The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-10-13
they almos. split her dress, and said,

they almost split her dress, and said, "Lor."
 q will give you plenty of time to think about it, continued Poke Easy.
 But. we haven't made love to each other yet, you know" Miss Flute re- marked.
 We can, though"
 "Well," she said after few moments when Poke Easy failed to introduce any new feature.
 We'll" he said, looking at her.
 "You are the one to begin it."
 Am I? ?" and he pulled a piece oi bark from the log and slowly tore it to pieces. "I love you" he at length said.
 "That ain't the way. You must ge, down on your knees and say that for some time you must have noticed that love you. cannot live without you Then will say, really this takes me by surprise Then you take my hand and I will help you up. That's the true way to make love-
 He didn't relish the idea, but he got down and was just about to recite his lesson when three or four boys, who had been watching the performance, sprang from behind the trees with loud shouts. The girl lifted her shoulder blades and took to her heels. Poke Easy slowly arose and confronted his tormentors.
 Ho, look at cid Poke. Brush the leaves offen your knees. Won't you marry me-. and one of the boys fell on his knees and looked up with mock im- ploration.
 The unfortunate young man turned away, but the boys followed him with taunts and jeers. The teacher, an old fellow with d tobacco mouth and the rheumatism, hobbled out 70 investigate the cause of the outburst When he had learned, he laughed and coughed until his shirt bosom was spotted with tobacco juice. He declared that of all the young fellows he knew, Poke Easy was most in need of wife
 MT. Patterson, said the iSeipient preacher. II do not care so much for the taunts of the boys, but when you join in, sir. think that you have los, the dignity with which you should adorn your posi- ton. am very awkward in the affairs of love making. must confess, and quite naturally il affords amusement for chill dren, but for an old man like you to join in the general hilariiy, say, sir. that it i'll becomes you as an educator and a gentleman. have asked the girl to be my wife, to marry me when am a preacher, and am not ashamed of the 1 fact"
 "Nu,her am I,' exclaimed a dismal voice, tremulous with determination, and Miss Flute, with her shoulder blades dan gerously high. approached loke Easy and stood beside him. He bestowed an admiring look upon her and took her l hand.
 didn', intend to be offensive" said old Patterson, but the affair is so ridic- ulous that could not help smiling"
 Smiling" contemptuously repeated Miss Flute. You opened your mouth till we could see down your throat"
 Well, enough of this. Come in to books
 Nc. Mir. latterson," said Foke Easy. Il shall never study under you any more. The time for my work has come
 Come on, and don, be foolish
 II shall endeavor no, to be foolish, bu, shall no, come on. Good bye, sir. Good bye, all of you
 Except me" exclaimed the Flute.
 Yes, except you. shall walk home with you," and they turned away, leaving Mir. Patterson looking after them.
 When Poke Easy reached home he found his father and mother in the "big room." where the conversation, already related, was held.