Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-13

piness by marrying dssipated man.
assured him that I had abandoned my. y.old
habits and was leading a new life, but it was
in vain the old man would not believe me, and
our interview ended in quarrel and my being
forbidden his house. had certainly made a
bad beginning, but | was by no means dlscour-
aged. l had not said anything TO Jenny about
the state of my feelings, and determined to do
so at once. had an engagement to meet her
at friends and accompany her home that
evening. During the walk, l addressed her
and was accepted. told her all that had pass
ed between her father and myself, and she, dear
girl, was indignant at her fathers course. 1t
was plain that could not visit herat home as us
ua', and we set to work to devise plan for our
future meetings. The Major was regular at
tendant upon the Wednesday night prayer
meetings of his church, and was generally alb
sent about two hours Besides meeting at the
houses of our friends, we agreed that should
visi. her at home while her father was absent
at prayer meeting.
This plan worked admirably for while, but,
like everything human, broke down at last
One night Jenny and | were cozily chatting in
the parlor, when we heard the rattle of latch
KEY in the front door, Jenny sprang up in
alarm
"Theres papaw she exclaimed :" what shall
we do? You can't get through the back way
and he is at the front door"
Ny first impulse was to rush by the Major,
and upset him if he got in my way but mo-
ment's reflection convinced me that this would
never do, and just then heard the front door
closed and locked. Ny resolution was taken
in moment.
"Open the parlor door," said to Jenny, in
a whisper, and do nothing to arouse his sus-
picion."
Jenny opened the door, and l placed myself
behind it. As did SO, the Major entered the
room. | trembled in every joint; if he should
shut the door | should be discovered. / had
not thought of this when selected my place
of concealment.
"Shut the door, Jenny" said the Major, as
he came in.
40 no, papaw she exclaimed, hurriedly,
1t's so warm in here that want the air; and
she pushed the door back so far that she nearly
crushed me.
WARM said the old man, sharply
Warm! You must me dreaming. 1t is freez
ing out of doors"
I'm gone, / thought, and | prepared my
self for scufle.
"However," saidthe Major, ait may be warm
here for you have a terrible fire in that stove.
You NAV leave the door Open"
A load was taken from my mind. The old
man sat in the parlor for at least half an hour,
and that time he devoted to abusing me, and
telling Jenny about my impudence in wanting
to marry her. Sometimes | was indignant at
the injustice Of his remarksEbut as general
thing could scarcely restral1 my laughter
Nv position was trying one. was compell
ed to get up as close to the wall as possible In
order to avoid attracting the Majors attention,
and to breathe as lightly as could. The cold
draught which came in through the crack OF
the door produced constant inclination to
cough and was in mortal dread lest should
yield to it and betray myself. The half hour
seemed to me like thirty years instead of SO
many minutes. and was elated beyond des-
cripton when at last saw the old man get up
and leave the room. As he went onthe closed
the door after him, and .as we heard him as
cending the stairs, to his chamber, Jenny and
broke into hearty laugh
"You are safe forthe present" she said, but
you must goaway at once. twill not be pru-
dent to let you cut at the front door, as papa
will hear us, so you must go out at the win
dow"
The window was raised softly, and giving
Jenny kiss, sprang out of it. | had scarcely
touched the ground wheIi | was seized by the
collar. and rough voice demanded to know
why had left the house in that way. Look
ing up found myself in the hands of a watch
man. While | was hesitating what to say,
Jenny, who had heard the question, said TO
the watchman:
Its all right, policeman the front door
key has been misplaced, and the gentleman had
to leave the house through the window"
"Who are you p asked the watchman.
g am Miss Shorter" she replied, &" and the
gentleman is Mr.. Sturgis, friend of my ia
ther"
"If you sey so, Miss, suppose it's all right"
said the watchman releasing me, but, he
muttered, as he turned away, "it's very queer
to do business in that style"
The next morning before left my office, ]
received visit from Major Shorter, Declining
my offer of seat. the old man came up in front
Of my desk, and looking me straight. in the
face, said, sharply:
Richard Sturgis. YOU were at my house last
night I'm sorry did not know it, for would
have given you the punishment your impu-
dence deserved"
| began tc explain the matter, but he cut me
short
"Never mind" he said, otis over now, and
it can't be helped Don't try it again, for
warn you shall be on the watch"
He turned abruptly and left me. Icertainly
felt rather sheepish, but determined not to be
outdone was determined tn marry Jenny,
and be was resoly bat should not, and from
all appearances the struggle bade fair to be a
hard one.
For several days did my best to get a mes
sage to Jenny, but failed. At last | bit upon
a. plan of communication. Major Shorter's
house was built directly on the street, and as
he had forbidden me to darken his doors, re-
solved to make use of his windows, which, as
somebody justly remarks, " are just as good as
doors, provided they have no nails in Il EN- to
tear your breeches." On thenextSunday MI h.
| stationed myself in the shadow of the door.
way of the church, and as Jenny came by. ac-