The Wilmingtonian., 1885-03-21
THE STORY TELLER.
81 Writings Courtship.

lived. That is the reason had not wife
at thirty.
For living out in wild place as | did, a
man needs wife about twenty times more
than he needs one in the city where there
are always plenty of people to keep him
company.
used to wonder and wonder how could
get courage to propose long after | knew
Polly White, though the minute l saw her
loved her dearly, and used to think: If
it was Polly's sister Abby, now, why, it
might be easier.
Abby was very like Polly, only twelve or
thirteen years older, married, and the moth
er Of four children and we used to have lots
of talk about everything, for her husband,
Jack Markham, lived next to me.
Our lands Joined and we'd look over the
garden fence and chatter by the hour, Mrs.
Markham and l. Polly lived with her sister
but she was as shy as a good little school
girl, and ''yes," or mo, " was about all the
answor nnuld get to my remarks about tho
weather.
But Abby Markham told me good deal
about Polly. That she had no sweet heart.
That she was a good bOusekeeper. That
she'd make any man happy who married
her. knew all that, but though l kept
falling more in love with her for two log
years, couldn't say anything to her.
At last-I remember 1t was early spring
l was driving up from the station, when l
saw Abby Markham at the store steps, and
called out to her:
''How d'you do2'
"First rate," said she, land glad to see
you, for don't care about the long walk
home with my parcels, and Jack has gone
miles away with the team"
was glad to drive her over, and so told
her, and jumped out of the wagon and
helped her In, handing up her bundles and
took the reins. She smiled at me, and look
ed so cosy and comfortable and sister-like
that made up my mind would speak to
her-tell her just how l loved Polly, and
ask her what my prospects were, and to
speak for me.
1t seemed kind Of q mean way; / felt
tbat. hut 7 oonId mot ,roroea +o pnlI,, ,i,,bt
out; and if waited much longer, why, some
other fellow would come along and should
lose her. SO l sat beside her, answering
what she said, and putting off what had to
say until we got to her gate, and then it was
dusk, so that l could just barely see her
face. Then l spoke in a hurry
"Mrs. Markham" said !, Il want to talk
to you. II want to talk about Miss Polly,
our sister. Miss Polly, ILL want to
ask, TOTO say-I-I-I-"
"Don't take to stammering, 81 Whiting"
said Abby Markham, laughing. "Catch
your breath. You want to talk to me about
sister Polly"
eyes ma'am," said l.
"Very good" said Mrs. Markham. 81
rather think know what you've got to say
do ~"
"Yes, I'm suie you do. No one could
know your sister Polly without loving her."
said l. II want q wife. and IL"
"si Whiting" said Abby, 81 tell you just
what to do. Go out there into the arbur
under the honeysuckle and sit en- the bench,
and I'll put my groceries away and come
and listen quietly-that is, if you have real
ly something serious to say, for l think
when man talks about such things he
ought to be serious"
~ am, Mrs. Markham" said l, ''only l
never can speak to girl. IL don't know
why"
Abby laughed again and ran away, with
her blue waterproof cloak tucked about her,
aud the hood drawn over her head--the
women of our place often dressed that way
to do their errauds and looked better so
than the city ladies in all their finery-and
went into the arbor and sat there waiting,
making up my mind to be bold about the
thing at last. 7 was not a fool; why need 1
act like one?
1t grew darker. could just see Abby as
she came out Of the house, and she was like
pretty little shadow as she sa. down be-
side me- She did not say anything, so l
had to begin myself
''Abby," said, 'I'm pretty we'll off.
have been saving ten years, and you know
my home and my place. 1 want to marry.
Do you think Polly would have me P'
"Why don'tyou ask herP" said Abby,
very softly.
'Im afraid, said I, "she's as shy as l
am. If she should say NO, should die
right here. Abby, does she like meq"
'She don't know whether you like her, !"
said Abby, in whisper.
"But do. Tlove her from the bottom
of my heart" said L. "Tcn her that,
Abby"
''What will she think of you if you can't
do your bwn courting?" said the little wom-
an in blue waterproof, giggling.