The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1858-11-25

name, which he performed with peculiar
impressiveness and in style which. may
be safely characterized as loud
He had scarcely concealed, painting for
breath with the exertions he had made,
when a door opened near by, which led
into the back yard, and Seth saw, dimly
defined, human figure standing ipthe
doorway. He knew not at first Who it
was, and uncertain whether to remain
silent or address it; but. while he was de-
Gliding in his mind what 10 do, the fgnre
spoke, and he knew at once that itBas
Mary's grndmother, venerable lady Of
eighty or upwarps, who resided ngthe
family.
is that you Seth Spikenardl ash ID she,
as she advanced step further towards
him.
yes, marm, its me- replied Setil, won
deripg what shopiS'bring the Old woman
out at that time of night, instead Of any
Of the other inmates Of the house.
well, thought So said the old lady;
for didn't know Of anybody elssaround
here that plays on such things. What
do you do it for?' I
well, you see, thought I'd Just come
up, as Mary's got home again, and sere-
made her little. | thought perhaps she
might be pleased at such welcome. !
guess she must be asleep
He glanced up at the window overhead
as he spoke, and made movement as if
to begin another air.
'Tain't no use of doing that said the
old woman; she amt there.
'Then where is shel' inquired Seth,
taken all aback at this information.
Her folks went away this morning, to
be gone couple of days, and 50 she went
over to visit with neighbor Stsbbins'
family and stay oyer night. You'd better
wait till some other time afore you play
any more; you do it pretty well, Iguess,
but want to 60 to sleep again, and |
don't care about hearing any more to.
night
Saying which the old lady went uncer,
enormously into the house, leaving Seth
to ponder over what he had heard, and
return home 10 his leisure.
/ But Seth wasn't inclined to return home
lust then. He had come over to serenade
Mary Tripley, and he determined thA. his
labor should not be in vain.
Mr. Slebbins lived scarcely half a mile
further on, and why could he not go there
and serenade her full as well as anywhere!
This was the question Seth asked him
! self, and, as no uulayorable answer arose
in response, he put lhis claronet under his
arm, turned into the road, and SET of
valorously in the direction he wished to
pursue.
AS be approached the residence Of the
Stebbins' Seth was gratifed to see a light
burning in one of the chamber windows
and he became at once possessed OF The
idea that the inmate of the room could bt
no other than her he was after. He was
quickly over the garden fence, and was
Just in the act of placing his instrument
to his mouth, when the light disappeared
as if it had been suddenly extinguished
She's just going 10 bed,' he uttered,
half aloud. but it's all right, I've founc
her at last, aud I'll do my prettiest.'
And he did.
Nelly Bly, The Old Folks at Home,
J and finally, odd Hundred followed eacl
! other in rapid and uninterrupted success
ion. Seth grew too exhausted to sount
another note, and the clarionet too hoarse
to give forth anything like true utter
ance Of what was really intended. Anc
his heart beat high with the result, for ere
his second tune was finished, he had heart
the window raised, and had seen a darl
shape appear therein, and now as he paus
: ed, a heavy sigh smote upon his ear, and
a female voice exclaimed, in an unde
tone.
How Beautiful!
'Good evening, said Seth, looking up
Hush! speak low, returned the other
in loud whisper, bending forward as sh
spoke; you will awaken the folks in tn
other part Of the house if you do not
Seth drew up as near to the object o
his passion as possible, yet there wa
some little distance between them still.
You are Mary, amt you? he asked
in low voice.
'Yes, to be sure am. Obi how kline
ofyou, Mr.. Spikenard, to give me such I
treat. | am so fond of music
Don't mention it, said Seth, immensely
fiattered at what he heard. 'l'd go twenty
miles to serenade you if thought j
would give you any pleasure. But dom
call me Mr. Spikenard--call me Seth!'
'Oh, l am afraid you will think me toe
bold--we have known one another Sc
little
so littlel Why we have known one
another long enough, | should think; long
enough. any way, for me to like you,
'0hl Seth
To like you BETTER continued the
young man grati6ed, ifnot a little aston
ished at the wonderful success he was
making, than any other girl l.know Of
yes, a hundred times better@han anybody
ever laid my eyes on
The occupant of the window sighed,
quite audibly.
Ifyou men were not such deceiyers,
she exclaimed; ii we could only know
when to trust ynup
This was uttered in such atender tone,
and with such an encouraging air, that
Seth's heart beat like trip-hammer, with
the joy he felt, for he was certain, in his
own mind that his suit was as GOOD as