The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-08-19
parted than Bella burst intO ringing laugh

aud exclaimed, show funny 70
Merriment is said to be contagious. John
Peters laughed response to Bella, and he
had most beautiful way Of doing it, which
Bella, In spite Of the novelty Of their sit
nations, acknowledged with blush.
"There is great mistake" said John
Peters, bOwing sorrOwfully, as The would a
"tale unfold"
II see," said Bella, "you are trying to
cover up your red hair with q wig. I hate
red hair, and the change makes you look 80
funny--it does indeed.". @
"It is all a mistake" !" persisted John, red
dening, 81 never wore wig in my life' Miss
Bella" a.s. ~. ,s5rs 9fG#
"Then you must have colored it, for twas
red ten years ago, and used to laugh at you
when was angry, and advised you to keep
one eye open lest you set the bed curtains
on fire." a , ss a bgr 5a
"What an awkward situation," cried
John, desperately. 'It is true ! am John
Peters. but not the John Peters you take me
for. As for having red hair, never had the
honor, assure you." asa
Il was now Bella's turn to look surprised.
"And who are you then, If you are not
John Peters, of Baltimore!
II ara John Peters OF Connecticut, grad.
uate from the Mercantile College, and at
| present in search of a situation. am not
your cousin, and never saw you to my know.
ledge until to-day; though / must confess
you are the pre,tiest girl ever did see, and
begin to envy the genuine John Peters, your
cousin, for can't help liking you already"
"Yuu do! Indeed, how funny Then
you are not my cousin from Baltimore, and
what is better still, father thinks you are
do detest cousin for husband. But how
did it happen that papa made such an odd
mistake!"
"Well, the fact is, the whole thing is a
mistake from the beginning, and was attr-
butabIe to an Gdvertis ement in the mcrnin ing
papers. Your father wanted book keeper,
and advertised. saw the advertisement
and applied directly for the situation. Be.
fore stating my business ! introduced my
self as John Peters, whereupon your father,
forgetting that there might be another John
Peters in the world, bundled me into an ON.
nibus and hurried me here before could
offer an explanation"
"How odd! exclaimed Bella. "And you
are not my cousin after all!--but rather
like you, and am not little pleased at the
adventure, because we can both laugh over
fathers mistake, aud the absent John Pc,
ter's red hair"
"ButT must explain the matter immedi-
utely, though dislike tho idea of giving up
to the absent John Peters," answered our
hero, with the same winning smile, "especi.
ally as you have natural antipathy to red
hair"
II don't see the use Of explaining. Sup.
pose we both keep quiet end let it 60 for
granted that we nre cousins--what harm
can there be in it :"
"And then suppose he, thinking me cou.
sin John Peters, should insiet on our being
married before the genuine John Peters
comes from Baltimore :"
"Oh, it would be delightful! I do SO
hate to marry my cousin John. besides,
like you thousand times better. There
isn't the least romance In marrying ones
cousin, especially such cousin as John
Peters, Of Baltimore"
Here Bella laid her pretty white hand on
| his arm and said &
"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
wouldn't marry cousin il could help it,"
"On the contrary" cried John, clasping
The little hand, ~ would give the world for
that happy privilege"
Then you must promise to keep still,
and let the matter rest as it is. You will do
it, won't you." }i @
Most certainly" answered John, "if it
please, you" ..l .,.t,g -s
On bis return, and to bis, no little delight,
Meirs found Bella deeply interested in cou.
sin John. IL thought that you would come
round" said he "these girls are always
perverse when their lovers are out Of sight,
but mighty warm.hearted and agreeable
when they get together. Howbeit, fancy
there is a slight vein Of duplicity In the best
Of them, do" -
1"Oh no. papa, you should not be 80 hasty
10 your conclusions, for havn't / told you all
along that cousin Johns hair was red, and
that my principal objection wac based up
on the fact. Butyou see there is slight
mistake somewhere, for his hair (pointing
to the counterfeit cousiu's) is quite dark
and glossy. must really confess. papa,
that like John very much. . great deal
more than j expected. / do, indeed" y..l.
"Then,' said Mr.. Meirs, exultingly, "if
Iwere in Johns place would just take the
liberty 10 strike while the iron is hot. There
q nothing gained BY delays. and week
henceyou might be % far oiSthe handle q
you wese'a week ago. a fa
'e0h. mo, am not fckle, but will leave
H. n Il. go