Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-04-12

aHold your arm, sir, and I'll set it a
righ. in one moment, said Esther, instant
ly producing from some secret recess in th
folds of her dress, q thimble and needl,
threaded with black silk, and setting e1
pertly to work.
''Tbere now, consider yourself whole. "
allow skillful you are," said Mark, ad
miringly, after be had thanked her mos
sincerely. "But then you have so man
nice little concerns to work with. hav
only needle and some wax, besides m
scissors"
"You ought to have a housewife, Nj
Thornbrooke," said Miss Lily, timidly lifl
ing up her long lsshss in his direction
Lily never could speak TO Thornbrook
without soft, little rosy shadow on be
cheek.
"a whats" demanded Mark, turnin,
very red.
"A housewife"
"Yes," said Mark, after moments awk
ward hesitation "my-my friends hav
told me SO very often-and I really tbinl
so myself, you know. But what sort o
a one would you recommend, Miss Ray
mondl"
"Oh, any pretty little concern. I'll sent
you one in the morning, if you'll accept o
it." she added with a rosy light on be-
cheeks again.
"K-Pll-accept i'll" said Mark, feeling
as if be we're in an atmosphere of pear
and gold with two wings sprouting ou. o.
his broadclo:h, on either side. And jus,
as be was opening bis lips to assure Miss
Lily that be was ready TO take the pre-
cious gift to his arms then and there, with.
out any unnecessary delay, the door open,
ed and in walked Jones.
Mark was not at all canibalistic in his
propensities, but just then he could have
eaten Jones up with uncommon pleasure.
And there the fellow sat, pulling his long
moustaches and talking the most insipid
twaddle-sat and sat, until Mark rose in
despair to go. Even then he had no op-
portunity to exchange private woid with
Lily.
"You-you'll not forget"
"Oh, I'll be sure to remember" said she
smilingly, and half wondering at that un-
usual pressure be gave her hand. La
dies often do provide their bachelor friends
SOP
Mark went home the happiest individu-
al that ever trod New York pavement.
Indeed, so great was bis felicity that he in
dulged in various gymnastic capers indica-
tive of bliss, only pausing in them at the
gruff caution of policeman, who probably
had forgotten his own courting days
"Come, young man, what are you about9"
"Was there ever a more delicate way of
me of her favorable considera-
ton? Was there ever more feminine ad-
mission of her sentiment9 Of course she
will come herself-an angel, breathing airs
from Paradise-and / shall tell her Of my
ove. A housewife OH the delicious
words! Wonder what neighborhood she
would like me to engage resideDce-how
'oon it would be best to name the day /?
)h if 1 should awake and find it ali
,lissful dream!"
Early the next morning Mr.. Thornbrooke
et briskly to work, "righting up things"
low he swept and busted and secured
be room was aired to get rid of the to-
'acco smoke, and sprinkled with colonge,
nd beauti6ed generally. And at length
Fhen the dust was all swept into one cor
er, and covered by carelessly @ dispo-
ed newspaper, be found the window glass
nurky, and polished it with such vengeance
hat his fist, handkerchief and all, went
hrough, sorely damaging the hand, and
ecessitating the ungraceful accessory of an
Id hat to keep out the wintry blast for
me being. However, even this mishap
idn't long damp his spirits. for was not
lily coming.
Long and YEARLY he waited, yet nc tinkle
the bell gave warning of her approach. I
It's all her sweet feminine nnodesty," I
fought he, and. was content. ,
At length there was an appeal below, s
I'd Marks heart jumped up into his mouth I
Eating like reveille drum. He rushed t
the door, but there was no one but a Z
tie grinning black boy, with box. s
Miss Raymond's compliments, and here's a
J housewife, sir"
"The housewife, You little imp of Ere S
,s,n q
"Yes, sir, in the box, all rightr' Il
Mark skunk back into his room and
'ened the box, half expecting 10 see a t
II dressed young lady issue from it, ala n
rabian Nights; but not was only a o
tie blue velvet book, and full of odd o
mpartmens in azure silk, containing tape, Il
edles, scissors, silk, thimbles and all the c.
ce little workable accessories - s,
And she calls this housewife p groaned a
ark, in inefable bitterness of spirit at the il
wnfall of his bright visions. "But I o
mt be put off so." Il
Desperation gave him courage, and off 81
hied to the Raymond mansion, deter
ned to settle the matter if there were b
'ty Jopeses and Esthers there. 7
But Lillian was alone, singing at her en- a
oidery in the sunshiny window easement. a
"Dear me, Mr.. Thornbrooke, is anything n
. matter2" n
Perhaps it was the shadow the from Q,
endid crimson cactus plumes in the win ts
W that gave her cheek such delicate n
,w-perbaps-but we have no right TO O
sculate. m
"Yes." And Mark sat down by her p
e, and took the trembling futtering &
nd. "You sent me a housewife this tc
,rning?" st
"Wasn'L it righti" faltered Lillian. q
at wasn't the kind / wanted at all 7" Or