"And marriageable young lady, like Miss—"
"Miss Catchem," said the Major.
"Catchem!" cried the gents.
"Catchem, that was her name; she was the daughter of a very respectable widow," continued the Major.
"A widow's daughter, eh?" said they all, now much interested in Uncle Joe's journey to Saratoga, and—but we won't anticipate.
"Of a very respectable widow, whose husband, I believe, was a—but no matter, they were of good family, and a—"
"Yes, yes, Uncle Joe," said the ladies, "no doubt of that; go on with your story; you paid attention to Miss Catchem; you grew familiar—you became mutually pleased with each other, and you finally—well, tell us how it all came out, Uncle Joe, do!" they cried.
"Bless me, ladies! You've quite got ahead of my story—altogether! Miss Catchem and I never spoke a word to each other in our lives," said the Major.
"Why, Uncle Joe!" cried the whole party.
"By banks of Brandywine, it's a fact."