Year: 1860

happened that he met Susan on the road. HI
did not speak to her, bat fancied that sh,
looked at him with a fond regard in her eyes
and he was sorely tempted to write to her
But he was afraid TO incnr such risk, for 4
he should be rejected now-and he had tee
much good sense not to feel sure that he would
be--he could never renew his suit. Il will
wait, he said, until am my own man, and
nave some money in my pocket. It is only
four years And taking an apple, he divided
it into quarters. These, he said, ARE the
terms OF my probation, and | will swallow
them thus So he ate four pieces of apple in
silence, and then went brayely to work again,
thinking to himself all the while, IF Susan
loves me as love her, she will wait for me
if she does not, can let her 60,


Al last the four years were gone, and John
Darling was his own man with fortune Of
three hundred dollars in hard cash, which he
had saved out of his wages, good suit OF
clothes, a beaver hat, and as good a constitu-
ton as any man of his years need be endowed
with He had, moreover sound conscience
There was not crack in it; and as for looks,
why, there were not many better looking fell
lows in Old Berks. But he did not pride him
sell much on his looks, for the eye cannot see
its own brightness, and John had always
thought more of his conduct than he had of
his person.


lie had waited so long and so patiently for
the time to rivewhen he might tell Susan
how much he loved her, and learn from her
whether his passion was reciprocated or mo-,
that he determined at once to know his fate
lie dressed himself in his best suit, put on his
beaver hat, and rode to the Squire's house.
where he had the good fortune TO find the oh
jcct of his affections alone. He thought she
had never before looked so lovely; but what
she thought can only be surmised. They were
| both very much embarrassed on finding them
| selves together alone, and John made several
Intellectual attempts to speak before he could
utter an artcuate sound. At last he managed
to ask the young lady if she wonld confer the
favor on him of giving him her company for
the space of half an hour, as he had something
particular to say to her. To his great horror.
Susan replied, blushing deeply that she could
not. His first impulse was to fly from her pre-
sencc, and seek watery grave in the waves of
The Catawissa, which was then swollen by
treshet, and in good condition for drowning.
But there was something encouraging in the
tunc of her voice, and plucking NJ courage
again, John Darling said. Perhaps you did not
understand me 2 To which Susan replied,
blusling deeper than before, Perhaps you did
not understand me?'


This WAS the last misunderstanding they
ever had, for they Immediately afterwards dis
covered that they understood each other per-
tcrtly.


Jonu Darling, after his half hours CONVEX
sation with Susan, which 10 tel, the honest
truth was prolonged TO full Two hears, return
ed home the happiest Of moitals, and the very
next day he underwent the terrible ordeal Of
asking the Squire for permission to marry his
daughter. The Squire had got hint of the
affair, and had made up his mind not to give
his consent. The idea of bestowing his daugh-
ter upon a tanners apprentice John Darling
would sooner have faced fifty angry fathers than





right with Susan, he called upon the Squire
with less trepidation than could have been ex-
pected The Squire was alone in his office
when John called, and when he had learned
the presumptuous nature of the young mans
visit, the old fellow took off his silver bowed
spectacles, and looking John sternly in the
face, said, and, so you want me to allow you
my daughter Susanr


EYES," replied John, 'sand will take her
upon one condition only, as much as love
her.


"Take my daughter upon conditionslp ex-
claimed the old gentleman, turning very red
in the face, and giving the law book before
him a terrible blow.


.'Ycs, sir said John, calmly, "conditions as
to your property"


The Squire was specchless with astonish-
ment at his audacity. Here was young fell
low not only demanding his daughter in mar
riage but prescribing conditions about his
property. 1t was no wonder that the Squire
could do nothing but stare at the bold man.


aThe conditions upon which will take her, 2
continued John, care that will not receive
one dollar Of your property with her. 1t is
Susan only that 1 want and not your proper
ty,'


This was something SO unexpected to the
Squire that he was rather prcpossessed in fa-
vor Of his proposed son-in-law, by the inde-
pendent honesty he manifested, and he did not
long withhold his consent to the marriage,
which took place the very next month.


CHAPTER II.


John DAZZLING had pIovdcd home for his
bride, to which he took her Immediately after
their marriage; it was not quite equal in SPLEEN