The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1868-07-31
The DISGUISED Damsel.

\ NCnarleS CnarleS! you won I lOr
get to meet my Aunt Stephanie a
the depot, at twelve precisely"
Mrs. Early had followed her tai
brother-in-l law to the front door steps
with the fresh wind blowing her
bright hair about her face. and q
scarlet Shetland shawl drawn pictu-
luresquely round her delio ate shoul-
ders-apretty woman with something
of matronIy dignity subduing the
arch mischief that sparkled in hel
merry eyes.
MIR. Charles Early was a stalwart
handsome young man, with blue eyes
and light brown hair shadowing Q
fair, open forehead. 1t was q pleas.
ant face to look into. with nothing OF
irresolution or effeminacy about it,
and consequently Charles Early had
many friends,-aye, and loyal ones,
too.
He turned around at the sound of
his sister-in-law's voice. Josephine
was one OF his most useful and con-
slant allies. - A. "a 8
"No, I'll not forget. Josephine,
bat Pm sorry her godtathers and
godmothers in baptism gave her the
name of Stephanie.' 49, e.. - -s-
A"Why7'
"Because i know a Stephanie; the
prettiest fairy you ever saw! 1Nwas
when we were all at WOolgrove
Beech, last month-and-if you'll
promise not to tell my sober brother
Bob, I'll confide to you momentous
secret, Josephine. Have l your
pledge of secrecy p ..ss -
81 promise.n az ii .s.s 30
Well, then, 1 lost my heart to that
beautiful little Stephanie, with her
fiossy yellow curls, and her rose
mouth with its tiny pearls of teeth,
and her pink and white complexion,
Just like your great oleander in the
drawing-room." .,...-....s..
"Did you propose to her, Charlie?'
questioned his sister -in-law, with all
the eager earnestness of woman's
curiosity.
aNot just then, but-another se-
cret, Josephine proposed by let
ter, day before yesterday 2'2 T 81
sand you have received no an
swer YETI"
"Not yet; I suppose it is too soon;
but I'm on thorns and nettles until
one does reach me. Josephine, ifshe
don't have me, I'll drown myself"
"No, Charles, you won't! What
absurd nonsense"
"Then I'll do worse; I'll subside
into a cross grained, fidgety old
bachelor, gIumbling necessarily at
Everything and everybody, for all the
rest Of my natural life just see if ]
don't"
"Charles, you're a goose ?"
$50 are all young men who have
the misfortune to be in love. Its
their normal condition. What time
do you say the train arrives :
Twelve i shall have to get car
riage, suppose, to transfer the
rheumaticy old lady here, without
any breakage Of bones. Does she
walk with a gold, headed cane ~
| Eyes, and she wears q wig and
Ispectacles, and talks through her nos,
and takes snuff from tortoise-shel
Iboxw
sAngels aud ministers of grac'
defend us! Josephine, how did yo'
. ever come to lave such an aunt? ant
lhow did her name happen to be Ste
phanie, instead of Dorcas, or Try
phosa?"
ave used to can her sAunt Feny
|, ifor short" said Mn. Early, mischiev
ously, and her brother- in law strod
down the street, xhiatling (but no
for lack of thought) as he went.
81 wish Aunt Feny was in the Re,
siSea,'' he thought, little vindictivel.
+ l..but. ] suppose I must oblige Jose
,iphine."
3 elMr. Charles Early stood on the plat
Il form. at the III. Depot, watching th
sIlong train, as it slowly glided in, lik
I 0, a,fire-throated serpent. ft}zuT-y
<There comes your antediluvia
toldl hag, Charlie" ss:I. Guy st. E,
8 Eeril, with a laugh. as a brisk, bu