The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-09-04

WAS JUST GETTING 1SEAOi Az SOs
men became the greatest OF cronies and
spent many evenings together discuss
ing the degenerate times in which we
afTe and mourning the good days before
argans were introduced into the church
es and when even choirs were M
known. The seceders and the o. P.'s
UNITED Presbyterians) were the sub
sect Of many q scathing criticism that
must have given red ears TO more than
one member Of the general assembly.
Hardly a night passed when one OF the
Torthies was not at the house OF the
osher, and to eli appearances their
ghoughts were constantly set upon
higher things Of both state and church.
Both their daughters were 'douee de-
cent bodies" and went about their
housework unobrusiyely while their
fathers talked They appeared to take
no notice and thought themselves
equally unnoticed, and in their own
way. became as fast friends as their
fathers, though there was something
hvelier in their relationship. They liked
10 discuss the events Of the neighbor-
hood and often did much surreptitious
gossipiDg about the dances that were
forbidden to them. Both had been
brought up with the utmost srictness.
and many things that to others would
be merely q matter Of course to them
savored Of wickedness. Better behaved
girls were not to be found in the whole
province, and that is exactly what got
them into trouble.
One evening in the late autumn Nc
Phail arrived at the MacFarlane home
stead trife earlier than usual. and, to
his surprise, his greeting was not en-
Eirely cordial
-sI was Just getting ready to go over
DO Jour place" said MacFarlane. They
both spoke in the highland Gaelic, and
this is consequently translation
r well, / thought / would save you
the walk tonight
4But was rather looking forward to
fhe walk myself" grumbled the host.
~And you were over here last night"
'+Tush. man; don't let Us quarrel
about little matter Ike that, for
have come over to talk TO you about
something that man usually likes TO
talk over in his OVID house.
MacFarlane elevated his shaggy eye
5rows and waited for bis friend TO ex-
plain.
ssTo tell you the truth at once, have
come to ask you for your daughter El-
len in marriage am still only young
man, not 65 until next January. and l
have good home to offer her. and she
and my Christy are such good friends
4hat am sure they will get along we'll
aogether."
~But-but," stammered MacFarlane.
"T was intending to ask you TO let me
have Christy."
The two grizzled Romeos gazed at
each other in speeches. surprise, and
t. dawned on each simultaneously that
The others interest in the affairs Of
church and state had been largely sim
nlated and that the real reason for
many visits and discussions was de-
sire to be near the girl that each loved.
At first they blushed like couple Of
schoolboys caught in foolish lit Of
mischief, then McPhail exclaimed:
"Why, that will make things Just
sighti Neither will lose bousekeeper.
and each will get wife,
'tYe-es," assented MacFarfane
thoughtfully, but are you sure it
would be right? If l married your
daughter Christy, she would then be
my Ellen's stepmother, and you would
then be my Ellen's grandfather By law.
and it would hardly seem right for
man to marry his own granddaughter
"Bueyou and are not related" said
McPhail, "and don't see how it would
be wrong for NE to marry your daugh-