Year: 1864

tCome, Steve, it's time to 20 to bed;
for we've got to be up sirly in the NOR.
ming 10 draw those logs to the MILL


As the old deacon said this l felt as
If some one had throwed pail Of cold
water al over me, and I glanced At Nan.
cy to sec it she wanted me to 60 OF stay,
but the pcsky critter hsd her head turned
away tsying something to Bill, and I
thought that that meant for me to leave.
Had shc wanted me to stay she could
have gin me look, or a pinch, or some
thing Of that sort


Nov, Steve, you know that didn't
keer a>bit for Bill Smith, and what makes
you talk sol! broke in the old gent!eman's
helpmate.


Don't 'rupt me, Nancy; I'm telling 1t
jest as it happened. Of course I didn't
know how you felt iuside-how should
II - .......s.4s s..- 4l.....4


You can bet, boys, that I felt pretty
sheepish when crswled up the ladder
to bed; but I couldn't help myself-she
deacon was sgiu me, and was afeard
that Nancy was, too; and there was Bill
Smith, tickled nigh about to death at
getting me out of the way. You had
better believe l was mad tho way they
had used me.


The night was pesky cold, but I was
in such fever that didn't mind it; and
I turned and twisted, and kicked the
clothes off, but It didn't help the matter
bit There was Bill and Nancy, with.
out doubt, buggiug and kissing down
below, as hsppy as two clans, not think.
ing in what condition l was in above
them.


'Arter l had been abed half or three.
quarters Of an hour, determined to see
how Bill and Nancy was getting on
below. knew that could get look
without going down, for the floor was
made of loose boards, aud right by the
chimney, over their heads, was some
large cracks, big enough to look down
through. would see what they were
up to at any rate, and if was careful
and made no noise they wouldn't be the
wiser by my doing so.


'Out of bed got, and cou! dot help
giving SILVER, il was so tormented cold;
but that was nothing, for l was burning
up inside with jealousy, and getting down
on all fours crept along to where l knew
there was q big crack right above their
heads, and put my eyes close down to it,
aud took peep below.


Bill and Nancy was sitting about a
foot apart, and he had his arm stretched
over the back of her cheer, and it want
long before seed him give his seat
hitch toward her. When he did this
she moved hers little bit away, aud for
- much a. five minutes they sot still,
and never sed or done enything, and by
that time I was almost froEe, for hadn't
rag on 'eePt my tow shiss, and that
didn't do me much good IN keeping me
warm.


BY and by l heard Bill say, as he give
his cheer another hitch,


'Come, Nancy, give me kiss, for, l
declare, you look jest as sweet as lump
of sugar.


mo you don't, Bill Smith! Hands off
or I'll boiler to dad and msrm!' said
Nancy, trying to get away from Bill,
who, by this time, had got his arm about
her neck, and was bound to have kiss
whether she was willing or not.


Il tell you I'll holler, Bill, if you don't
let me 60! said she sgin, wrieg'ing vita
all her might to get away; but Bill was
determined, so he held on and said moth.
ing.


Il was 90 mad that I couldn't kee,
still to see that critter trying to Kiss
Nancy, so l moved little bi: 20 a spot
where I thought I could hive better
view, when, would you believe ;s, boys,
the tarnal board that l was on tipped up,
and down went, head 6rst, right atwcen
them, knocking Bill over onto the floor!


Nancy gave an awful scrcech, and
jumped up out Of her cheer, then she
threw her apron over her head, aud dug
out of the room purity quick, / can tell
ye!


Bill was skcercd nigh about to death,
for he thought 1t was the old Nick him
self that had come, but when he seed
who it was he SHE'D cheer at my head,
which l lodged, aud put up the ladder
Is fast ~ could, and when l got to the
top round heard old marm Knox hollcr
Nance! Nance! send that cat down or
she'll break every dish on the dresser!


Il hoped into bed, but l didn't sleep
much, though knowed that Bill aud
Nancy's courtship was up for that night.


i was mighty glad that Nancy would.
nj let him kiss her, for it kinder showed
that she was true to me; but l made up
my mind afore morning that l would pop
The question jest as soon as | could get
chance at her alone; aud did that very
next night when We were out to tho barn
and she said right off that she
would have me, and that she never cared
j snap for Bill Smith. !


when the deacon and his wife found
how things we're going, and that Nancy
vas bound to have me, they give their
and we were married tho next
spring, and moved into my cabin; and
here We have lived on this very spot nigh |
'nto forty years.


Il guess that Nancy has never regret