The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1885-06-20
A BASHFUL MAN.
81 Whiting Tells the Story of His
Courtship.

/ was the most bashful man that ever
lived. That is the reason | had not q
wife at thirty.
For living out in wild place as l
did, man needs wife about twenty
times more than he needs one in the
city whore there are always plenty Of
people to keep him company.
used to wonder and wonder how l
could get up courage to propose long
after | knew Polly White, though the
minute l saw her I loved her dearly,
and l used to think: If it was Polly's
sister Abby, now, why, it might be
easier.
Abby was very like Polly, only twelve
or fourteen years older, married, and
the mother of four children. and we
used to have lots of talk about every
thing, for her husband, Jack Mark
ham, lived next to me. Our lands
joined and we'd look over the garden
fence and chatter by the hour, Mrs.
Markham and 1. Polly lived with her
sister, but she was as shy as good lit
tie school girl, and Eyes" or mo-"
was about all the answer could get to
my remarks about the weather. But
Abby Markham told me good deal
about Polly. That she had no sweet
heart. That she was q good house
keeper, That she'd make any man
happy who married her. l knew all
that, but though l kept falling more
and more in love with her for two long
years, l couldn't say anything to her.
At last remember it was early
spring. was driving up from the sta
ton, when saw Abby Markham at the
store steps, and called out to her:
elbow d'you doP"
"First rate" said she, "and I'm 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 l jumped out of the
wagon and helped her in, handed up
her bundles and took the reins. She
smiled at me and looked SO cosy and
comfortable and sister-like that made
up my mind / would speak to her-tell
her just how loved Polly, and ask her
what my prospects were, and to speak
for me. 1t seemed a kind of a mean
way; felt that; but could not propose
to Polly right out; and if waited much
longer, why, some other fellow would
come along and l should lose her. So
sat beside her, answering what she
said, and putting off what had to say
until we got to the gate, and then it
was dusk, so that l could just barely see
her face. Then spoke in hurry:
Mrs. Markham" said l, II want to
talk to you. IL want to talk about
Miss Polly, your sister. Miss Polly,
Ill want to ask, toto say-I-I-
IL"
Don't take to stammering, 81 Whit
ing" said Abby Markham, laughing.
Catch your breath. You want to
talk to ME about Sister PollyP"
Eyes, ma'am," said /.
Every good" said Mrs: Markham.
II rather think / know what you've
got to say-do IP''
Yes, am sure you do. No one
could know your sister Polly without
loving her." said l. ~ want a wife,
and FL"
Isl Whiting" said Abby, ~ tell you
jest what to do. Go out there into the
arbor under the honeysuckle and sit on
the bench, and I'll put my groceries
away and come and listen quietly
that is, if you have really something
serious to say, for think when man
talks about such things he ought to be
serious.
II am, Mrs. Markham" said /, "only
| never can speak to girl. II don't
know why"
Abby laughed again and ran away,
with her blue waterproof cloak over
her head-the women of our place
often dressed that way to do their err
ran IS, and looked better so than CITY
ladies in all their finery-and l went
into the arbor and sat there waiting,
making up my mind to be bold about
the thing at last. was not fool; why
need act like onep
1t grew darker. l could Just see
Abby as she came out of the house,
and was like pretty little shadow as
she sat down beside me. She did not
say anything, so l had to begin myself.
ABBY" l said, Pm pretty well OFF
I've been saving ten years, and you
know my home and my place. want
to marry. Do you think Polly would
have meP"
"Why don't you ask herr" said
Abby, very softly.
II am afraid" said !, "she's as shy
rs am Hshe should say no, / should