The Opelousas courier., 1892-09-24

in all the vicinity of Hawkins Fork
she was a healthy, well-developed
rosy.cheeked mountain girl, simple I
life and simple in habit. She played
sad havoc with the hearts of the noun.
tain youths who came to know her. In
her simple homespun frock, with hel
wealth Of golden locks caught lightly to
gether by a ribbon, and allowed to fal.
il luxuriant masses over her shapely
shoulders: she made a pretty picture to
look upon.
1t was a long way up the ravine from
where the Baskins lived to the distillery.
and every day Peggie would carry the
MONDAY meal to her father aud brothers
at their work. Hez would steal sly
Chances at her. but he never ventured to
speak to her more than saying "Howd'ye,
Peggie." The heart of a youth like He
Sniggletree is very susceptible to femin
inc charms, and it was only in the natura
course of things that the bashful youth
should completely lose his heart to the
fair Peggie.
When Hez's love for Peggie began, he
could never tell. 1t 'sjes' crowd on
him" he said, and he awoke to the con-
seriousness that he was in love one fine
morning. How many hundred times
did he plan to speak to her, and how
many hundred times did his resolution
fail in her matchless presence.
But finally his consuming love made
him bold. One day at the distillery
while Peggie was waiting for her father
and brothers to finish their dinners, Hez
ventured up to Peggie, and said in a
trembling voice:
peggy, you air purity as pink"
"Oh, Hez, you tease!" she exclaimed,
and Hez SEas frightened out of his wits.
To add to his confusion, Jeems Baskins
caught sight of him, and bawled out:
"Ha, ha, ha, lookee yonder. Hez is
maxim love ter sist That do beat me-"
Covered with confusion Hez rushed
back to his work, and for three whole
weeks he would not even look at Peggic
on her visits to the stillhouse. But all
the time his love wa growing warmer,
and n day he grew bold again, when
all eyes were turned away.
"Peggie," he said in a pleading tone,
's1'm a-goin' ter walk down the ravine
with YOU"
She blushed prettily and laughed
moderately.
"Well, you air a ~stuuner," shIAde.
clared.
Hez was doubtful what was meant bv
and he debated mentally for a mo.
ment whether it was wise to 60 VIII a
young lady after having received such a
criticism as that, but he determined to
go.
He walked along beside peggie for
quite a distance in silence. He wanted
70 say something. The words choked in
his mouth.
"Peggie," he said finally, getting his
breath rapidly, "when / told you you
purity as pinks, | meant it,"
"Oh, Mr.. Hez!" she exclaimed in a
hooked tone, and then she burst out
aughing.
Hez stopped stock still in the pathway
'efore her. There was a hurt look on
lis face, and he fumbled n~ervously with
il hands.
''see here, Peggy" he said, reprov.
,gly, ''you orient ter laugh at q Teller
Ike that. / meant it-I-T-peggie,
on know what I meant"
He stammered hopelessly; she laughed
lore and more.
"Peggie," Hez continued soiemnly
nd placing his big hands across his
:omach, 81 am all broke up in here
bout you. / cant sleep fer thinking
{ you. I-I--want-you--ssy, Peggy,
i'll you have metz
He broke off in a most appealing
me and Peggie stopped laughing.
"Mr. Hez," she said stern, faint you
Hez looked crestfalIen, indeed.
II mean it, Peggy" he said apollo.
~ want you ter marry me.
ill you have me2"
"ohi" Peggie CALCULATED. She seemed
be deeply interested in christening
knot she had tied in the strings OF
En- bonnet. She did not reply.
.'Say, Peggy" Hez pleaded desper.
twill you7'a
She looked up quickly at the loveeick
ruth.
tsDo you mean it, shore 'nuTa' she
lked.
"'Fore God | do affirmed Hez.
"Well,' said Peggie. "I-T-yes.n
What anxious young suitors do when
of the matdens they love is q
after irrelevant to t,,5. ,rr. But for
lonG time alter ic epted.
stood gazing at Peggie, without say,
g a word.
''Hez,' she finally asked, ''are you
rryan
Nav" be said. ~ amt sorry.
Is jes a-thinking.n
This lneneal process seemed to be very
oniaing to the young sutton. As be /
ntinued to think bis manner grew very
He fumbled with his hands,
mouth twitcled. Thinking seemed i
BIO . painful opera tion 60 him. !,
Peggy said he after a long pause,
they saya'
Peggy thought for q moment. !,
''Oh, they'll kid you,s she said. This /,
the terrible ap~prehensions /
ioh had been lifting through Hez's
nd during the few moments that he
| enjoyed the distraction of being the
'epted lover OF Peggie Baskins. /,
All the boys'll guy me,n be said 1