140 A GOOD-LOOKING GIRL. 



a snug house up, and three or four acres planted with 

 corn. 



' As the season was summer, and there was little 

 or nothing to do, I started along the bottom land 

 to look for game. A few miles brought me to a 

 clearing, in which there was a shanty. Before this 

 I had not known that neighbours were so close. As 

 I was thirsty, I thought I'd go to the house and bor- 

 row a dipper to get a drink from their well, but 

 nobody was inside. I looked about, and in a small 

 tobacco-patch observed a young girl topping and 

 trimming the plants. Before I got to her she raised 

 her head, and, from her look, I could see that she was 

 scared at my presence. 



f In the old State where I came from the women 

 are comely. I have seen in my time a heap of good- 

 looking girls, but never any that could compare 

 with this one. When she heard my errand she 

 appeared satisfied, and procured me the dish. 

 While I drank and I know I made as long a job 

 of it as I could I got a good look at her, and my 

 heart was none the better for the same. She might, 

 however, be a married woman ; but I soon solved 

 that point, for I asked her, at the same time assum- 

 ing an air of indifference, whether her husband 

 was soon expected back. " My father is," she replied. 

 I told her where I lived, adding, that I would like 

 to meet the old man. So I sat upon the fence 

 rails, and talked to her about everything but the 

 one that was nearest my heart. 



