The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-02-27
BILL HEMPSEYS RECITAL,

When Bill Hempsey married Tai
Harwell there VS. d great surprise
in the Nubbin Ridge neighborhood.
Bill was worthy of respect and was
respected he was worthy of conf
dence and had been trusted with a
county office, yet when he married
Tai Harwell there was heard at every
turn, murmurs of astonishment.
Tai was a beautiful girl, and was
younger than Bill; her form, un-
trained by any art, but with the
woodslike wlldness OF development,
Vas Of exquisite grace, and her hair
was OF gentle waviness, like the
ripples of sun-ray. catching rivulet.
Handsome young fellows-Ned
Royston, whose bottom fields OF
corn was this year the finest in the
neighborhood, and Phil Hightower,
who had just built new double log
house, chinked and daubed, paid
devoted court to the beauty, but
when old Bill with a scar over one
eye where a steer kicked him years
ago-asked her to marry him, she
shook of the mischieviouS airs of
the beauty took up the serious ex-
preston OF thoughtful woman and
consented.
Bill owned little old log house,
up on the side OF hill, and though
viewed from the county road it
might have seemed dreary place,
yet standing in the back door, Bill
could look down and see the wild
plum bushes bend over the crystal
water of the creek-could see a
green meadow far down the stream
and could hear the song of the rain
crow.
Several years passed. The gos-
sips reluctantly agreed that Bill and
his wife were happy, that is, reason
ably happy, for the gossips never
submit to complete surrender.
One dav while Bill was away from
home, Ned Royston came to the
house. Tai came IN when she heard
footsteps, and upon seeing the
visitor stood wipIne her hands on
her apron. She had been washing,
and bubble cf suds on her hair,
catching ray of light, flashed like
a diamond.
Yo've about forget me, hain't you
Tal-AIiz Hempsey2
No, how could | forget you when
l see you at church nearly every
Sunday? Sit down.
Yes, you see me, Ned replied,
seating himself, but as you never
speak to me | lowed that you had
dun forgot me.
| never forget friend
Much obliged. You look tired.
Sit down yourself
She sat down Ned continued:
You do good deal Of ard work
don't youo
No more than any other woman,
| Ireckon
You do more than I'd let my wife
do.
Yes, all men talk that way before
they are married.
Aud some OF them mean what
they say, Tal-or Miz Hempsey.
But the majority of them do not,
| know one that does. Tai, il
you had married me you never
would had to work none.
You let your mother work.
Yes, but | wouldn't let you work.
l wish you had married me Tai, for
! amt been happy single
hour sence you told me that
you wouldn't, not a single one.
uster be fonder of persimmon
puddin' than anybody, but amt
eat marry one sense you lowed that
you couldn't marry me. Tell me
Tai, air you happy?
Happy as most women, | reckon
Bun most women amt happy.
Mebby not.
A short silence followed; Nec
twisted his hat round and round
Tai wiped her hands on her apron,
Tal-you don't care ii | call yor
Tai, do your
No, | am not particular.
But you wouldn't let everybody
call you by your first name, woulc
you?
No.
Tai.
Well.
Do you know what Eye beer
thinkin' about ever sense saw yol
at meetin' last Sunday
How am to know what you'v
been thinkin' about? Hardly know
sometimes what Pm thinkin' myse'
Would you like to know wha
I've been thinkin' about. Tai?
She sat twisting her apron; a ca
purred about the leg OF her chair
A chicken singing a lazy song {
laying time" hoped up into tn
door way Shoe, shee 'aed. Tn
! chickens ar, about to take the place
Il,