did not get
that ear in that way"
The young man colored deeply.
''What do you mean, Chatty?"
81 mean that you came here with
your pockets full of red ears prepared
to pull them out and kiss us girls"
said Chattv, firmly. .'The rest may
permit it, but for one, l won'tr'
Had bombshell burst in the barn
there could not have been greater con-
sternation than followed Chatty's ex-
pose. Tie squire roared aloud, I'M
checked by the frowns of his daughter,
but to the rest this was no laughing
matter. Here was the beau of the vii
lage detected in fraud and relentless
ly exposed by girl who appeared to
be utterly unconscious of his blandish-
ments. And the worst of it was, the
rest had to take it up. 1t would never
do to side against Chatty. That would
be showing the preference they all felt
for Hillhouse.
''Sit down, Hillhousc," added Chatty
kindly. 1--WE will forgive you this
time, but in the future you must under
stand that we seriously object to be
kissed under false pretenses.
The supper was a great success, but
a damper had fallen on the spirits of
the party. None of the mirth and jol-
lity that characterize New England
husking bee found their way back to
the squire's house that night, and when
the party broke up, good bye's were
whispered, instead OF shouted rs usual.
''Miss Chatty, may l escort you
homer" asked Mr.. Doane, as Chatty
turned away from NIFTY.
Certainly, Hillhouse, replied Chat
ty, with a pleasant smile.
And the question and the answer wet
three pillow shams through with bitter
tears OF disappointment that night.
ut was only a joke, Chatty," said
Hillhouse, as he took her arm in his.
Il hope you won't treasure it against
me-"
1T was mean all the same, Hill
house, replied Cnatty. gravely If
you are going TO commence life by per-
petrating frauds on your friends in So
cietv, what do you expect to do when
you get into business? Be careful, my
boy. As you begin SO you will end,
only worse" and Chatty took the sting
out of her reproof with a bright little
laugh.
1T looks as though I were always
going to need you with me to keep me
straight" he said in a low and tender
voice.
Chatty dropped his arm with start
of dismay.
"Oh, Hillhouse, 1 didn't mean
that!''
''But l did," he answered gravely.
"And l mean it still. l do need you,
Chatty; will you be my wife?"
''Prue. did you ever hear anything
like itP Chatty told NIFTY this morn
ing that she and Hillhouse were TO be
married in a year, and she actually ex-
poets us to be her bridesmaids!''
But just then Patty saw the look of
agony in her friends face that might
have been the reflection of her own
suffering, SO intense it seemed.
''Never mind, Prue," she continued
softly. '"There are red ears in the
corntields yet, and some one will find
them for you and for me-"