Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1888-05-10
Mechanswn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday May TO- 1888.

| gard. n DOOk, q new SONY, uellclouS
fruit, or bunch of rare pink blossoms,
always pink.
Sam, my colored boz, who had grown
/ fat and lazy during our stay in the vii
lage, with nothing to do save to carry
my fishing rod and basket in the sun
shine, was nearly trotted off his :feel
carrying dainty notes and little gifts.
"'Pear like Mars How'd done clean
fo' got eb'tyt'ing 'cept dat fine gal,"
l often heard him mutter as he shutfled
off on some errand to the big house
among the oaks where resided the lady
of my heart.
Day after day passed, and still stay.
cd, growing more desperately in love
every moment, until finally | determin-
ed to learn my fate, be what it might.
Would | go in person and ask this beat7.
tiful woman to be my own? No, |
would not. | could not fortifl my
heart to be able to bear a"no" from her
lips, so l wrote -
"DEAREsT Il can no longer bear the sus-
pcnse of mind which | have endured since
our first acquaintance. must know you
love me. If you do, meet me this evening at
! the elm where we have so often sat and talk
ed together, as have something to tell YOU
/ NoI may TlCsS what it is,
Your owp,'
n"
"Now if she loves me, she will be
there | sail as l folded the note "and
if she loves me, she will of coarse be
mine
With rapidly beating heart, | went
to call Sam, to start him on the fateful
earrand.
"Sam !" | call. ''Sam, you black
rascal where are you p
After repeated calling the darkey
longed into view, with his old slouch
hat perched on the back Of his woolly
head, and a fishing pole in his hand.
"Ha you scoundreE,' | exclaimed
at sight of him, where have you been?
Why don't you come when | call you ?
"Aint been nowhar," he returned
sul.enly, seeing the note III my fingers,
and guessing what | wanted him for.
Pears like dis niggah doan get no time
fer hisset anymo. | was iis gittin
ready fer to fish little down at the
deep hole, an"
"IIush, now SAM lnterpcsed in a
softened manner. seeing that he was
half angry, and knowing how much de-
pended on this imp Of darkness. "Take
this note to Miss Arnold, and be sure
YOU give it to no one else, ana you may
have the rest of the day for YOURSELF
Be quick and here is quarter for you.
Sam took the note and sauntere! OFT,
aud heard him say =
MARS How d, gwine to be i'll de sy-
umtc yet long OBJ dat gal.
But Sam had habit OF thus commun
ing with himself and did not mind
him.
| returned to my room, and sat down
to read in order to pass the tedious
time that must somehow be spent be-
fore could 90 forth fo' meet my lady
and learn my fate read awhile, |
smoked awhile and finally Oh awaklng
found that the time'had come at last.
stole from the house with never a
word to Dick. Somehow | was afraid
lie might envy me, and hnd way to
thwart my plans.
Along green lanes and across fragrant
fields strayed, thinking eff Carrie, won
dering if she would be there, when at
last the tall old elm came il light, and
oh, Joy she was standing beneath 1t.
Her back was toward me but recog-
nized the broad brmmel hat, with its
Auttering pink ribbon, ard her simple
white dress. l stole softly nearer to
her, but she did not seem to hear me.
| came still nearer. Her head was bent;
she was reading my note. How she
must love NE. to bend so lntentively
over nay little missive.
Ih,d not seen a black rascal steal
from her side IL moment before, and
with fishing rod in hand skulk htrrled
ly into neighboring thlcket. | had
not seen her first look of puzzled sur
prise when he thrust the note into her
hand ag she sat reading beneath the
old elm. | only saw hor as she read
re-read the lines | had written, and
mistook her puzzled manner for love.
Softly stepped to her side, and be-
fore she could turn, murmured,-
Dearest
A pair of startled, fa%n-llke eyes
were turned to my face, and l saw that
it was not Carrie Arnold addressed e.
Z Il beg your pardon" | exclaimed, IN
great conftlsion. II thought-thAt Is,
imagined were not yourself.