The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-05-27

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in luxuriant masses over her shapely
shoulders, she made pretty picture TO
look Upon.
It was long way up the rayine, 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 pteal slv
giances at her, but he never veutured to
speak to hermo than saying ssIIowd'ye,
Peggie." The heart of q youth hike Hez
Sniggletree is very susceptible to femin-
inc charms, ,and it was only in the natural
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 ''jes' crowd on
him." he said, aud he awoke to the con-
sciousness 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 teasel" she exclaimed,
and Hez was 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 sis! That do beat me.n
Covered with confusion Hez rushed
back to his work, and for three whole
weeks he would not even look at Peggie
on her visits to the stillhouse. But all
the time his love was growing warmer,
and one day he grew bold again, when
all eyes were turned away.
"Peggie," he said in pleading tone,
"l'm a-goiu' ter walk down the ravine
with YOU"
She blushed prettily aud laughed
moderately.
"Well, you air a stunuer," she de.
clared.
Hez was doubtful what was meant by
that, and he debated mentally for mo-
mont whether it was wise to go with q
young lady after having received such a
criticism as that, but he determined to
60.
He walked along beside Peggie for
quite distance in silence. He wautod
to say something. Tho words choked In
his mouth.
"Peggie," he said finally, getting his
breath rapidly, "when told you you
wur purity as pinks, meant it,"
"Oh, Mr.. He'll" she exclaimed in q
shocked tone, and then she burst out
laughing.
Hez stopped stock still in the pathway
before her. There was hurt look on
his face, and he fumbled nervously with
his hands.
"See here, Peggy" he said, reprov.'
ingly, "you orient ter laugh at feller
like that. l meant it--I-T--Peggie,
you know what meant"
He stammered hopelessly; she laughed
more and more.
"Peggie," Hez continued solemuly
aud placing his big hands across his
stomach, ~ am all broke up in here
about you. can't sleep fer thinking
OF. you. I-I--want--you--sa Peggy,
will you have me2"
tone aud Peggie stopped laughing.
"Mr. Hez," she said stern, saint you
'shamed."
Hez looked crestfallen, indeed.
az mean it, Peggy" he said apollo.
getically. 81 want you ter MARY me.
Will you have me9'
"Ohl" Peggie calculated. She seemed
to be deeply interested In unfasteuing
a knot she had tied in the strings OF
her bonnet. She did not reply.
"Say, Peggy" Hez pleaded desper.
ateiy, "will you7"
She looked up quickly at the lovesiok
youth.
"Do you mean it, shore 'nuffs" sh,
asked.
"'Fore God do" affirmed Hez.
"Well," said Peggie. "I--1--yes.
What anxious young suitors do wher
accepted of the maidens they love is ,
matter irrelevant to this story. But fol-
n long time after Hez had been accented.
lie stood gazing at Peggie, without say
ing a word.
"Hez," she finally asked, "are yor
sorry7"
"Naw," he said. ~ amt sorry.
wus jes a-thinking."
This meutal process seemed to be very
agonizing to the young suitor. As h
continued to think his manner grew yer,
disturbed. He fumbled with his hands
his mouth twitched. Thinking seemed
to be painful opera ton to him.
"Peggy," said he after long pause
"what'll theyA0Ss"
Peggy thought for moment.
"Oh, they'll kid you," she said. Thi
confirmed the terrible apprehension
which had been fitting through Hez
mind during the few moments that b
had enjoyed the distraction of being tn
accepted lover Of Peggie Baskins.
"All the boys'll guy me-" he sal
mournfully.
eyes," said Peggie, "they will"
Hez thought again, for long while.
"Peggie," he said, "I'll tell you
we'll elope."
Peggie was Mortified.
"What, run awsy9" she asked
Gwen elope ter Gilmer County.
Hez continued, "an' git married, wha
they don't know us. ! know Toi