The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-09-11
PETER MACKEY'S THREE SWEET.
HEARTS.

Though l amp suppose, an old
maid, | take much interest in other
peoples love affairs. My friends know
and humor this little weakness, and
consequently in the course of twenty
years or so | have collected large
number of loye-stories. They are of
alkinds sad, joyful, touching, absurd,
sentimental, or eccentric. But perhaps
the oldest of them all is the one | am
about to relate.
The reasons which decided me to
spend twelvemonth in certain little
Aberdeenshire village, unknown to
common ken, need not be entered into
here. had cottage to myself, and
one maid-servant, by name Mary
Duthie. And what a pretty creature
she was, with her golden hair and big
gray eyes, and tall supple figure. II
was real pleasure to see her at her
work. in her spotless lilac gown and
tucked-up sleeves, and to watch the
fascinating, unconscious grace with
which she did the simplest thing.
am afraid | spoiled that girl. She
was engaged to Jem Leslie, d farmer s
son, who nearly worried the life out OF
her by his jealousy-for which | sus-
pect he had sometimes cause. The two
quarreled nearly every Sabbath, but
always made it up again in the course
OF the week; SO that Twas by no means
surprised when Mary informed
me one day that she had broken
off with Jem Leslie forever; but
very much astonished indeed to hear a
few weeks later, that she had promised
herself to Peter Mackey.
''Well, Mary" / said to her, 81 do
not wish to intermeddle with love-
affairs, but must say that think Jem
the better man of the, two" ~
But Mary tossed her pretty head and
remarked with referenceto her rejected
lover, that ''she was weary O.. the
creatures havers, an had jist tauld
him that he medina fash himself aboot
her'ony mair, for she cud cen taxi care
o. her main SELL" Peter Mackey, she
told me, was to start for Aberdeen, a
well-to-do uncle having found good
situation for him there.
l knew something of Mr.. Peter, as he
was my landlords only son. He was a
tall. handsome young fellow, with q
''gweed aneuch heid,n as his father
used to say, but an all-too- susceptible
heart. A pretty face captiYated him
directly, though his attachments were
generally more violent than lasting. l
had made up my mind that he would
marry Jeanie Saunderson, handsome
enough lassie, good housekeeper, and
an heiress in small way, but Jeanie had
lett live or six months ago for London,
10 visit an infirm aunt, and now Peter
was engaged to Mary Duthie | was
Texed about the whole affair, especially
as sympathised with poor Jem Leslie.
ct certainly it. was no concern of
mine.
do not think that Mary ever re-
ceived any love-letters from Aberdeen.
u was not the fashion in her village in
nose NOSE days for lovers to correspond.
bqt she always wore round her neck
nan OF the sixpence which Peter had
broken with her, so that began to be
quite in despair for my favorite Jem.
but after three months or so from
feter Mackey's departure for Aberdeen,
some little incidents occurred which
light. = ~ ~
Inc first of these events was the re-
sarn OF Jeanie Saunderson from Lon
aon' and visit paid by her to her old
as9ualntanee. Mary Duthie The two
siTls mad not been together more than
quarter of an hour, when sounds of
lolent weeping proceeded from the
stssehen. fastening in to see what was
sne matter, | found Jeanie and Mary
,naIlagling their tears over some letters
M mnlcn lay on the table. Jeanie greeted
e .bo Ies pecttully, and on my enquiring
ias 49, cause OF their grief, handed me a
nap,a msa gs be pleased to read that,