The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-06-22

jenkins, perceIvlng good chance To say what
he wantedio. i came here simply from curl
osity. 1t is always best to be frank and truth
full; / have no intention of marrying, but
seeing so novel an advertisement in the paper,
/ wished to know its meaning
jenkins was of opinion that when he utter
ed this speech. a careful observer might have
seen the slightest shade of disappointment
beclond the features of the fair stranger; but
if SO, it passed qnickly. ..l-zssIz, ssa=4z e aae
After few minutes conversation. Jenkins
arose to depart. He expressed qualification
at having seen her. and said that as be had
few days to spend in the city. he would, if he
might presume to do SO, beg the honor of
calling upon her. .e
| Tell me, SIR replied the enchanting dam
sci; tell me if you can respect me just as
much as though you had met me at Saratoga
or Newport, and sought an Introduction p
1t matters little where We find jewel we
prize was the gallant reply of the gallant
Jenkins
| IF by that-you mean to answer me in the
affirmative was the reply, Il shall be happy to
have you call upon me to morrow evening at
my uncles, Mo- 14th street. -.=ea.-s
Jenking went away, lookips, like Fefdi
nand, s-s. -.
in moved sort,
| - As if he dismayed'
His soliloquy was something after this
fashion:
4 was fool for going there !! if the girl is
honest. and has taken fancy to me she will
he disappointed. She seems honest and mod
est. though I don't understand how a really
modest woman could go to such a place; still
she might, perhaps I did as much as tell her
| | thought it was not immedest when asked
to call upon her. I don't think 1 ought to
bave done so; am sure it is wrong. I won't
go-that's the cheapest way to get out of it.
Yes. l will gol
Jenkins wBs swayed by conflicting emotions
for something more than twenty four hours
sometimes firmly resolving not to call and
again as determined to go. Finally, when the
time came, he started without hesitation.
H&found Della (so she called herself) in a
very respectable house, richly furnished. He
was introduced to the uncle as an old &C.
quantance whom she had met at watering
place. The evening passed very pleasantly
so pleasantly. indeed, that jenkins, without
thinking precisely what he was about. prom
ised to call again, which he did, two evenings
later.
This time he found Della alone, and after
another verv pleasant chat, arose to take his
leave, remarking that he should remain in town
but three days longer, and asked if he might
call again.
He now observed that his new friend an.
peared much EN- barrassed. She did not an
swer directly. and jenkins walked to the door
She followed with hesitating steps. but finally
seized him frantically by the hand, and draw
ing him back, slammered rather than spoke a!
follows:
You-sir-you ask if you shall call again
1t will give me pleasure to have you do So
that is-sir-I-have-som -something-to-say
You will excuse me-bat / know YOU are
generous and can appreciate my position'-(a
profound sigh, and Della, staggering to the
piano placed her head in her hands and wept
Madam said Jenkins, 4 trust can appre
ciate what you wish to say; and if I can be
of service to yoa in any way, you have only tc
show me how
She restrained her tears and proceeded:
Il will be frank with you, sir-that is
(sighs and tears)-I will try to tell you-wil
you forgive me if it is wrong ?
Certainly it cannot be wrong jenkins an
swered, considerably excited by the unexpected
scene Tell me frankly; J assure you it viii
give me pleasure to serve you
Yes-but-O dear (another fit of weep
ing)-but-it is so-strange =
What is it. Della ? said jenkins, for tn
; first time calling her by her Christian name
You will be as frank as l am, will yo1
notf
Yes
well then-whether you come again o
not depends upon YOURSELF
Then I shall certainly Gomez
i fear not
pray explain
duu l6dTSJ
Be calm
WELL then. will try to be calm enough
I-like-yo ou-very-much-and- - feel-to
wards you as-I never did towards another
THAT isl am sure shall. if you continu
to come here-toue you If you do not fet
so towards me, I must ask you not to com
again.
This last speech was interlarded with a
infinite number of sighs, and appearances
fainting; and no sooner was it concluded tha
she fellfainting toward the Devil tered Jenkin
Of course, there was no alternative. and b
caught her in his arms. and made varior
frantic attempts to restore her; and as he thu
performed his kindly Offices in came the uncl
of a sudden, followed by young man whol
Jenkins had not before seen.
Those who have read the adventures of tn
renowned Mr.. Pickwick, will never forget tt
memorable occasion Oh which his friends Ell
tered his lodgings, and found Mrs. Barde
falnting and screaming in his arms; and the
have only to revert to that picture to have q
exact portrait of the case Of Mr.. Jenkins
The uncle summoned the servant girl, VIII
for some unaccountabIe reason. was very ne.
at hand; she came rushing to the spot, ar
she. too, saw Della in the arms of the petrifie
i jenkins.
In due time their united efforts restored h
) and the uncle demanded of her an explain
/. ton. But she could not or would not NAL