The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-09-17
about this time, on the pond, and invite her

about thi. time, on the pond, and invite her
to 90 with u.s."
agreed said Stephen Jones.
"Agreed," said Jack Bean. Y 49, y
Agreed" said all hands.
The question then arose who should car
~ the invitation to her and the young
men being rather bashful on that score, it
was finally settled that Susan Jones should
bear the invitation and accompany her to
the boat, where they should all be waiting
to receive her.
| The next day was very long day, at
least to most of the young men of Pond vii
lage, and promptly an hour before sunset
most of them were assembled with half a
score of their sisters and female cousins, by
little stone wharf on the margin Of the
pond, for the proposed sail. All the girls
in the village,of a suitable age, were there,
except Patty Bean. She had undergone
good deal Of tidseting and fussing during
the day, to prepare for the sail, bat had
been disappointed. Her new bonnet was
not done, and as to wearing her old hap-si-
ded bonnet, she declared she would not, if
she never went. Presently Susan Jones and
Miss Lucy Brown were seen coming down
the road.
In moment all was quiet, the laugh and
the jokes were hushed, and each one put on
his best looks. 49, -~% 70
When they arrived, Susan went through
the ceremony of introducing Miss Brown
to each of the ladies and gentlemen present.
"But how in the world are you going to
sail 90 said Miss Brown, " for there isn't a
breath of wind and don't see any sail
boat, neither"
ooh, the less wind We have the better,
when we sail here" said Charles Robinson,
I" and there's our sail boat" pointing TO- .
fiat bottomed scow beat, somo twenty feet
long by ten wide.
awe don't use no Sails" said Jack Bean;
sc some times, when the wind is fair, we put
up bush to help along little, and when
'tisn't we row." T : { IsSF|zHFa
The party were soon embarked on board
the scow, and a couple of oars were in mo-
ton, and they glded slowly and pleasantly
over as lovely sheet Of water US ever glow
ed in sunsetting ray.
In about one hours time the whole party
felt perfectly acqua nted with Miss Lucy
Brown. She had talked in the most lively
manner, she had told stories and sung songs.
Among others she had given Moore's boat
song with the sweetest possible effect ; and
by the time they returned to the landing it
would hardly be- too much to say that half
the young men in the party were decidedly
in love with her. -. #>.
A stern regard for truth requires n remark
to be made here, not altogether fav orable
to Susan Jones, which is the more to be re-
GREETED, as she was in the the main IN ex-
celent hearted girl, and highly esteemed by
the whole village. 1t was observed that US
the company grew more and more pleasant
with Miss Lucy Brown, Susan Jones was
less and less animated, till at last she be-
came quite reserved and apparently sad
She, however, on landing, accompanied her
home to Squire Johnson's door, and cordl-
ally bid her good night.
The casual glimpses which the young men
of Pond village had of Miss Brown, during
the remainder of the week, as she occasion
allv stood at the door or looked out of the
window, or once or twice when she walked
cut with Susan Jones, and the fair view
they I'LL had Of her at the meeting on the
Sabbath, served but to increase their admi-
ration, and to render her more and more an
object of attraction. She was regarded by
all as a prize, and several of them were
already planning what steps it was best to
take in order to win her. Tho two most
prominent candidates., however, for Miss
Browns favor, were Charles Robinson and
Stephen Jones. Their position and stand
ing among the young men OF the village
seemed to put all others in the back ground.
Charles, whose father was wealthy, had
every advantage which money could pro-
cure. But Stephen, though poor, had de-
cdedly the advantage of Charles IN personal
recommendations. lie had more talent,
was more sprishtly and intelligent, and more
pleasing in his address. From the evening
of the sail on the pond they had both
watched every movement Of Miss Brown,
with the most intense interest; and, as
nothing had decided lover, each had, with
movement of the other. They had ceased
to speak to each other about her, and if her
name was mentioned in their presence, both
were observed to color.
The second week after her arrival.
througe tho influence of Squire Johnson,
the district school was offered to Miss
Brown, on the other side of the pond, which
offer was accepted, and she went immedi-
ately to take charge of it. This announce
ment at first threw something of a dampor
upon the spirits Of the young people eff
Pond village. But when it was understood
that the school would continue but few
weeks. and being but u mile and half dis
tant, Miss Blown would come home every
Saturday afternoon and spend the Sabbath,
it was not very difficult to be reconciled to
the temporary arrangement. The week
wore away heavily, especially to Charles
Robinson and Stephen Jones. They coun-
ted the days impaasntiy till Saturday, and
on Saturday they counted the long and lag
ging hours to noon. They had both made
up their minds that it would be dangerous
to wait any longer, and they had both
resolved not to let another Sabbath
pass without making direct proposal to Miss
Brown.
Stephen Jones was too early riser for
Charles Robinson, and, in any enterprise
where both were concerned, Was certain TO
take tho lead, except where money could
carry the palm, and then Of course, it was
always borne away by Charles. As Miss
Lucy had been absent most of the week,
and was to be at home that afternoon,
Charles Robinson had made an arrangement
with his mother and sister to have a little
tea party in the evening for the purpose of
inviting Miss Brown; and then of course,
he should walk home with her in the even.
ing. and then, of course would DO a good
opportunity to break the ice and make
known to her his feelings and wishes.
Stephen Jones, however, was more prompt
in Ills movements. lie had got wind of the
proposed tea party, although himself and
sister, for various reasons, had not been
invited, and he resolved not to risk the arri-
val of Miss Brown and her visit to Mr.
Robinson's, before he should see her. She
would dismiss her school at noon, and come
the distune Of mile and half around the
pond. home. His mind was at once made
up. He would 90 round and meet her at
the school-t ouse. and accompany her on