Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-03-17

gotten him. What in the world makes YOU
stare SO, Bella 2 l told you his hair would be
as dark as yours by this time, but you wouldn't
believe it at all.''
said
ssBut L must be in Wall street by ten, so l
must be obliged to trust you to your own gov
ernment till dinner.''
With this Mr.. Meirs left our hero indes-
cribably confused. No sooner had he depart
ed than Bella burst into a ringing laugh and
exclaimed, how funny.
Merriment is said to be contagious. John
Peters laughed response to Bella, and he
had a most beautiful way of doing it, which
Bella in spite of the novelty of their situation
acknowledged with blush.
s'There is a great mistake,' said John Pc
tiers, bowling sOrrowfuly, as if he would a
stale unfold
al see," said Bella, ssyou arc trying to COW
CIR up your red hair with wig. l hate red
hair, and the change makes you look SO funny
it does indeed"
sit is all mistake,' persisted John, red
dening, 81 never wore wig in my life, Miss
Bella
'sThen you must have colored it, for it was
red ten years ago.and L used to laugh at you
when | was angry, and advised you to keep
one eye open lest YOU set the bed curtain on
fire.
''W hat an awkward situation,'' cried John,
desperately. at is true am John Peters,
but not the John Peters you take me for. AS
for having red hair, never had that honor, l
assure you.''
1t was now BelIa's turn to look surprised.
''And who are you then, if you are hot John
Peters OF Baltimore ?''
81 am John Peters of Connecticut a gradu-
ate from the Mercantile College, and at pres
ent in search of situation. | am not your
cousin, and never saw you to my knowledge
until to-day; though | must confess you are
the pretticst girl L ever did see, and begin tos
envy the genuine John Peters, your cousin :
for can't help liking you already.''
''1ou do ? Indeed, how funny. Then you
are not my cousin from Baltimore, and what is
better still, my father thinks you are. l de-
test cousin for a husband, whether he be
cousin or no. But how did il happen that papa
made such an odd mistake 20
ssWell the fact is, the whole thing was mis-
take from the beginning, and was attributable
to an advertisement in the morning papers.
Your father wanted book-keeper and adver-
tised. j saw the advertisement and applied
directly for the situation. Before stating my
businesSSI introduced myself as John Peters,
whereupon your father, forgetting there might
be another John Peters in the world, bundled
me into an omnibus and hurried me here be-
fore | could offer an explanation"
eHow odd 20 exclaimed Bella. "And you
are not my cousin after all ?-but / rather like
you, and am not little pleased at the adven-
ture, because we can both laugh over fathers
mistake, and the absent J ohm Peters red bair.''
ssBut | must explain the matter Immediately
tho dislike the idea of giving You up to the
absent John Peters," answered our hero, with
the same winning smile, especially as you
have a natural antipathy to red hair
81 don't see the use of explaining. Sup
pose We both keep quiet and let it go for
granted that we are cousins-wbat harm can
there be in 1t.
sAnd then suppose he, thinking me cousin
John Peters should insist on our being mar
ried before the genuine John Peters comes
from Baltimore"
s.Oh, it would be delightful! do so hate to
marry my cousin John, besides l like You a
thousand times better. There isn't the least
romance in marrying ones cousin, especially
Here Bella laid her pretty white hand on
his arm and said:
s.But You don't care for me (; of course you
wouldn't like to be married just to please me.
| don't blame you either, for l wouldn't mar
ry cousin if L could help it,
s.On the contrary cried John, claspiDg the
little hand warmly 81 would give the world
for that happy privilege"
s.Then you must promise to keep still and
let the matter rest as it is. You will do / 4,
won't you?'
..Most certainly answered John, s'if it
please you.';
On his return, and to his no little delight,
Mr.. Meirs found Bella deeply interested in
Cousin John. 81 thought that you would
come roundo said he. These girls are al
ways peryerse when their lovers are out of
sight, but mighty warm hearted and agreeable
when they have got together. Howbeit fancy
there is slight vein of duplicity in the best
of them, do.
ssOh, no papa, you should not be so hasty
in your conclusions, for havn't told you all
along that cousin Johns hair was red, and
that my principal objection was based upon
the fact. But you see there is slight mis-
take somewhere, for his hair (pointing to the
counterfeit cousin's) is quite dark and glossy.
| must really confess, papa, that Ike John
very much; great deal more than L expect
ed. 1 do ind, ed"
ssThen." said Mr.. Mers exultingly, sEif
were in Johns place, wonld just take the
liberty to strike while the iron is hot. There
is nothing gained by delays, and week
hence you might be as far off the handle as you
were week ago..
esOh. no, am not so tickle, but l will leave
the whole matter with you and John"
e.There, Bella, you talk like sensible girl, -
cried Mr.. Meirs. ssI knew you would. L like
your resolution. There is nothing SO rare in
the world as sensible girl at your time OF
life. John is NJ fop or profigate. He will
make Won n rood husband; will look after
your interest, and think will be worthy of
Won. AS for the wedding, John, il shall be
left entirely to you. Bella is willing, and
can see nothing to prevent its taking place
right away" ;, s.;s
s.I think whatever YOU thlhR proper, saio
John. seAnv arrangement agreeable to you
| w;ll he eoually so to me. l have great re-
snect and affection for Miss Mers, and can
safely safely say, that to be the husband OF your
daughter this moment or at any future tlme' \.
wopId he TO me the choicest gift OF heayen:
sVerv sensible remarks" says Mr.. u. JOY