Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-01-07
MY LOVE AFFAIR

MY IUVE AEFAlR
It is terrible misfortune Tor a bO
to fall in love
1t was my first case, and it wen
mighty hard with me
sometimes have wished that it hat
peen my last.
But you would have fallen in low
Just as hopelessly as 1 did, had yol
known Cousin Kate. In all serious
ness and saciedness make this asser
ton, for she was one of the most love
able creatures ever knew
She was of medium height and a
1.-the and graceful as young willow
tree swayed by the April wind. He
eyes were-well, they were not quit,
blue, but of sort of luminous gray
like patches of summer blue sky witt
the shadow of a clouds wing upoI
them.
And her hair, VIII can see it yet
the clinging tresses all tangled up will
sunbeams that played hide and seel
tmong them.
There was a winsome, wistful ex'
preston about the red lips and the
curving lines of her dimpled chin thai
seemed to have been cast in the mould
of smile, so that even when some.
body hurt her feelings, and the tears
came in the innocent eyes, the smile
remained on the mouth and chin.
Cousin Kate came to live with us
because her father was dead, and
think Grandpa was the administrator
Or guardian, or something of the sort.
and looked after her property.
She was not very close kin, but we
all called her Cousin Kate, because il
seemed to please her.
She never suspected that 1 was
smitten with her charms, although i
was dreaming about her every night,
and during the day wearing out my
knife carving many big cranky ''K''
in the magnolias and sycamore trees
IN the hammock.
/ used to wish that were a man
80 that l wouldn't have to take those
hateful drenches, and could marry
Cousin Kate and build nc house on
the high hill that overlooked the river
and the hammock and the ridgy wood
lands beyond. But was too young.
[ could not have her for my own,
md all 1 could do was to worship her.
Finally, as in all love stories, the
villain appeared upon the scene. The
villain came in the shape of Dick Tue
ker, who rode big grey horse, and
wore calfskin boots and white hat,
and possessed that fatal gift of beauty
that was demoniac to mo.
Phe-e-ewI How l hated that man!
He was a clever enough sort of fell
low, l suppose; and most people liked
him very well, but l did detest him
Oh, l 4 -'rred him in my sightI
He frs '7ne pretending to talk pol
Itics with Grandpa, and he would sit
and listen to the old mans Indian war
stories for long while. But l no.
tice l that when Cousin Kate were out
with pink rose in her hair, he looked
like he wanted to eat her with his
black eyes; and he would twist his
black moustache and try to look sweet.
Then 1 used to go out among the
oea weeds, in the back yard, and get a
stick and thrash the old locust tree.
didn't cuss, then, because 1 was afraid
of the Good Lord and Grandpa; but l
used the strongest by-word that
could find on the borderlands of bias
phemy; and every time I'd hit that
tree I'd grit my teeth and mutter:
"Dogon, Dick Tucker! Dogon,
Dick Tucker! Dogon, Dick Tucker"
AT last he got so he did not stop to
listen to Grandpa, and would go over
and sit by Cousin Kate, and talk to
her just as sweetly.
finally made up my mind that 1
would put a quietus on his courting
exploits. Then L proceeded to put nv
plan into execution.
Dick was proud of his horse, and
he rode with short martingales, and a
curb bit which made the horse arch
his neck and bounce up and down in
fine style as he came galloping up the
lane. Dick always came along about
? o'clock Sundays, and / knew that he
made his horse do that way to attract
Cousin Kate's attention.
laid my plans accordingly
da! ha! ha! 1t tickles me now to
think how 1 saIivated him. / got me
a long horn and loaded it like a gun.
First 1 put in a whole handful of
fine, light ashes to make the smoke;
hen l put down charge of little
black pimples; then some more ashes,
and followed with pimples, until
lad the horn chuck full.
There was low place in the road |
about quarter of a mile down the |
ane, and big. green goose puddle
was there.
In the dog fennels that grew in the
fence jamb, ensconced myself, and l |
felt like some deadly assassin gloatinq |
over anticipated revenge.
Hate nerved my arm and concen.
rated jealousy strengthened nay heart.
All! Cousin KateI A few minutes |
would decide between man and man,
Dr. rather boy Victor or vanquished,
q fol ,Il ha -