Page:Poems Sherwin.djvu/58

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broke his heart before I would consent to walk with him at all; and before I went with him to the Spring Fair he swore, with the Bible in his hand, that he would make me his wife as soon as he could get his father's consent. I know he means honourably, therefore do, dear mother, go home. Besides, old Jonathan recommended our meeting here this evening, as he said it would be a lucky evening for me. I am in very good spirits about the matter, but afraid of your saying something to offend him.'

'Offend him!' said the mother, angrily, 'I want to find out if he intends to make a fool of you; and if I find he does, I'll not only offend him, but I'll spoil his pretty face for many a day to come.' 'Oh, mother, mother!' said the girl, 'I am afraid you will make mischief between us: do go home.' ' You are a sad fool,' said Betty, 'and if you had put confidence in me before it was too late, you need not now have been in his power. I tell you I will see him, and know what he means.'

"Scarcely had she done speaking, when quick footsteps approached, and I soon heard the well known voice of Thomas Green."

'Well, Mary,' said he, 'were you afraid to come alone to meet your own Thomas, as I perceive you have your mother with you.' I could hear a smothered 'No, no!' and then a burst of tears. 'How is this,' said he, when the mother spoke, and said—'Mr. Green, my daughter was last night taken very ill with a fainting fit, from which I feared she would never recover, for I thought her to be dying, and in my alarm fetched the doctor, when he told