, 1889-07-30
%S0UATTERS' LOVE.

to her asking me to ''stand for" her and
her lover, Tom, with the old folks. After
l had upset the deacon's religious argu-
ments he seemed to feel 1t his duty to go
out and make a search for a racer backed
hog which had been missing for three
months, and which had probably been
devoured weeks ago, while the wife
made ready to give the parlor floor a
good scrubbing with sand, soap and
water. Sarah was told to mind the kettle
of lye which was boiling over a fire 70
make soft soap, and as 1 sat down on a
log beside her she INDUCED in a chuckle
and said:
"You'un dun used pap right up in
them talks. He'un sees he's got to
change. Me and mann is right glad of
it, fur pap has dun been powerfully lazy.
Him made US all believe the Lord didn't
expect he'un to work. Him jist wanted
to spell out the Bible and talk of the
Judgment day while me and ma had to
go bar'fut. Pap is. dun mad about it, l
reckon, but he dasn't say nuthin'. You'un
is too big fur him in your talk. and when
you'un goes away mann will keep the
water hot"
"Well, what is it about, Tom p / asked.
"He-hel" she giggled as she twisted
her apron in her hands in great en-
barrassment. 81 like he'un, and him
likes me-"
But your parents object"
Pap don't keer, 1 reckon, but mann
says 1 kin do better"
Sure he loves your"
"He-hei Him says so, and l believe
he"
HAS he any bad habits?"
Mary"
Doesn't he chew, smoke, swear OIL
drink moonshine?"
"He'un chaws plug. He'un smokes a
pipe. He'un swears at his OK. He'un
drinks moonshine to keep the chills
away. Them's what everybody does.
Them's no bad habits. Them don't hurt
nobody"
"Where is he now"
"ue-hel Obi hui Him's close"
"Do you mean he's around here some
where?"
Eyes. He-hel You won't tellg"
mo"
"Then he'un is beyand that brush
He'un's dazzled of NAM She'un besots
nm "llCil iS oLlOo w u III III W
he'un, but don't skeer him."
l walked out to the brush heap indi-
Gated, and crouched down behind it was
n young mar of two-and-twenty, dressed
in the garb of the lowlanders there
abouts, but having a spirited look in his
face. He was much embarrassed over
the discovery, and 1 sought to put him
at ease by saying:
"It's all right, Tom; glad you are here.
I've agreed to stand for you and Sarah,
and If you'll come along we'll have a talk
with the old folks and settle the matter
this evening""
"She'un don't seem to gubble (have a
liking fur me-" he answered, as he
waved his hand towards the cabin.
"Well, Wen find out the reason. Come
along. Sarah loves you and is willing
to marry you, and that's the big end OF
the bargain"
"What If she'un Qhe mother) dun
bubbles?" he inquired, as he stopped
short.
"What do you meanr'
Dun gets mad"
"Wen get her pleased again. Come
along"
"Oh, Tom, he'un will stand for u.s."
she whispered as we drew near. you
orter heard him down pap, and I'm sure
he'un kin beat mann to shavings."
Just then the deacon returned from a
vain search after the hog, and his wife
called out that supper was ready. Leav-
ing the lovers together at the soar ket-
tie, l wen forward and said to Mrs.
Tanners:
'Sarah's Tom is here, and 1 hope you
will ask him to supper, want to talk
to him"
Tom yerel' she replied, looking very
serious. 81 dun told him to SHELTER
Qeep away weeks ago. l never did
Struggled to he'un, but mebbe I'm sot
He'un kin cum along to smack"
1t was pretty embarrassing for Tom,
but he held up gamely. When supper
vas over l pulled the deacon out of his
6t of abstraction by handing him a cigar,
gave Mrs. Tanner a clean, new clay pipe
and n paper of tobacco, and when we
had all got settled down for business ]
said:
snow, then, I've agreed to stand for
Sarah and Tom. Deacon, do you object
to this young man for a son-in-law?"
kin him support Sarah, and will him
make a good man to herr he queried
after n long pause.
Ton stoutly declared in the affirmative
in both cases.
Mrs. Tanner, have you anything
against TomT' l asked.
I've heard he was abusing too
much"
"'Tain't SO, Mrs. Tanner" replied Tom.
~ haven't been fussing with nobody fur
n hull year. I'm friends with all"
AR ye moonshining anyP'
mot a bit"
"Gwine ter stay on yer squatg"
"Sartin shore. It's guv'ment, and 10
body won't SHELTER me Off"
"a 81 6n- 0luT0 a. In -