The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-30
The Weekly Con-
stitution of next week
will contain lei. w.
Grady's speech at Dali
Las, Texas. Five cents
a copy.
JOE GRIGGS' PROPOSAL.

Joe Griggs was very fond of visiting the
dalls. The Halls were merry set, consisting
of motherly widow and four buxom daugh-
ters, as full of mischief as an egg is full of
meat-Beckey, Marthy, Mahaly and Pos. The
latter was only pet name, for the youngest
girls real name was Jimima, after the old
lady.
The Halls lived in double penned log
house, with shed rooms in the rear and a log
piazza in front In summer the piazza was a
avorite resort for such young men as came
<asparkin' " the Hall girls, and in winter one
end of the big house was devoted to the same
purpose.
One Sunday afternoon in the early winter
Joe was seen eantering down the road in the
direction of Mrs. Halls, and all who saw him
could not help but notice how elated he was.
Did you ever see vain young man admire his
shadow? If you never have you may very
readily catch one at IL by little observation.
Watch young fellow, especially If he is in
love, and as he rides or walks along, you will
see him casting fnrtive glances on the ground
on the side where his shadow falls, and at
each glance be will stiffen up, twist his
mustache, or cock his hat at little more be-
corning angle on his well combed head. He
Is looking into natures convenient mirror,
and studying attitude and profile. On the
evening in question Joe was improving his
appearance by watching his shadow.
Along the winding road, in and out among
the tall pine trees, up tho slopes and down
through the hollows, Joe continued his way
anti the front piazza of Mrs. Halls residence
came in view. and then he spurred his steed
into sharp gallop, tightening the reins so
that the arched neck of his charger might ap-
pear to better advantage.
Unfortunately for the tout ensemble of my
story, this charger was a mare, and her name
was Fan, Joe thought that Fan was the finest
horse in the settlement. He would say
"Dang my buttons eff Fan amt the beatinest
critter in the country. She don't kick ner
balk ner shy, n she kin rack, pace er trot. jist
as,a1 agin, l.as Is DC 10
4ile latter quality was the crowning point of
excellence, for Joe hoped to lead Pas Hall to
the alter ere the violets bloomed and having
no wheeled vehicle except numbering cart,
he must have some means of conveying his
wife TO meeting Sundays an when they went
visiting. AS Fan "toted DOUBLE" she was the
very thing of course. Joe could mount in the
saddle, and then ride up beside stump by
means of which Pos could mount behind him,
and with her plump little arm around his
waist to keep from falling off, they would jog
along very nicely.
All thu things passed through Joe's mind
as he aso- ed the long slope at gallop.
Several noisy dogs came flying to the gate
as Joe came gathering up, but Mrs. Hall must
have been on the lookout, for she sailed forth
and soon drove the disconnected pack into the
gear, and calling out:
Cit down, Joe, and come In. they haint
agwine to hurt ye," she walked back into the
house.
Joe rode up to little group of pine sap
{iDgs that had been left near the gate for this
same purpose, and dsinounting he selected a
stout looking one to which he secured Fan by
the halter, not neglecting to cross the stirrups
over the saddle so that Fan might not get her
foot in the stirrup should she
grow FESTIVE and begin stamping around
Then he brushed off the stray hairs and
specks OF dirt from his trousers, stamped his
feet, cast one last fuFtiye glance at his shadow,
cleared his throat, looked up at the sky, pushed
his hat little more TO one side, and then went
striding up to the gate. as if he had been a
deputy sheriff with distress warrant in his
pocket. and entered tie yard. The gate banged
loudly, and the bravest OF the dogs under the
house yelped as though somebody had struck
him, which brought Mrs. Hall to the door.
"You, Pu-u-p! Laws-a-massy, what shell
do with them dogs? wy, howdy, Jo-o-e!"
she cried, winding up with that peculiar drawl
on the ascending scale, which, with women,
means that they are pleased to see the visitor.
''Hewdy Aunt Nina" Joe had got on
such familiar terms with the family that he
now called her "aunt." which was only pre-
timinary step TO the more endearing title of
<'mammy," which he would adopt SO soon as
e.pason had got through with me an Pos"
''How dye come on, Joe?''
"Tolable well, Aunt Nina, tol'able, much
fbleeged. How d'you come on?"
30, I'm well as common, Joe. Come in.
The gals is all in that ere room. 'spect you
want to see them wussn me-"
"Hello," cried Joe, Familiarity. "what aire
all you gals adoin' in here2"
I'VE haint adoin' noth'n' tall, Joe," said
Becky. Here, take cheer" and she mis-
chievously offered him a seat farthest from
that part of the circle in which beamed his
own particular flower.
A big fire glowed and cracked and blazed
Atfully in the wide fireplace, and Joe settled
himself for on evenings enjoyment.
"Where'd you go yistiddy, Joe?" queried
Aiartby.
mo wher's but to the store"
''We heered bout you," put in Mahaly.
"What did ye hear2" asked Joe.
FAX Pos" said Becky "Ps'os a good chirch
member m she gits mighty down hearted
when she hears bout you boss racn' en-
cuttin' up 'mong them ere SILVER boys"
"What ye win 90 asked Marchy, as Joe
dashed a startled glance in the direction Of
POS, who seemed 70 he too deeply engrossed in
Thought 70 heed the light chatter.
Look ahere, gals. ye're aius atryin' yer
pranks TO tease me. You know / did'n' run
40 race I jist wanted TO show Jack SILVER
shat my mare could out-trot his'n on a bend
road m showed i'm too"
How much did 80 bet?' asked Mahaly.
"Noth'n'. Never be. nothn. 1 iist beat