Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-31

/ wonders OF Jerusalem and SICK moss
to let Did they mean that? Idon't believe
it. Can't be. They are afraid to tell tAe
truth. ought to have gone st thsH1 SIN
! gle. Lucky didn't say loYpa them, or
they'd been pulling hair afors TINS 1 pet
| a bushel of beans to barrel OF apples that
neither of them girls will sleep wink to-
night for thinking of me, and how nigh l
came TO the point. It must be very aggra-
waiting 70 their feelings. But so much the
better. They'll be getting more jealous,
and all they wsnt IS to catch me alone"
| What Joshua was not able to do for him
self the two sisters now did for him, asthey
went on with their beans and apples. Self
esteem was wounded, and each wished to
escape ridicule from the other.
GTho awkward fooll' said Lena ITO
think that cared for himl"
"You love him quite as well as do
oI don't"
"You do, and better. Poohp
"You needn't pooh at ne, or st him
either; for he's coed enough for you if ne
IS awkward"
GHe's too coed for you. And you need
not snesr st him, for he isn't half as awk-
ward as y6usTe.
"That shows you love him But he
wouldn't have you at any rate"
"He wouldn't take up with you, and I
could have him if I said the word"
"You couldn't"
Il could. Pm four years younger than
you, and you're too old"
"Don't you call me old, you jade I'll
pull your hair You're dying TO get mar
riedp
The arrival of their parents, just then,
put an end TO the threatening aspect of
things; but the sisters slept apart that
night, and each resolved the next day she
should do all she.could to get Joshua to pop
the question, just to spite her sister. And
according they detected each other in such
afectionate conversation with Joshua in
the course of the day that a fierce quarrel
ensued, and Joshua finally stoed upsITaight
and declared if they didn't let him alone
he couldn't weed his onions.
Gan wanted TO say is, that you'll never
be happy with her"
'.As happy as he would be with you, Til
be bound"
Joshua now had happy thought,
I'll tell you what Tll do with you two
girls. To stop the quarrel III turn up a
eent-heads for Lena, tails for Fatty !
Best two in three. Willhst satisfy?"
"Well-yes"
He tossed, and Lens won the prize.
~ don't believe she would agree to Il, = !
said tbe Disappointed Fatima.
"Yes; she 'would, too"
"Iou know she wouldn't He is toa !
young"
81 know she would,2 said the confident
Lena that I'll agree 70 what she says,
and go this minute"
And both ran to the house to ask ma.
leaving Joshua IN state cf gTest excite
ment
AI'n in doubt if this IS right he unused
loud. "Suppose ma makes 3 choice. l
might be dissatisfied Idon't want to be
c ,mpsled, The cent says Lena. Sup
pose ma say 3 Fatty That's pulling both
wayE. The cent might be in thsright; but
the cent would haze no voice Suppose
nls Rgrets with the cent, even might be
On the wrong Scent for Lena might not be
the right enc for me TO have, though it
would lfok as if it was ordered. am in q
very great doubti Nov suppose the cent
"You needn't suppose any more, Josh,
mere. said Farmer Daisy, who had Just
5t5PPed from behind barr and overheard
bis agitated soiilo4uy. "KoU can't have
either ot my darters, for at present you're
90. young you're as sbifty as weathercock.
you'll have to wait a spell Of yelrs fust,
that's sartin.
This W8s YieW IF thu -aasl,- -zzsIie Oh a.
hUTtiHgd Joshua hSd never included IN
his list Cf doubts, and it gave him 10 re-
isf when tbs two girls came running to
him t. say that though ma wouldn't have
her daughters tossed up for, she didn't
care which he married
MAKES no odds now, said Joshua
zlo0mify, asince the old msn says can't
have either But cRe thing Pm in no
lo4bt shout ] leave off work here this
lay, and mean 70 go to sea. / nsy take
It into IYy head to be gone two years. But
keep up q good hesIt girls, till come
back 70 take my pick
The girls expressed much grooming grief
at parting with Joshus, and this chesred
biz heart during the whaling voyage with
Captain Surge, who took him to his house
1a his return, and offered him cottage
and his blooming daughter Petrelina-cot-
.age and daughter to go together. But
,shua was in doubt till he could see Lena
nd Fai rs, and If they had worn weii.
30 Ia paid tH8m visit.
- You can't have Fatty, Josh, said Ls-
3, she's engaged"
Then, as yol are true-blue, IL take
rou"
Can't thst neither, for 1 m married
Then you msy both go to thunder, and
III go to the Captains daughter. She's
lean gift, with cottage, too"
Joshus now hastened back to Captain
surge and said ne guessed he would ae-
.ept Petrelina. But Petrelina had been
married. three days before, snd the angry
I'D tar kicked him out for doubtful son
# a sescook.
This efectualiy removed Joshua and all
lis doubts, and planted in their stead a
permanent conviction that the doubts of a
laehelor will save him from many worse
mes.
s-l--ll-5-z.---- |
y l