Year: 1859

mischief running away at the first word
he uttered upon the subject. To think of
supplying her place from the many fair
damsels in it-who would gladly have ac-
cepted his hand, was out Of the question.
It was Nettie he loved. and Nettie only,
and he felt sure she returned his affections,
but how could he ever get married if he
was not permitted to propose. i must
resort to stratagem,' he thought. and he
partially formed many plans to bring the
little beauty to terms, and as often aban-
doned them.


His mind was busy with such thoughts,
as one bright morning in September he
walked slowly towards Farmer Gray s
mansion. He leisurely assembled the hill
at the top of which upon level table land
stood the great old house, when he was
startled by familiar voice calling out.


Bring the ladder, Dic,l l want to get
down. And looking up he beheld Nettie
seated in the wide spreading branches of
large apple tree that stood in the field
near the road; Dick, perched upon the
topmost round of a ladder that leaned
against pear tree, was quietly filling
basket with the rich fruit


Wait minute, sis, replied DicE, with
out looking up; Il have got my basket al
most full Ill come in a minute


Come now. Dick quick quick quic'S
again called the inpatient voice of his sis
ter.


Dick evidently began to think there was
something wrong, for as he turned around,
his eye instantly caught sight of our hero
coming up the road, but few rods from
whore they were. He instantly descended
from the tree, but instead of carrying the
ladder to assist his sister to descend, he
gave loud shout. threw his cap into the
air, cleared the wall with one bound, and
ran rapidly down the hill shouting at the
top of his voice, o, Mr.. Grafton, I've treed
coonl' Then placing his hands upon
the ground before him, he turned some five
or six summersaIlts, uttered as many bois-
terous shouts, and pieAing up his cap, ran
with all his might to the house. The lit
tie rouge evidently loved mischief as well
as did his sister.


Charles first thought was to GO to the
assistance of Nettie, and he leaped the wall
and approached the tree. Taking the lad
der from the pear tree he was about pla-
cling it for her to descend, when a sudden
thought suggested itself She cannot run
away from me now, and not stopping to
consider the ungallant act, he grasped
low branch, and with some gay remark,
swung himself lightly up, and took seat
by her side.


Nettie, who was an amiable girl, and
could take joke as good naturedly as she
could give one. only laughed heartily at the
trick her brother played her, complimented
Charlie upon his agility, and invited him
to help himself to the blushing fruit that
hung in such tempting profusiOn about
them. After chatting on variety of
themes, he determined to approach the sub
iect. and, if possible, get an Ineligible
answer. For some time he sat in silence,
then said:


.Nettie, have something to say to you.


'Ahl have you? she replied. We'll
Charlie, please help me down, and you can
say it as we walk to the house.


Charlie saw the mischief in her eyes, and
resolved to 60 on without needing her re-
quest, yet he changei somewhat in his mode
of attac:;.


'Nettie, am going to be married


Married Charlie, married.


Without. needing the prayerful glance
that was raised to his face, he went on:
Yes, Nettie, my business is now very
prosperous; 1 have pretty home, which
needs only the additional charm of pair
E of bright eyes. l have found sweet gen
tie girl, whom l love with all my heart,
and who is willing to become my wife, and
have resolved to marry. l have tried
, long time to tell you, but you wsuld not
hear it


Nettie had listened to this speech in ut
ter amazement. She had long believed
that she was the beloved of Charlie Graf
, toms heart, and she meant, after she had
teased him to her hearts content, to listen
to his love, and become his dutiful and low
ing wife. But her hopes were now sudden
ly dashed to atoms. 1t was too much. A
giddy faintness came over her, and, but for
the support of Charles arm, she would
, have fallen to the ground. Charlie
: noticed her emotion, and feared he had
gone too far. 1t was but for moment,
however. She soon regained her self-pOs-
. session, and sat upright by his side. HeI
face was very pale, but her eyes flashed
proudly as she replied, and there was 8
] spice of bitterness in her tones:


May 1 ask the name of her who ha'
f been honered with the offer of the hant
q and heart of my noble friend?'
First let me describe her. She is :
{ beautiful girl, and possesses warm ant
e loving heart She has but one fault
o fault it may be called. She delights t.
q tease those who love her best, and often ha
: she given me severe heart pang. Yet
!? Nettie, love her deeply and fervently, ant
e it shall be the object of my life to guar
- lar for q