Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-11-04

Mr.. Hale, who had viewed Joshua's
attentions with . jealous eye, heard
this request, and being we'll awars y
Joshus's laundering propsnsitiss, very
maliciously placed . stool directly in
his way. Pretty soon, joshua came
back, and instead Of walking around
the stool, As anybody else would have
done, he stumbled over it, ana sprawl
ing full length upon tho floor, landed
the contents of his hands, which con-
sisted Of . cup Of coffee and . plate
heaped with doughnuts, pumpkin pie,
and various other eatables, directly in
to Mary's lap.
This unexpected feat produced quite
. sensation. Mary set up . loud
scream, and tho rest of the company
rushed toward her to see what was the
matter and it was sometime before
order was restored. $40 .ssss
When the tumult had in . measure
subsidized, Mary looked around for the
unlucky cause Of it, but he was nowhere
to be found. Mortified at the ridicn.
lous figure hc cut, and the merriment
Of those who witnessed it, he had rushed
from the house, and never stopped or
slackened his speed until he had reach
ed his own room and bolted the door,
firmly resolving as be did so, that he
would never speak to or even look at .
girl again, as long as he lived.
Poor Mary was more annoyed at
Joshua's evident discontinue than at
the loss of her dress, which was nearly
ruined, and she conceived . stronger
dislike than ever to the young collegian,
whom she was quite sure was at the
bottom of it all. She resolutely de-.
clined his profered escort at the close
Of the entertainment, going home with
one of her brothers; leaving him the
alternative Of attempting some other
lady, or going home by himself.
Two days passed, and Joshua never
came near her; and on the Monday
following, Mary put on her bonnet and
shawl, and went over to the house for
the ostensible purpose of havinga gos-
sip with old Mrs. Wheat, who lived
with her son, but in reality to find out
what had become Of her sensitive lover.
| Much to her disappointment Joshua
vas not at home, though she saw a
coat-tail quickly disappearing through
an opposite door as she entered the
room, which she shrewdly conjectured
to belong to him.
After sitting awhile and chatting
with the old lady, with whom she was
quite q favorite, Mary arose to 60, say
ing, "she guessed she would 60 across
the lots, as it was considerable nearer. -
| She accordingly passed out the back
way. As she was going through the
garden, she caught a glimpse of JOSH
ia in an adjoining orchard, walking
iisconsolate!y amcDg the trees laden
with their luscious fruit, and looking as
though he haden't friend in the world.
He started and oolored as his eyes
fell upon Mary.
"Why, Mr.. Wheat" she exclaimed,
in tone Of surprise, "who would have
thought of fi4ding you here? Why
haven't seen you for an age! Have
you been sick?"
eyes that is, haven't beer
very well lately" stammered poor Josh
ia, looking as if he had half . mind tc
run away. -
"You don't say so! You are pale!''
said Mary, with an appearance Of great
sympathy, glancing mischeviously al
his face, which was growing redder ev.
cry moment, and winch certainly show
ed no signs Of ill health.
"What . beautiful situation you
have!' she resumed after . pause, look
ing admiringly around on the well-cul-
tivated farm. s.Thero is only one thing
wanted to make you quite comfortable,
she added slyly, s'and that is wife.
What in the world is the reason you
don't get married, Joshua?"
The poor fellow colored up to the
tips Of his hair. 81 really dom,
know" he gasped, "there- there won't
anybody have me-"
| ssFiddlestick's end" was the laugh
ing rejoinder; 81 know better than
that? There are plenty that would, if
you would only take the trouble to ask
them. I know Of one, at least" she
added in lower tone.
"No! but really do your" inquired
Joshua, eagerly. ''Who can it be-"
This was rather too much, and grow
ing indignant at either his stupidity OF
want Of courage to take advantage of
the opportunity she gave him, she re-
NAMED silent.
"What singular looking apple that
is, you hold in your hand!!" she re-
marked at last, breaking the embarass-
ing silence that had ensued.
EYES," returned Joshua, ssit is .
new kind that grated last year, and
the only one that came to perfection.
Won't you have it, Miss Mary?" he
added, looking at her tinidly.
"Wlll I have you, Joshua? Of
course / will" said Mary, with the
most innocent air imaginable.
Joshua was thunderstruck, scarcely
daring to believe his earn ssAra von