Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-09
WON A WIFE AT DosIINoEs.
The Game was "Muggins" and the
Lovely Prize Kept Tally.
From the Neas York Journal.


NEwBuRG, Feb. 2.-Josfah Strong and Lem
uel Hicks. of Ulster Park, near EsOpus, New
York, loved the same girl They knew it and
SO did she. The favored creature was Miss
Hattie smythe, sylph-like and Il years old,
and sole heiress to Farmer Smythe's big farm.
Madly the young men had courted her for
m 'nths and kept tally OF her smiles. Up to
last night each had received an equal share.
Ihey learned this fact upon comparing notes.
Good naturedly they resolved 10 lay siege to
the citadel Of love and did so.
>, Together they repaired to her home. Miss
HATTIE met them at the door and gracefully
led the way 10 the parlor. An embarrassing
pause followed few casual remarks about
the sleighing, which was finally broken by
Lemuel, VINO arose, stole to Hattie's side and
whispered:
Hattie, we both love you, but 1 love you
best; Will you marry me?'
Deep bushes crept up the damsel's cheeks
until they Kissed her bangs, but she did not
speak. Instantly JOSIAH stumbled out OF his
chair and made his passionate declaration,
which, of course, only added to Miss Hattie's
confusion.
do you love either of usp" exclaimed the
rivals in chorus.
Several seconds OF painful silence ensued,
while the young men tOyed with their NOUS
taches and glared at the carpet.
'Gentlemen," tremulously spoke the girl,
with an effort to hide her EN- Ition, ~ think
you are both sincere, and / will be honest in
turn. | regard you both as my friends, and
feel the warmest friendship in return, but
cannot declare myself devoted TO either. l
am not Il lirt, nor do l want to wound your
hearts when | say that love you, Lemuel, as
why"
After this strange confession poor Hattie
could repress her tears no longer, but neither
suiUOr dared to kiss them away under the
painful existing circumstances. Josiah
glanced furtively at his rival, who met his
gaze with vengeful CLEAN in his eyes,
Ihere was another agoniZing suspense,
which the girl, on recovering a sem0lance of
composure, sought to relieve by suggesting
probationary period of one month or one year
until her heart could make its own choice.
But neither rival felt sufficiently sure of the
reSnl. TO accent such an rXpedient
1T must be now or never" said Josiah.
lie us light 1t out" was Lemuels fierce
suggestion.
This exhibition of intrepidlty by Mr.. Hicks,
OF = lister Park, seemed to please the girl, who
declared her-elf averse, however. to nasal
Oloodshed. A box of dominoes on the parlOr
table caught her eye. josiah, who is not
nghter, was struck with an idea.
:" :, i'll You marry meg' ne asked of the girl,
III beat Lemuel at game Of mugg Rs?"
~ gu play better game than me-" inter-
posed Lemuel. shut will trust to luck"
NJ So Smythe entered into the spirit of so
move con est, and perhaps hardly appre-
ciatlng the mOmentous nature of the result to
herself, offered to keep tally and the game be-
gan.
As the tickle, oblong squares ofivory turned
up Que DY one. victory seemed disposed To Ia
vor the humorous Josiah, but Lemuel never
| 81 heart. He was sure of his luck. Although
uOth young men became feverish with excite
ment Haiti . pale face and trembling lips
81 ne betrayed ner intense interest . faith
July she kept the score.
Josiah had 95 TO his credit and his rival only
II.
:. The game is as good as Won" he said.
But he boast too soon. Every domino az
unnasked had only smiles for Lemuel. His
luck never failed him and in another moment
The fair scorer cried:
tMUgg MS for Mr. HIcksw
Lemuel, needless of Mr.. strong's feelings,
cla-ped Hattie u his breast. StrippiOg from
her fingers two very costly rings the girl gave
hem 10 the loser as some reparatiOn for his
defeat. wtth the gratifying ass rance:
GU shall be the lest man at our wedding
in the spring." J0siah,