Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-08-03

DE TetuTneQ my STeeIlpSs dnd bOOk Iu0
chair to which pointed. He sat there tor
at least five minutes, regarding me with a
Hxedness that made me feel Uncomfortable
When he had finished his inspection he
eplaced his stick in front of him, and lean
ejngshis chin on it, looked at me steadily,
dand said in an abrupt manner traiEai9
.'ls 9ss ',]Richari Sturgis, J. have called this
morning on a matter which is unpleasant
80 me, and which we had better settle at
l6hee, Tell me frankly what is your mo-
/: tive in visiting my daughter SO frequent
xsbs"To be frank,,with you, Major Shorter
I replied boldly, Il am very anxious to
make fbermy wife, 20 ,e .yai
-,iss..Humph!p muttered the old man, short
sely,ssI thought so. 1 suppose you Intended
to speak TO me about this matter? Z? le5iU5
10 81 did, sir, but not for some time YETI
oal well, then, you may save yourself any
further trouble about it, for I'll give you
my answer now. az You can't have her" Be
sH9.I roseito my feet in astonishment." 20.
= 81 suspected your motives" continued
Major Shorter, .fand L thought it best to
come here and letyou understand the mat
tier before tits too late. / love my daugh-
ter Mr.. ,Sturgis, and / have no idea of see
ing her ruin her happiness by marrying a
;zs I assured him that l had abandoned my
oeld habits and was leading new life, but
1T was in vain; the old man would not be-
hfieve me, and our Interview ended in a
quarrel and my; being forbidden his house.
1had certainly made a bad beginning, but
Twas by no means discouraged. had not
said anything to Jenny about the state OF
my feelings, and determined to do so at
sonce. Idhad an engagement to meet her
fat 4 friends and accompany her home that
evening" During the walk, addressed
lher and was accepted. told her all that
had passed between her father and myself,
and she, dear girl,-w indignant at her
-fsther's cgurs es lt was plain that I7couid
not visit her at home assusual, and we set
to work to devise a plan for future meet
ings. The major was regular attendant
upon the Wednesday night prayer meet
ings of bis church, and was generally
absent about two hours. Besides meetin g
at the houses of our friends, we agreed
that shouIdVisft her at home while her
father was absent at,prayer meeting.
This plan worked admirably for while,
at last.afO One nightJenny and were cozily
chatting in the parlor, when we heard the
rattle of a iatchIkey In the front door.
Jenny sprang up in alarm. ..-77 -,.. -,
''There's papa ~ she exclaimed; s'what
shall we do You can't get through the
back way, and he at the front door. 10 fsit
My first impulse was to rush by the ma
y
but almomeut's1 reflection, convinced me
thatsthis would never do, and just then
heard the front door closed and locked
My resolution was; taken in a moment.
sOpen, the parIor door," / said to Jenny,
In whisper, land do nothing to arouse
his suspicion"
Jenny opened the door, and placed my
elfIbehind it,. AS did SO, the major en-
ttered the room. ID trembled in every joint;
If he should shut the door should be dis
c0vered. i had not thought of this when
selected my place OF concealment. +.
a. s.Shut the door, Jenny" said the major
as he came in. 54s,ia.. ,t.il,e.p .s,ov5
ssits-so warm in here thaCI want the lair,''
and she pushed the door back so far that
she, nearly crushed me. ,-s,., f.7.r-
~ Warm y said the, old man. siarpIy
'sWarni You nnusthbe dreaming 1t is
freezing out of DOORS ,.- -,
i I,'Hm gone,p thought, and 1 prepared
myself for a scuffie.is eai - o. = s.rssts7
s1sssH0weve said the major, ..it may be
warm here, you have terrible fire in that
stove. You may leave the door open.nat
-&foad was taken frommy mind. The old
man sat ia the sparlor for at least half an
hour, and that time he devoted to abusing
me, and telling Jenny about nv impudenct
in wanting to marry her. Sometimes
was Indignant at the injustice of his re-
-AlIdE AcS Uubs -do ID kCACLdl OOoiO
scarcely restrain my laughter. My posi-
ton was q trying one, was compelled tc
get,up. ias.elOse to the wall as possible In
order to avoid attracting the Majors at
tentioD, and foibreafhe aslightly as could
.TheIcold draught which came i'm through
the crack of the door produced arcopstani
inclination to cough, and Twas in mortal
dread lest l should yield to it and betray
myself. The half hour seemed to me like
thirty yearsiHstead of So many minutes,
and ISWasoelated beyond description whe