Year: 1867

born's. About nine o'clock the old folks
would 60 off to bed, leaving Joshua and
Mary together. And there he would sit,
looking straight into the fire, scarcely dar-
ing to move or breathe, with the momen-
tous question trembling on the very tip of
his tongue, yet never leaving it. No
nearer toward the object of his visit when
he left the house than when he entered it.


Things went en- in this way a number
Of months. But at last an event occur
red which gave Joshua quite start. a
son of DR.. Hale, the village physician.
came from college, where he had gradu-
ated it is said, with considerable distinc-
ton. He was tall, lank, smooth
fellow, with more learning than brains,
and more brass than either He saw
Mary in church the first Sabbath after his
return, and took great fancy to her, and
commenced paying her considerable atten-
ton.


Young Hale had always been Mary's
particular aversion. She had disliked
him from his boybood but she DID not
scruplc to airt with him little, hoping
to arouse Joshua's jealousy and bring him
to the point.


1t seemed to have its effect for learn
ing that Mr.. Lawrance, one of his neigh
bOrs, thriving farmer, intended to give
party, and having obtained au inkling
in some way that that college chap, as lie
termed his rival, intended to take his
Mary, he went over to Esquire Dear
born's early the next morning and asked
her himself


Delighted at the success of her mano-
uvre, Mary gave smiling consent, and
at the appointed time, much to the chag
rim of the young collegian, who had in-
tended to appropriate her himself, she
went, accompanied by Joshua.


Alarmed at the bare possibility of losing
her, Joshua appeared like new man !;
and instead of moping in some corner, as
was his won't, not daring to speak to her
or any one else, he remained by her side
nearly the whole evening, scarcely quit
ing her for a moment, and then only
when she requested him to bring her
some refreshments


Mr.. Hale, who had viewed Joshua's
attentions to Mary with jealous eye,
heard this request, and being well aware
of Joshua's blunderns propensities, very
maliciously placed a stool directly in his
way Pretty soon Joshua came back,
and instead of walking around the stool,
as anbody else would have done, he stun
Jled over it, and sprawling full length
upon the floor, landed the contents of his
hands, which consisted of coffee and
plate heaped with doughnuts, pumpkin
pie, and various other eatables, directly
in Mary's lap.


This unexpected feat produced quite a
sensation. Mary set up loud scream,
and the rest of the company rushed to-
ward her too see what was the matter
and it was some time before order was
restored.


When the tumult had in a measure
subsided, Mary looked round for the un
lucky cause of it, but he was nowhere to
be found. Mortified at the ridiculous
figure he cut, and the merriment of those
who witnessed it, he had rushed from the
house, and never stopped or slackened his
speed until he had reached his own room
and bolted the door, firmly resolving, as
be did so, that he would never speak to
or even look at girl again SO long as he
lived


Poor Mary was Tcre annoyed at Joshua's
discontinue than at the loss Of her dress,
which was nearly ruined, and she con-
ceived stronger dislike than ever to the
young collegian, whom she was quite
sure was at the bottom of it all. She
rcsolu;ely declined his proffered escort at
the close of the entertainment, going |
home with one of her brothers leaving
him The alternative Of attending some
other lady, or going home by himself.


Two Sundays passed, and Joshua never
came near her and on Monday following,
Mary put on her bonnet and shawl and
went over to the house, for the ostensi- !
BILE purpose Of having gossip with old
Mrs. Wheat, who lived with her son, but
in reality to find out what had become Of
her sensitive lover.


Much to her disappointment, Joshua
was not at home, though she saw a coat