Year: 1874

The narrative which am about to write,
was toll me one bleak, cold light in coun-
try parlor It was one Of those nights in mid
winter, when the wind swept over the land,
making everything tngle with its frosty breath
that was seated before blazing fire. sur
rounded by jolly, half dozen boys and an Old
bachelor, A. Peter Green-about forty and
eight years OLD.


1t was Just the night without 10 make those
within enjoy a good story, so each OF. us bad
to tell his favorite story, save Mr. Green, and
as be was a jolly story teller, VIC were. some
what surprised to hear him say, 3" ] have no
story that would interest you, so we had 10
find other entertainments for while, when
one Of the boys told me to ask him how it hap
peued that he never got married. So he did.
"Well, gentlemen" he began, "it don't
seam riqlt flr mo- to toll bow tbes happened,
but as it is about myself don't care much
You see when I was young we had to walk as
high as FIVE miles to church aud singing school
which was our chief enjoyment. But this
1 dou't have anything to do with my not getting
wife, but just wanted to show You that We
lad some trog5le them days in getting our
sport.


John Smith and were Ike brothers, or like
" Mary aud her little Lamb" Where one
went the other was sure to 90. So we went
to see two sisters and as we were not the best
boys imaginable. the old gentleman took UNI
bragg and wouldn't allow us to come near the
house. 50 we would take the girls to the end
of the lane and there we you'd have to take
tie faal kiss.


We soon got tired of tha; sort Of fun, and
told John, on our way to singing school one
night, that was going to take Sadie home
and that I was going into the house, too.


He said the old man would run me if did


I told him l was going to risk it anyhow
let come what would.


lie said he would risl; it il I would"


So home we went with the girls When W.
got to the end Of the lane | told the girls W,
proposed going all the way.


They looked at each other in a way didn'
like too well, bu, said they the old folks
would be in bei, so thcy didn't care if we did


They were a little more surprised yet toIC
them we thought Of going in little while, bu
as all was que, when we got to .he house. we
had no trouble in getting into the kitchen.


Then and there we had our first court, anc
made up my mind to ask Sadie to be ny
wife tie next time came


1t was now past the turn Of the night, anc
as we had four miles to walk, told John W,
had to be going. SO we stepped out on th'
porch, but just as we did so, the sky was Ii
up by Lightning, aud oue tremendous thunder
peal rolled along the mountain sides It's ech'
had not died out 10 the far off wales until th,
rain began to pour from the garucred fullnes.
Of the clouds. We waited for it TO stop unit
we were all sleepy, when the girls said w
should 90 10 bel in the little room at the hea'
of the stairs which led out Of the kitchen, Al
their father didn't get up carly we could b
home before the old folks were astir. So afte
bidding the girls sweet good uight-aud hug
gng them HttIe-aud wishing them pleasan
dreams, aud promising them to come back OF
next Saturday night, we started for bed.


We didn't have far to go, as the bed s;Oo'
near the head Of the stairs. john was soon il
bed, but was always a little slow, and ful
Of curiosity, was looking around the It'll
room.


st last thought would ST down on
chest which was spread over with a nice whit
cloth, while drew of my boots. So down
sa. when, stars Of the east, I went plump int
/ a big egg-custard pici


Thought John would die laughing, for h
said had smashed that custard all to thunder
and the plate right in two.


You see we had to be awful quiet SO tha
the old man would not hear


was now ready to get into bed, 50 I pu
the light out aud picked up ny boots, think
ing to pu; them 10 more convenient place