Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1884-06-27
saw every day.


were not dressed in modern style, and
he could not for the life of him see
whereabouts on that dear old head any
Of these gyp-y's or fanchons would
rest. He remembered that long ago
Aunt Betsy was wont to twist her hair
with the same energy that distinguish
ed all her movements, and that this
operation resulted in harl knot at
the back of her head like door han
die, which certainly would not harmo-
nizc with these careless head-dresses.
Just as his brow was overcast with
the thought, the pale girl came near
Uncle Abel, her cheek blushing as she
did so in defiance of the other girls,
holding in her hand plain Leghorn
bonnet, trimmed with violet ribbons.
She wore mourning dress, and the
plain brouch at her throat held lock
of gray hair. / think this might suit
you, SIR she sail. If your wife don't
dress her hair in these fashions, these
bonnets would not do at all. This is
rich and plain. and covers the back Of
the head and neck
Wal now, tell me, for | have got so
bothered with these things that don't
know one from the t'other. | want to
get bonnet for Betsy, and mean to.
Now just tell me if you would like
your mother TO wear one like this.
On, beg your pardon, ma'am. |
didn't see, and he touched the sleeve
of her black dress. IL am sorry
The Young lady brushed off u tear
quickly, rs she said. Il have no moth
er now: but You'll trust me-, sir, |
think this will suit
She stool, hitherto, just ont of the
range of john Dare's vision, and had
not seen him at all. Something in the
sound Of her voice attracted him, per
hapS, and when I ncle Abel called:
Here. John Dare he stepped hasti
Is enough toward them. The girl
thrust the bonnet into Uncle Absl's
hanls. and wouli have been out Of
sight + her Dir s. had not caught one
of the branching stands and held her
fat
AMY :, and John Dare, with hot
flush on his face. caught her hand and
so detained her.
Amy Egbert, have | found you at
last
The girls face grew white and red
by turns. and the words she spoke
came so slow aud broken that only
John could each their meaning.
Uncle Abtl pushed his spectacles
up uu hts forrtr It, sriii holding the
hat in his hand, looking open mo nth
ed from oue"to the other
j guess YOU must have known this
Young waman afore, didn't you : he
said but John was too busy with ca
ger questions. and Amy was trembling
and flushing as she tried To speak
cIlmly. and 50 his questions were un
answered. Pretty Josie was dividing
her attention between a new customer
and the strange scene beside her. and
between anger and modification she
looked in no need of help from rouge,
as she tossed her head aud muttered
various uncourteous remarks In regard
to ANY Eghcrt and her beau.
Uncle Abel held the hat a while
longer quite patiently, but at last de
SPARED OF the interview being ended,
So he coughel and then said:
III take the bunuit Twenty dol
lars is u good deal. Betsy's worth it,
ain't she .IGhn"
John need not have started so, or
said Very which wasn't suitable
answer at all; but Uncle Able laugh
ed little TO himself, and said softly,
'Oh, bows will be bows aud he was
obliged to tell Miss Egbert the direc-
tion over twice, too, and felt quite un
easy lest it should not arrive at his no.
tel in time.
Outside the door Jnhn turned to
leave his uncle and looked as shy as a
girl, as he said: Its all right, Uncle
Abel: you've found new bonnet, and
I've found a-a-an old friend
Uncle Abel held his hand fast, and
looked moment. without speaking,
in Johns face in wistiul way; then
said, looking in the yourg mans eyes,
she's a motherless girl, John
Uncle Abel " and John turned an
grily away, orwould have done so if the
detaining hand had not held him with
grasp which sixty years had mot
weakened. Look: here my boy, |
meant no otfense. None of my blood
turn Villains he added proudly, but
you see she's young and purity and for
lorn, and maybe, if YOU See too much
of her, she might get to thinkin' more
Of you than would be good for her,
and if you amt in earnest | guess
'twould break her heart. Shake hands
with your uncle, my boy, | mean no
harm; but promised Liza when she
was on her dying bed, that | would al
ways Try to give you good advice, and
the last words Almost that she spoke,
SAYS she, 'Atel, watch over my boy.'
My dear, kind uncle, | thank you,
indeed, | do, for all your kindness,
but | could not bear to think that you
should misjudge me. | knew Amy,
long ago, when her parents were both
living, and she had all that wealth
could give. | loved her then in sort
Of quiet way, but | was too poor,o tell
her so Then came reverses, and
death, and in her poverty and pride
the girl hid herself from me resolutely
until now. She tried to earn her
bread by her accomplishments, but
failed, and gladly took this means to
do so. Now if | can win her for my
wife | shall bring Mrs. John Dare to
see you some fine day this summer;
may | Uncle Abel?'
So they parted, and the passers-by
little dreamed of all that had been said.
Wall, wall, if things don't turn
out queer? soliloquized Uncle Abel,
homeward bound, with a band box
,>1oool hn h,c.>rn h,,>,