The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-09-26
BIDDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY MORNING,

composed OF oil the roots and herbs IN CHRIST
endom? tell you. Phil, 1t was almost pur
gatory to me, there at Becchwood; but l re
solved never to surrender.
"But 1t bothered me most that Jenn.
could torment me so. Twas in love-I knew
it; bat had no power to flee from her tolls,
Talk about electric shocks-why. on
touch Of her little white hand would set my
heart to humping against my ribs
The contact Of her floating curls woulC
make my frame tingle to my fingers ends
That's what call yal-vanic battery.
"Well, came of with college honors
twenty, and went home to Dsechwood.-
Uncle Dick shook my hand till he runs tear
(of pain) from my eyes; and called me ;
brave hoy, and an honor to the Wi!ders
Aunt Mary got out the bOst China, and pet
red mo like grown up baby; but Jenn!
danced before ne, ridiculins my newly
acdged beard, calling every pet hair ha'
been assiduously cultiyatins for the past few
months, in-lesthers'-vowcd hadn't grad
uated, but had been expelled, and hoped
WASH, going to stop at Bcechwood long, FOL
she'd invited her dear friend, Seraphino Love
to pass the summer months with her, and
would only prove torment and bothera
tiOn.
"Seraphino Love came-a tall, tallow
candle, setimental damsel, with stiff curls
light blue eyes, lackadaisical, moonstruck
air. There was no similarity between hei
and Jenny; and I fell to wondering about
their mutual liking, and soon discovered the
cause. Seraphine Love wrote poetry, rhyme
and levellcd her Parnassian darts against
those Jenny disliked-this was the secret
She had been sent for to do up cousin Ned
in verse: /: and various were the sonnets
accrnstics and lampoons with which was
favored. They greeted me everywhere! On
my chamber table, in my portfolios, between
the covers OF my Greek Lexicon, even in the
pockets of my dressing gown l found them
In no place was safe.
"Had been particularly sensitive, | mus
have been driven from the field; but | with
stood them. Besides, there was reason, othel
than any resolve to seem indifferent. U
late, thought had detected beneath Jen
ny's gaiety, an under current OF feeling
sometimes, looking up suddenly, 1 caught
the glance of two blue eyes-and though
speedily withdrawn could ayc.yowed that
glance had something earnest almost tender
in it, quite belying her sauciness Of words OIL
manner. Was it possible that Jenny wat
playing par,'-that she had been caught
in her own snare?
"The thought emboldened me; and ont
moonlight evening coming upon her suddenly
sitting in an unwonted mood in the garden,
found myself actually saying sentimental
speeches with my arm about Jennys waist.
1.-The vixen She heard me through, smoth
cred II laugh in her handkerchief, slyly pick
cd with pin the hand had thrown arount
her, slapped my check smartly, and then dis
appeared through the low French window
opening into the back parlor. Scarce thre'
minutes after, going up stairs, heard hei
recouuting to Seraphine Love, between hel
gusts of laughte,, that cousin Ned had ac
tually been quoting Tom Moore, and making
love to l,er alter the most approved fashion.
"Well that was drop too mnch-anC
with my face still tingling under the blow
she had given, and my heart smart'ns sorc'
with wounded pride, on the impulse OF the
moment, pushed open the door OF thei'
room. The two girls sat at window in
the moonlight went up close to Jenny.
"Miss " ilder," said, (and Phil, | mus
have fairly got into the beroics' for she wilt
ed under my eye, and sunk down in her scat)
--"Miss Wilder, this hand you have wound
ed you shall one day accept-and my cheek
you shall touch with your lips. A kris for
blow. you know" and left her.
A sound smote on my ear ns | shut the
door behind me but whether laughter ol
sob, know not. / went straight to my
room, packed my trunks, found uncle Dics
in his library. and took my resolve, and be
fore Jenny and her dear friend had made
their appearance next morning, | was mile
away from Beechwood.
"ln three years had gained my profession
and during that time. had never once visited
home. Letters. many and kind, came frou
Unsle Dick and Aunt Mary, hut never Q
word from Jenny. heard OF her often a
a belle, a beauty. and tlrt-since she inva
riably rejected all serious wooers. That lat
ter item pleased me strangely; and straight
way fell into becoming the devoted cavalier
of Kate Drew. a dashing belle, whose father
counted his property by thousands, and il
my letters home, I was always careful t.
speak of Miss Drew, the beautiful heiress. ;
Urgent invitations came from BeechwooC
to revisit the old place; but put them Of
"Bu.iness before pleasure" l urged in re
turn.
.Coke and Blackstone, and-Kate Drew
detained me-" so wrote Uncle Dick. FL
pdsednt, let me mention, Phil, that Kate wa
engaged to an old college mate Of mine, Il
Italy the last two years, and you will per
eeive the drift Of our plans.