Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-06-23
a Very Bashful Man.

Senator Sebastian, of Arkansas, was
native Of Hickman county, Tenn. On one
occasion member OF Congress was Ia
menting his bashfulness and awkward
ness. "Why," said the Senator from
Rackensack, "you don't know what BASH
fulness is. Let me tell you story, and |
will stand the bob if you don't agree that
YOU never knew anything about bashful-
ness aud its baneful effects. | was the
most bashful boy west Of the Alleghaniss.
| wouldn't look at girl, much less speak
to a maiden; but for all that fell desper-
ately in love with sweet, beautiful neigh
Dor girl 1t was q desirable match OIL both
sides, and the old folks saw the drift, and
fixed it up. / thought should die just
thinking of it. l was gawky, awkward
country lout, about nineteen years old.
She was an intelligent, refined, and fairly
well educated girl in country and ut q
time when girls had superior advantages,
and were, therefore, superior in culture
to the boys. l fixed the day rs far as
could have it put of. | lay awake in
cold perspiration as the time drew near,
and shivered with agony as thought Of
the terrible ordeal.
The dreadful day came. Invent through
wit. the programme somehow, In dnzed,
confused, mechanical sort of way, like an
automaton by, through supper where
1 could cat nothing, and through such
games, as "pessum pie, ""sis,er Phoebe"
and all that sort of thing. The guests one
by one departed and my hair began to
stand on end. Beyond the awful curtain
Of Isis lay the terrible unknown. Ny
blood grew cold and boiled by turns. l
was in fever and an ague, pale and
flushed by turns. l felt like fleeing to the
woods, spending the night In the barn,
leaving for the West never to return. 1
was deeply devoted to Sallis. 1loved her
harder than q mule can kick; but that
dreadful ordeal-I could not, dare not
stand it. Finally the last guest was gone,
the bride retired, the family gone to bed,
aud was left alone-horror Of horrors,
alone with the old man. "John," said
he, "you can take the candle; you will
find your room just over this. Goodnight,
John, and may the Lord have mercy on
your SOUL" and with mischierous
twinkle of his fine gray eye, the old man
loft the room. mentally said "Amen"
to this, "Heaven help YOU" and when I
heard him close distant door, staggered
to my feet and seized tho farthing dip with
q nervous grip. stood for some minutes
contemplating my terrible fate, and the
inevitable anG speedy doom about to ever
whelm me. knew that 1t could net be
avoided, but yet hesitated to meet my
fate like q man. stood so long that three
love-letters had grown on the wick Of the
tallow dip and winding sheet was dec
Grating the side Of the brass candlsstiok.
A happy thought struck mo. hastily
climbed the stair, marked the position Of
the landing and the Goor Of the bridal
chamber. 1 would have died before 1
would have disrobed in that holy cham
Der, whore awaited nae trembling and
beautiful cir, a blushing maiden, "clothsd
upon" with her own beauty and msdssty,
and her snowy robe de mutt. l would
make the usual preparations without, blow
cut the light, open the door and friendly
night would shield my shrinking modesty
and basbfulness, and grateful darkness at
least mitigate the horror Of the situation. 1t
was soon done. Preparations for retiring
were few and simple in their character In
Hickman, altogether consisting Of dis
robing, and owing to the scarcity Of
cloth in those days man was somewhere
near tho Adamic state when he was pre-
pared to WOO sweet sleep. The dreadful
hour had come; was ready. blew out
the light, graspsd the door knob with q
deadly grip and nervous clutch; one mo-
ment and it would be over. One moment
and it wasn't over by - sight. 1
leapsd within, and there, around . glow
ing hickory fire, with candles brightly
burning on the mattel and bureau, was
the blushing bride, surrounded by tho
Eve lovely bridesmaids"