La Junta tribune., 1900-12-19
a sAsMfu, sov.s slvmpea.
Ne Created Consideration in eridsl
Chamber.

~oS . hdhhNS Va Soohtys
Tennessee. On one occasion a
member OF congress was lamenting
his awkwardness. "Why," said
the senator from Rackensack, "you
don't know what bashfulness is.
Let me tell you story, and when
! get through l will stand the bob
il you don't agree that you never
knew anything about bashfulness
and banetul effects. | was the
most bashful boy west OF the AL.
leganies. wouldn't look at a
girl, much less speak to a maiden,
but for all that fell desperately
in love with a neighbor girl. 1t
was a desirable match on both
sides, and the old folks saw the
drift and fixed it up. thought /
should die thinking OF it. was
gawky, awkward country lout
about nineteen years old. She was
an intelligent, refined and fairly
well educated girl in the county
and at time when girls had
superior advantages and were
therefore superior in culture to
boys. ! fixed the day as far as
could put it off. lay awake in a
cold perspiration as the time drew
near and shivered with agony as
thought OF the terrible ordeal.
The dreadful day came. went
through the programme somewhat
in dazed, confused, mechanical
sort of way, like an automation
BOBBY through supper where !
could eat nothing, through such
games as "possum pie" "Sister
Phoebe" and all sorts of things.
The guests one by one departed
and my hair began to stand on end.
Beyond the curtain OF Isis lay the
terrible unknown. My blood grew
cold and boiled by turns. was
in fever and then in an ague,
pale and flushed by turns. l felt
like fleeing to the woods, spend
ing the night in the barn, leaving
for the west never to return. | was
deeply devoted to Sallie. loved
her harder than mule could kick,
but the terrible ordeal. | could
not, dared not stand 1t. Finally
the last guest was gone, the bride
retired, the family gone to bed,
and i was left slone-horror OF
horrors, alone with the old man.
John, said he you can take that
candle, you will find your room
just over this. Good night and
may the Lord have mercy on your
soul, and with a mischevious
twinkle OF his fine gray eyes, the
old man left the room. mentally
said amen to his Heaven help you,
and. when l heard him close dis
tant door, staggered to my feet
and seized the farthing dip with
nervous grasp. stood for some
moments contemplating my terri.
able fate and the inevitable and
speedy doom about to overcome
me. l knew it could not be avoid
ed, yet hesitated to meet my fate
like a man. stood SO long that
three love letters had grown on the
wick Of the tallow dip and wind
ing sheet was decorating the sides
OF the brass candle stick.
A happy thought struck me.
hastily climbed the stair, marked
the position Of the landing and the
door to the bridal chamber
would have died before would
have disrobed in that holy chamber,
where awaited me a trembling and
beautiful girl, blushing maiden,
clothed only with her own beauty
and modesty, and her snowy robe
de mutt. / would make the usual
preparation without, blow out the
light, open the door, and friendly
night would shield my shrinking
modesty and bashfulness and CRATE
full darkness, at least, mitigate the
horrors Of the situation. 1t was