Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-06-19

maIfgo, and a number fourteen shoe
give him dignity otherwise impossible
to obtain. His speech was slow and de-
liberate, indicative of mind much
given to inward thoughts, and his ears
were large and wayward, restless with
every motion that fitted across his ex-
pansive face. As an only son and pre-
sumptive heir to much land and some
stock, his presence was always desira-
BILE one at the little social gatherings
that enlivened each side ofthe "branch."
The woman in the case, Miss Sophy
Giggles, was a winsome creature OF
some nineteen years, voluptuous as to
outline, and tasty as to dress.
Her complexion was clear, healthy
brown, and dazzling white teeth lent
splendor to her frequent smiling. The
way she frightened up her hair during
the work and let it out on Sundays, con-
yinced all Of her inherent genius, and
her singing is said to have made many
a mocking-bird pull out its tail feathers
in sheer envy. She had worked two sea-
sons in Tallahassee, also, so to her other
charms were added the vague but deli
cious retinements of city life.
No wonder the little boy Cupid used
her as bow from which to launch his
dainty arrows. Given the place and ma
terial, he could not have displayed much
greater wisdom.
Both men were in love with her that
was plainly to be seen. Both settle
ments knew it, snickercd at it, gossiped
over it and speculated as to OIL whom
the choice would fall.
Sophy, like most Of her sex, was
born coquette, and gave no sign Of ia
voritism. If she went to ball with "Ju"
one night she went to a festival with
Ananias the next, and accepted the six
sticks of sugar cane with the same sweet
smile and honeyed thanks from one, as
she did the quart of peanuts and sus-
pender buckle from the other. Neither
had ever kissed her-so she said-al-
though the attempt had been often made,
and it was an open question as to who
would eventually win.
The climax came one day in balmy
June, when the birds were singing their
sweetest, and the mud turtles felt a
throb of joy in their gentle bosoms, and
old Aunt Jenny was the cause of it. She
had dropped into the house of Jerusa-
lem's parents for social chat, and find
ing no one home but his father, good
old Uncle Hypothenuse Johnson, the
conversation rapidly drifted into the di-
rection of his love affairs.
81 year your son gwinter be kicked
by Sophy Giggles, Uncle Muse. Am
dat ?" said Jenny, inquisitively.
81 dunno, | dunno, Aunt jimmy" was
the reply; "but eff she marries thet
trihin, owdocious, yeller niger, Ana
niah, she's gwinter be sorry fer hit be-
fo' de var am out"
"Well, Uncle Muse, dat boy Mas
am right peart boy, an l year he's got
right smart bunch OBJ cattle in &c
woods somewhat"
"Right smart bunch oh cattle!" said
Uncle Muse, contemptuously. "Sho',
on'y got three bull yearlin's un' one ole
cow. Look here, Aunt jimmy" excited
ly, "lemme show you wha' my boy JUL
git when he gifts married." And the
old man opened musty old trunk that
stood in one corner of the room, and,
after much delving therein, and much
hard breathing, brought out an old
stocking. Glancing cautiously around,
even going to the door to see If any one
was approaching, lie showed Aunt
Jenny its precious contents, a goodly
store of gold and silver, with some bills.
Then carefully replacing it he resumed
his seat.
"Huh, Right smart bunch OBJ cattle,
eh Aunt jimmy" impressively, "when
thet boy Oh mine gifts married he gifts
four-hun' rid dollars an twenty
-acres-ob-geod-lan'."
That settled it; as Aunt Jenny on
her way home met Sophy when about
half way there, there could be but one
result. That night, by previous en-
gagcment, Ju took Miss Sophy 10 a
festival held at the residence Of Rev.
Capsicum Grant, on the way back got
his courage to the sticking point, told
his love, and was coyly but promptly
accepted. The kiss that followed near
ly made an owl tumble from his perch
near by, and so bewildered him that All
audacious tree toad sang an air from
Norma under his very nose.
The news of the betrothal was known
all over the neighborhoOd next morn
ing, and then the storm came. That
same morning was sitting In my Office
trying to evolve An editorial on cur
rent topic, when the door thrilled be-
meath a most lugubrious knock.
In answer to my "come in" behold
the long, lank figure Of Ananias. His
countenance wore look Of mingled fe-
rocity and melancholy.
"Cap'pen," said he, II has come to
you fer some disvice."
showed my writing materials aside
and motioned him to chair. Then /
lit cigar, the brand l particularly af-
fect-O. P.-(other peOple's), and said
proceed"
He shuffied awkwardly to the chair,
took position oil the extreme edge Of 1t,
and began his monody:
"Cap'pen, | has been courtin' Mis-;
Sophy Giggles gwine onter two years