Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-04-26
UNCLE JoSHUA'S ADVICE.

hlltlc Was tuc picttiest "hu "s WV S"N
time the most coquettish girl in Swanto,
and, woman-like, was playing "fast and
loose" with poor Reuben.
Reuben had never openly svowed his
affection, though it was rapidly becoming
"soulfully intense" when, after partic-
ularly exasporating interview with the
fair Kittie, he resolved to lay bare his heart
to his old Uncle Joshua, and seek the lat
ter's advice.
Uncle Joshua was, in fact, his nearest
relative, and lived only short distance
from where Reuben was employed. Reu-
ben had done many little kindnesses for
the old man-whO, in return, felt almost
q fathers interest in his welfare and hap
piness; so Reuben felt, when he went to
consult him concerning his tendrcsse, that
his advice would, though coming from one
who might almost be supposed to have
forgotten all about the gentle passion, be
sincere and thoughtful.
With this conclusion, Reuben, With a
very "heart hungry" fecling-the imme-
diate result Of the above mentioned inter-
view with Kittie-wended his way slowly
ND to the little red house where the old
man lived. The least faint traces of the
SUMS glory were rapidly fading away in
the horizon, the bright stars were just
commencing 70 twinkle merrily, and all
the air held solemn stiffness, as if wait
ing for night to draw more closely her
sable mantle.
At such times, if ever, the human heart
turns to thoughts of love; and Reubcn's,
already turned in that direction, was ac-
tually filled to overfowins with the gem
tie emotion. Could he have done so, he
would, without doubt, have woven the
most woeful ballads to the fair kittie's
eyebrows-but hc was no poet, SO he SIM
ply yearned.
AS Reuben came up to the house he
found Uncle Josh, as lie usually called
him, seated OH the stoOp. His chair was
tilted back; his venerable head, fringed
with gray scanty locks, was barred to the
evening breeze; and, like the ill-fated
skipper of the Hesperus, "his pipe was in
his mouth"
oval, Reuben" he said, as peering
through tho deepening twilight, he dis
covered the love-sick youth approaching,
''haow de do: Come right up and set
down. Anythin' new?''
"Nothing much," replied Reuben, me
chanically pulling up rude chair bot
toned with strips of rawhide, and seating
himself near by.
"You amt heared nothin' about the old
brindlc what strayed, hev ye?" asked the
old man, anxiously.
"No," replied Reuben, slowly; 81 came
on quite different erland. Tho fact 10,
uncle, I-I-Q might as we'll tell it, Pm
in love, and l came to ask your advice
about it."
oval, naow, you don't say?" said the
old granger, and pursing up his lips, he
uttered long, low whistle.
For q few moments he remained silent,
far-off look in his aged eyes, as if the
revelation recalled old, almost forgotten
memories, and then he said, turning to-
ward Reuben, and drawing his chair
little nearer to him, "Wal, tell the old
man all about it-thar amt nothin', to
commence with, thet docs SO much good
rs to let it aout." So, leaning back in his
chair again, he listened while Reuben
told the old, old story-how the feeling
had gradually come upon him that he
loved Kittie with all all-absorbing passion
Cor words to that effect; how he basked
in the sunshine Of her smiles one day,
and was by her coldness plunged into the
very apathy of despair the next; how he
WAS beset with fears that she liked Bill
Simpson better than she did him; how he
was afraid, if he asked her, that she
would say no-that lie was sure II she did
it would kill him, ETC., etc.
The old man listened attentively-who,
of whatever age, ever failed 10 take some
interest in the ''oft-told tale"-and when
the young man had finished he took his
pipe from his mouth, coughed once or
twice, and delivered himself Of these
memorable words:
"Eeuby, my boy, you've got it bad
there amt no doubt OH it-and III tell
you q secret what nobody amt heard for
nigh onter nifty year."
Here the old mans voice grew 4 little
husky, and he blew his nose fiercely with
n large red handkerchief which he took
from his forehead for the purpose.
"Women is queer creturs. l loved one
onct, and onct only, and I'm just ez sure
ez be that I'm settin' here that lost her
by lovin' of her too much, an lettin' her
know it too soon. That was my expert
ence, an hev seen stacks of like cases
sence."
"Wal, ez was saying, just so soon ez
woman feels she hez 4 man, heart and
soul, just so soon she hain't no use fur
him; she begins to sigh, ez the old primer
says, fur new worlds to conquer. What
she ken have she don't want, an what
she can't have she wants worse kind.
dts what schooled people calls the un-
ertainable that everybody's arter, espe-
cially women folks. You never want to
set too store by nnthin'; for il you do,
you'll be almost sure to lose it. Struggle
to hide your feelin's all yer ken, whether
yer huntin' for sweetheart, wife or a
caow! In the case in pint, do your level
best to make the gal think you don't set
much store by her. Don't let on how
much took you be with her, and don't on
no account say nothia' about love, least