Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1875 — Texas Courtship. [ARTICLE]

Texas Courtship.

He sat one side of the room in a big white-oak rocking-chair. She sat on the other side in a little white-oak rockingchair. A long-eared deer-hound, snapping at flies, was by his side; a basket of sewing by hers. Both rocked incessantly; that is, the young people, not the dog and the basket. He sighs heavily and looks out the west window at a crape myrtletree; she sighs lightly and looks out the east window—at the turnip patch. At last he remarks: “This is mighty good weather to pick cotton.” * ’Tis that —if we only had any to pick.” The rocking continues. “ What’s your dog’s name ?” “ Coony.” Another sigh-broken stillness. “ What is he good fur?” “ What is who good stir?” said he, abstractedly. “ Your dog, Coony.” “ Fur ketchin’ ’possums." Silence of half an hour. “ He looks like a deer dog.” “ Who looks like a deer dog ?” “ Coony.”

“He is; but he’s Kinder bellowsed an’ gettin’ old and slow now. An’ he ain’t no ’count on a cold trail.” In the quiet ten minutes that ensued she took two stitches in her quilt. It was a gorgeous affair, that quilt was, made by the pattern called “ Rose of Sharon.” She is very particular about the nomenclature of her quilts, and frequently walked fifteen miles to get a new pattern with a “real putty name.” “ Your ma raisin’ many chickings ?” “ Forty-odd.” Then more rocking and, somehow, after awhile, the big rocking-chair and the little rocking-chair were jammed side by side. —- “ How many has your ma got?” “ How many what?” “ Chickens.” “Nigh on to a hundred.” By this time the chairs were so close together that rocking was impossible. “ The minks has eat all ours.” Then a long silence reigns. At last he observes: “ Makin’ quilts ?” “Yes,” she replies, brightening up, “ I’ve just finished a ‘ Roarin’ Eagul of Brazeal,’ a ‘ Sitting Sun,’ and a * Nasion’s Pride.’ Have you ever saw the 4 Yellow Rose of the Parary’ ? ” “No.” More silence; then he says: “ Do you love cabbage?” “I do that.” <1 , Presently his hand is accidentally placed on hers. She does not know it —at least does not seem to be aware of it. Then after a half hour spent in sighs, coughing and clearing of throats, he suddenly says: “ I’se a great a mind to bite you.” “What you great a-mind to bite me fur?” “ Kase you won’t have me.” “ Kase you ain’t axed me.” “ Well, now, I ax you.” “ Then, now, I has you.” ' 1 Then Coony dreams he hears a sound of kissing. The next day the young man goes to Tigerville after a marriage license. Wednesday, the following week. No cards.— St. Louis Republican.