West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-06-19

lips were large and luscious, like slices
of ripe mango, and Number fourteen
shoe gave HIM a dignity otherwise inn
possible 10 obtain. His speech was slow
and deliberate. indicative of a mind much
given To inward thoughts, and his ears
were large and Maynard, restless with
every emotion that fitted across his eN
pansive face. AS an only son and pre-
sumptive heir To much land and some
stock. his presence was always "A desir-
able one at the little social gatherings
that enlivoned each side of the 'branch."
The woman in the case, Miss Sophv
Giggles, was winsomc 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 ughtened up her ha.r during
the work and let il out on SUNDAYS.
convinced all Of her inherent genius,
and her singing is said to have made
many mocking-bird pull out its tail
| feathers in sheer envy. She had worked
two seasons in Tallahassee, also, so TO
her other charms were added the vague
but delicious rciinements of city life.
No wonder the little boy Cupid used
her as bow from which to launch his
dainty arrows. Given the place and
material, 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 10, snickered at il, gossiped
over 1T and speculated as TO on whom
the choice would fall
Sophy, like most of her sex, was "A
born coquctte. and gave no sign of ia
Vorltlsm. If she went to a ball with
'Ju one night she went to a festival
with AnanlaS the next, and accepted
the SIX sticks OF sugar cane with the
same sweet smile and honeycd thanks
from one, as she did the quart of pea
nuts and suspender buckle from the
other Neither had ever kissed her
so she said-although the attempt had
been often made. and it was an open
question as to who would eventually
win.
The climax came one dav i'm balmv
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 parents for social chat. and find
ing no one home but his father, good
old Uncle Hypothenuse johnson, the
conversation rapidly drifted in the di-
rection of his love affairs.
II year your son gwinter be kicked
by Sophy Giggles, Uncle Muse. Am
dat SOP said Jenny, inquisitively.
II dunno, | dunno, Aunt jimmy, was
the reply; but Of she marries tibet
tritlin, owdacious, yeller niger, An
aniah, she gwinter be sorry fer hit be-
TO de var am out
'Well, Uncle Muse, dat boy Mas
am ii right peart boy, an | wear he's
got right smart bunch oh cattle i'm de
woods somewhat
Right smart bunch OBJ cattler' said
Uncle Muse, contemptuously. "Sho'.
on Y got three bull yearlin's UNI one ole
cow. Look yer, Aunt jimmy excited
ly, ''lemme show you wha' my bow
JUL git when he gifts MARKEDLY 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 ont AN
old stocking. CHANGING cautiously
around, even going to the door to see
II any one was approaching, he showed
Aunt Jenny its precious contents. n
goodly store OF gold and silver. with
some bills. Then carefully replacing it
he resumed his seat.
"Huh! Right smart bunch OBJ cattle.
ELI? Aunt jimmy" impressively, when
thet boy oh mine gifts married he gifts
four-hun err d dollars-an' twenty
acres-ob-good Ian"
That settled it; as Aunt Jenny on her
way home met Sophy when about half
way there, there could be but one re-
suit. That night by previous engage
ment, ia took Miss Sophy to 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 nearly made an owl
tumble from his perch near by, and so
bewlldered him that an 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 i'm nv office
trying TO evolve an editorial on a chr.
rent topic. when the door thrilled be-
meath most lugubrious knock.
In answer TO my "come i'm behold
the long, lank figure of Ananlas. Iii,
countenance wore a look of MINGLED
ierocity 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
Int cigar the brand ] particularly af-
iecct-O p (other peopie's), and said
"Proceed.'
lie shuiiled awkwardly TO the chair
took position ON the extreme edge of n
and began his monody:
Cap pen, / has been courtin' Miss
Sophy Giggles gwine onter two wears
has bOugbten her lots Oh candy
plnder-' an sech like truck. kerried her
to festibules, camp mectin's. am
-curshins, IN oh course I was spectip'
TO ask her TO marry me. but Yesterday
which was ChusDdav. she went an
promise To marry dat black no count |
Niger, Jerusalem. don care so
much about dat Cap pen. but dis morn.
ing be stuck out his tongue m me an
ncbber lows no gentleman ter do
do" mus
It is the principal weakness Of NV
many weaknesses never TO allow am on F.
Porilnity to pass for fun Here was a
brilliant chance. ! embraced H.
Mas ! said "yOu are "a gcpfIo.
man, are you GOt2"
yes. Sab. said he, "a Souf Car .
inv gentleman. -ah."