The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-10-26
"Oh, dear, no, that can't make any

you're SO short1 I've sot my heart or
1t. You're SO pretty and your clothe:
fit you SO good. | bet dollar you'll
change your mind some day."
"When do, will apprise you o.
the fact" said L.
Very WELL" said Silas. Il under
stand that that is sarcastical, too, and
as things be I'll go. My room will be
preferable to my company. This is the
Brownses."
He helped me down, smiled at me
| spasmodically and drove away. As
rang the bell heard hubbub of voices
within, and, as the door was open, en-
tered without further ceremony. In
the hall stood my trunk and Margaret's
green box. Margaret herself sat perch
ed upon it, with triumph in her one
green eye, while Mrs. Brown wept in
her Boston rocking chair.
"What is the matter?" | asked.
Everyone turned. Greetings were
given and explanations followed.
Margaret had engaged herself on the
way over to the man who drove the
wagon with the trunks.
"He was that pertickiler to have me-
/ couldn't say No." said Margaret, try
ing to blush. "And he's house and
farm iv his own."
eyes, yes" said Mrs. Brown; "but
stay month with US. He'll wait"
"1'll not thry that" said Margaret,
s'tor there's many a ship twix cup and
lip. And l wonder you ever say the
like to poor gurrul like me. I'll have
him whilst I've the chance"
"Well," said Mrs. Brown, resignine
herself to fate, "it is the way here. All
are alike"
81 looked at the SIX Miss Browns,
ranging in age from sixteen to twenty
three. All blushed at once"
eyes," said Mrs. Brown, "they were
all engaged In week from our arrival
And they will all be married tomorrow
told you to bring your light blue silk,
you remember"
The next evening | was dancing at
the wedding. There was no lack OF
partners. The gentlemen greatly out
numbered the ladies. | assure you
that when had danced four dances, |
had refused as many offers. But when
stood up in a Virginia reel with ma
tive Chickamahoolan he surprised me.
Forward to meet your partner ~
sang the leader OF the dance.
We met.
"You're the prettiest girl in these
parts" remarked the native Chicka-
mahooian.
retired.
"Right hand"
Sand I'm going to hev you," said
he.
"You're not" said l.
cleft hand"
"Tm catch for any gal," said he.
"Im half hoss, half alligator, | am.
Remember that"
"I'll take the warming" said l.
"Both hands,"
"If you won't have me now, when
will you2" said he.
"Never," SAID l.
Our wild interchange of partners
commenced then our gallop.
"You'd better not take shine to any
other fellow tonight. TIL put an inch
of cold steel into him, If you do.
know my rights and 60 armed" said
he.
| danced no more that night. Mrs.
Brown comforted me with the state
ment that these were Chickamahoo
ways, and that L d like it soon, but let
me sit in a corner beside her, where,
she being a widow heard her receive
four or five offers from elderly gentle
men, which she declined with a polite
"Thank you; not this time,'' as though
they had leen plates of cream, and l
began to understand Chickamahoo GUS
toms.
l will add that during the next week
offers were made to me in church, IN a
shop, and at funeral but after awhile
l did grow use to 1t, and felt no alarm.
l stayed until the winter came, and
skating commenced and one day we
were on the pond, when, gliding elee-
fully around turn of the bank, I ran
into a gentleman arms. knew him.
1t was the Browns family doctor, a
handsome man of thirty. We sat look
ing at each other.
"Hurt2" asked he.
"No," said l. "Are you2'
eyes," said he, about the heart. Miss
Oliyla, will you let me tell you how
much l have always admired you2 Now
l love you p
81 can't help i" said |. 81 cannot
get up"
"I'll let you stay where you are until
you answer me another question" said
he. "Could you like me7'
81 guess so," said l.
"Then Pm the happiest man alive" !"
said he.
He scrambled up, helped me to my
feet, and we skated back to our party.
"My DEAR" l said, in whisper to
my friend. "the spirit OF ChlcKamahoo
has entered into me. l was not en-
gagged when | skated around that cor
ner. Now l am."-MeaV York Led
ger.