The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-08-16
THE FIRST PROPOSAL.

.
considerable renown, having already
accumulated princely fortune, and the
possessor of beautiful mansion on
Lexington avenue. He withheld no
pleasure that wealth could procure for
bis wife and daughter. An affectionate
father, yet he did not allow his indul-
lence to become the cause of his daugh- |
ter's injury In after years. Kate devel- |
oped the beautiful attributes Of her
nature in the sunshine of her happy
home.
The hot, sultry days of summer were
becoming oppressive in the city, and
DR.. Ludington concluded to give his
family an agreeable surprise, change
from the usual fashionable summer
resorts.
He engaged rooms and board IN a
farmhouse near the picturesque little
town of Leth6eld. Kate's love of ma
ture and freedom could here be enjoyed
without the tyrannical impositions of
fashion to interfere or poison by restric-
ton.
She soon became the pet of the fam
lily, and her pleasant manners and
friendly greeting won the friendship of
all the neighborhood. There was scarce
ly day that did not find Kate scaling
fences, traversing meadows, or explor-
ing the woody glen, which always
brought increased pleasure, and richer
color to her cheek.
Near the farmhouse lived country
lad, Philander Sklvins, who had fallen
deeply in love with Kate at first sight.
One day she asked him to show her the
whereabouts Of Sidney Falls. After
this Kate was never in want of Philan-
der's presence. Every day he could be
seen hanging around the farmhouse,
dressed in his Sunday-go-to-meetings,
which consisted of a pam of homespun
trousers, rather short at one end; blue
swallow.tail coat with brass buttons, a
present from bis grandfather, who had
graced many general training with
his presence and military genius. OF
course, the sleeves were six inches too
long; but, then, they could be turned
over, and, being lined with red flannel,
gave an additional elegance to his appear
ance. This constituted his dress. 1t is
fair to presume, as he went bare footed,
that boots were not then required by ye
gods of fashion.
Philander was just merging into his
nineteenth year, an age susceptible of
much cOnvivial elasticity.
BY some reason, best known to her
self, Kate, on nany of her Tambles, ac.
cepted the company of her deYotee.
Philander became hopelessly IN love,
and how to successfully make known
his affection caused HIM many sIeepless
nights. Each day brought new tokens
OF his devotion, either a hatful Of
plums or pocketful of berries.
One day Philander surprised Kate
with change of program, in the shape
of bouquet Of wild flowers, such "a!
the mullen, snap dragon, dandelion anC
daisy, tied together with strip of rec
calico, accompanied with the declara
ton Of his long pent.up love, transmit
ted with blue ink, upon a sheet of pa
per, carefully scalloped around tn,
edges with a pair of scissors, and tn
border stained with pOke-berry juice.
Dearest Cate, idle of my eye,
think, YOU be the sweetest gal l eve
see; the sweetest chunk of anythin,
rlugtargl tnfrathay ~ !
ing the highly centering of this sub
stance IN the shape of 'lasses candy,
acknowledge you as the guider of NJ,
future. Pop says if you marry me
Shall have whole acre south of tn
barn to plant; and, dearest Kate 20,
shall have the bOsslng of 1T. Just thin
of that, dearest Kate. But this
deVlating from my love. Fouls G
the air, fishes of the sea, and quad
riples, animals of the land have mate!
and l Want mine too, dearest Cate
have dollar and a shilling Whic
you shall keep when we get marie
until | want 1t. You can milk oil
Molly and feed the chickens while d
the chores. Thus Well suffer not
minutes separation. If you and the o.
folks didn't agree we would leave 'e
anu ll'NO hHDbnllos N9Lill llERlllRo Ill
been awful sweet to me of late, but
hain't took any notice Of her since L S
you.
You may feel kinder modest abo
answering this ere love letter, but "
needn't be afraid; III go behind t
-, barn to read it, and then hide it und
the haymOw. Your lOvenist.
PHILANDER. y
When Kate read this she was sitti
upon a grassy knoll near the roadsiC
Her mind had been so occupied wi
decphering thus eplstle that she did l
notice the approach of two gentleml
Her merry laugh, as she finished rel
ing, arrested the attention of the q
men. She soon caught sight of the
and, with frightened color, check
her mrth.
why, Cousin Charlie, where
Mr.. BrOuhan, allow me to introd,
Miss Ludington, my cousin, of whoI
have often spoken"
The speaker was a rather tall you
man with frank, open countenance q
"a mlschieyous eye, that bespoke kt
relish for fun.
His companion, Edgar Brouhan
college chum, had accepted Charli
invitation to spend vacation with HI
When Charlie found his fair cousin '
spending the summer in the country,
concluded to follow and share the pl
sures with her.
Edgar Brouhan was the son of v
son Brouhan, NJ. G. A young man
ability, he gave promise of useful
tuTe.