Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-10-20
Miseellancous.
The Elopement

Anpic. AIN NJ NV Wis END
shall go ra, ing distracted = cried Helen
Chapman. with serio-comic expires.
sion Of despair. The way those two
90 on is perfectly ridiculous What
will he the end OF it all don't know
We'll. I'll inform you. then-an
elopement one of these fine DAYS
oh. Annie. you are not in earnest =
exclaimed Helen. suddenly becoming
preter-naturally grave. How could
they They wouldn't dare. Why, Min
MES only a child
Very true the best reason in the
world for expecting her to elope. Peo-
pie don't do that, YOU know, when they
are old enough to know better. Fifteen
l. just the age for such nonsense
You don't know how YOU frightcn
me. If she should marry him, she'd
never be happy SO long AS she lived.
But what can do: He's been here al
most every day during your visit, hasn't I
he: And Minnie, romantic little goose.
evidently fancies she's desperately in
love with him-that little headed,
weak-eyed specimen ofhumanity
But it is not so very strange, Helen,
after all. You must confess that he
has a pretty face and recites poetry
beautifully said Annie with a sly
twinkle of the eye.
Then they must be almost WON vut
by this time laughed Annie.
But you don't know ho~ anxious
Your words have made me. This is no
laughing matter. These two goslings
Such children They are just romantic
enough to clope. Oh, what trust i,
is-the sole care of a young sister! l
remember how, few days before dear
mothers death, she laid her thin white
hand on M;nnie's curly head (the lit
tie thing was SIX years old then and
said, Take care of her, dear Helen
watch over her as should. | was on.
ly twclve-a mere child myself; but
] accepted the trust and have never
forgotten it,
Don't look so distressed, dear,
said Annie. or shall be almost sorry
that I've said what l have
mol you needn't be sorry, for ]
shall keep my eyes open now-that is
all | can do
why don't you have serious talk
with Minnie?'
Have serious talk! Why, I've had
a dozen already, but they. do more
harm than good. The more l say, the
more defiantly she stands up for him
and the more tender she is toward him
the next time they meet. That's hu'
man nature, you know. She says !
and Helen looked AS if she scarcely
knew whether " laugh or cry.
You might forbid him the house,
suggested Annie, after pause.
NO, indeed, couldn't do worse
Don't you see that would only hasteI
the catastrophe! No, discretion is the
better part of valor, assure YOU
We'll, what do you intend to dc
them
'Nothing-but watch and wait, as
have been doing. Will you not helI
me!'
Help you what! Wait or watch?
Now don't laugh. l never was mort
serious in my life. We must hear every
word-watch every look that passe.
between those two. Poor foolish little
sister, Then suddenly relapsing from
the pitying into the indignant, Il coulC
shake her!'
A few days after this conversation
Helen mysteriously beckoned hel
friend into the garden.
We'll, said Annie, As the door clos
ed behind, what il on the tapis now
What has put you into such . state o
excitement! Your eyes are like stars
and your checks are Is red as thes,
roses
NO! Do look - il had anything
on my mindT inquired Helen anxious
ly. I've been trying to appear ~ un
concerned IS possible. But after all,
sne added, musingly. 1T doesn't mat
ter much. She would hardly notice i
in her present state Of mind
who? What! Come, out with it
Don't you see I'm dying Of impa
tience!
Lend me your ears!' cried Helen
with tragic air, I've something Of th
gravest nature to communicate
Then, after . solemn pause, sh
said in . stage whisper, opening be
eyes very wide, Il am going to elope'
Annie's expression OF open .mouthe'
astonishment was 20 ludicrous tha
Helen involuntarily broke into . merr.
laugh k
What do yoa mean by saying suc
an absurd thingT cried Annie, lookinI
little relieved. G =
Exactly what I say,' returned be
friend, assuming her Dsrsxpressio
Of mysterious gravity. 4 sIops thi
night at halfpass niss. prscissly. ~