The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1902-01-24

"Who is that girl" / asked OF my
host Of the Laclede Hotel. by the way
q splendid landlord and proprietor Of
one of the best hotels in Western Ken.
tucky, with whom l was stopping on q
brief sojourn in Hickman. 1 was look
for business location and was investl
eating prospects in this thriving Ken
lucky town.
We We were Just emerging from the
Methodist church. where had listened
to an excellent sermon on Pastoral
Derelictions" delivered by that eloquent
divine, Rev. @. A. Warterfield.
lam an enthusiast on female beauty
and hence any striking specimen OF
natures work in this line is sure to at
tract my attention. My question was
elected by observing a bewitchingly
beautiful girl brush past me. casting mp
on me from pair of big brown eyes,
an interrogatory glance, as much as to
say: "who are your "That, answered
my companion, sis Miss Josephine -
daughter ef one of our Oldest families
and the belle of Hickman.
was smitten. ~ must get acquaint-
I'd with that girl and we passed on.
sought and obtained an introduction,
took notion / wanted Miss Josephine
for q wife. Did she have lover or loy-
ers? No doubt plenty of them. / could
see that all the young fellows were
"spooney" on her. But this did not de-
ter me from pressing my suit. Icourt.
cd her fast and furious, regardless of
time and money. l had plenty of both
fortunately for the emergency, l was
IS E., sxxta
escorting her to parties and social func-
tions for which Hickman is famous. 1t
was "Josie" and Harry" with US in a
very short time. took her out riding
often. in one of those stylish rigs of j.
H. Pollock's. the accommodating livery
man, of Hickman. who conducts one of
the best livery establishments In the
town and whose friends and customers
are legion. promenaded with her on
the main street of the town spending
my money for anything that would con-
tribute to her pleasure. took her into
that depot OF Good Things" "Caruth-
ers" where fed her on the very nectar
of the gods, She was an enthusiast on
CONNECTIONS and l bought dainty can
dies and chocolates and lots of sweet
delicacies with foreign names, occasion
ally INDUCING in more substantial
viands, such as oysters, delicate fruits,
always to be found at Caruthers.
After several weeks of this sort of
declaration in which l was untiring in
my devotion and in which think Josie
took some pride in showing me off as
her "latest admirer" / made up my
mind would pep the question" so
one beautiful afternoon / sauntered out
to Josie's home on the hill. went ear
ly because wanted to walk with her
under the trees, felt that it would be
heaven with the trees around me and
plenty of space where nobody could hear
me in case made "cobble."
Josie received me cordially and we
sat around in the parlor and talked in
rambling fashion for an hour. / ratified
away like the boy in the graveyard who
whistled to make the ghosts believe he
wasn't scared, After while propos-
ed We take walk. Josie was indul-
gent and putting on her hat we strolled
forth into the cool shady woods that lay
Just back of the orchard, tried to be
sensible as We walked along, remark
ing upon the beauty Of things in gen.
eral and the pleasure felt in being per-
mitted TO enjoy natures lovely smiles in
such delightful company. but / must
confess ! was nervous and no doubt in
coherent. / seated Josie on decaying
log and was just preparing to fall on
one knee and pour out my souls adora-
ton when COMPOUNDED rabbit scram-
bled from beneath the log right between
Josie's feet, almost up-tripping me in
its haste to get away. Josie emitted q
piercing scream and jumping about five
feet and sped away toward the house.
I don't thing. really she was much scar
ed but the incident gave her a good ex-
cuse to break Of any love avowal. That
rabbit spoiled my plans for that ocea-
sion and vowed eternal war on the
rabbit tribe. went back to town feel
ing rather low spirited.
However, / made up my mind that /
would locate in Hickman and tho next
day l rented an Office and proceeded to
install myself as citizen Of the town.
1went down to the mammoth furni-
ture establishment of Stephens & Smith
and had this enterprising firm furnish
my Office complete with up-to-date fit
tings. Office chairs. desk. carpets, book
cases. lounges and everything necessary
to make it comfortable and business
like. In the meantime I kept on ex-
hibiting my preference for Josie. We
discussed the rabbit incident, she EVIL
dently,aware Of my discontinue on that
occasion.
/ now determined to bring matters to
q crisis, especially as noticed young
lawyer from Union City frequently in
Joeie's company. called on my friend
Pollock. whose superb livery service had
stood me in such good need and told
him what / wanted. He smiled know.
ingly and gave me q magnificent double
team Of horses and q new rubber tire
buGgy, inst the thing for sociable folks,
rsmArking a. he placed the lines In my
hands, "look ont for rabbits"
! drove out to Josie's home and taking
her in the buggy We were soon enjoying
the agreeable sensations produced by
rapid transit. The roads we're fine. The
horses were in fine spirits. So was Jo-
Gle. So was /. As We turned into the
lane that led mp to Josie's home, after
an hours drive, I mustered all my
courage for . declaration of my love.
was about to put my arm around
her waist ~ the prelude to my avowal,
when that same diabolical rabbit dar.ed
out Of the fence corner and got mixed
M with the horses legs. Away went
the horses like the "old Nick" was after
them, with . jerk that almost threw No
both out Of the buggy. Josie's hat Aew
Oh, mine went ditto. I tIied to stop
thoas frantic animals. No use. they
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