The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-03-18
Misrrllanp.
ALMOST AN ELOPEMENT.
by EDWIN BALLARD.

day in every four years. In Us We gave net
surprise party. Very ingenious was the plan
plished. John called on an GRAND and si'er
staying five or ten minutes took his hat and an
nounced his intention of departing. Carrie ac-
comp iuisi him to the door of course; and after
little conversation during which We were
creeping in the back way on tipfoe) John sA;o
''Goodnight' in his peculiar way,-is so1nas
like kiss generaly-and departed. W men Gar
rie closed the door. she discovered that the en-
try light had been extIAguished. On this &C.
count she had 10 make her way up stairs by
guess, it being decidedly dark. She progressed
Yery SLOWLY in consequence, and on the upper
stair stumbled and nearly fell.
ooh. dear. I do wonder VII, put that light
out" she exclaimed pettishly. Size now opened
the door, and upon entering, the first person she
beheld WAS John again, who Immediately took
pains to inform her-in his peculiar way again
that it wasn't he who affected the gas down be-
low. To her intense amazement Carrie saw the
room filled with her school companions and
friends.
John the deceiver had made the entrance
through the upper windows by means of a lad
der, while Carrie WAS coming up stairs. Oar
heroine naturally remarked they always doN
80, my Where did you all come from I" aid
sank back into a chair, out of breath. Master
John now "speechifed," and presented Miss
Carrie with pretty gold watch and chain. las
mark Of profound admiration for her many
good qualities and slight token Of the regard
of the company present" Carrie was then called
upon to make q speech in return, and chair
was placed beside the table, by means of which
she was assisted towards taking the floor" or
more properly speaking, "the table She said a
few quiet, apprecistivs words and then the fun
commenced.
All ssrprise parties are similar in their gene.
raj programme, and as all of you have attended
at least dozen, will not tire you with an &C.
count of the games, forfeits, ETC., usually nu.
nerous on such occasions, and by no means
wanting in this.
Will was a newcomer in town, and therefore
stranger to the majority present at the before.
mentioned party. He had conceived quite an
admiration for certain Miss Mattie,-Carrie's
bosom friend-and fully resolved the first oppor.
tunity to evince it in the old romantic way 80
popular with ancient cavalers-a serenade.
On Monday evening when Matties parents
were out of town and not expected home until
next day, Matte invited Carrie and John to
spend the evening with her.
1t was nearly 10 o'clock when Carrie was pass.
ing through the front parlor, heard the strains
of guitar. She listened. Soon a mans voice
was heard singing, Awake my love, sing to
thee"
There happened to be no rooms lighted up In
were in the library. Carrie enioined silence,
and led the way TO the parlor windsw Matte
peeped out at one side of the curtain, and John
followed suit at the other.
Its will He's come 20 serenade you, Nat.
tie he laughed, after survey of the nocturnal
visitor.
$50 'tis Now for some fun. You Just keep
still and WATCH" cried Carrie. Up stairs she
trippei to her chamber, asd throwing a sheet
around her, raised the window and peeped
through the blind
Will had then finished his song. and seeing
that he was appreciated, performed a short in.
terlude upon his guitar and commenced, "See
the stars So brightly shining
In response to this invitation. Carrie opened
the shutter aud thrustug her head developed in
anight-cap) out of the window, calmly survey.
Ing the starry heavens, plainly perceived the
stars alluded to.
Will seemed rather surprised at this uuex.
pectea proceeding, but not having obtained any
verbal reply to his song, he thought of the max.
i'm, 'lf first You don't succeed, try, try again"
etc, and essayed once more. This time he com.
menced, Come live with me and be nay love-"
Before he had finished the last stanza, Miss Car.
RE had vanished from the window, but soon re-.
appeared at the door Attired in an old bonnet
and dilapidated shawl.
II came just as quick as I could, and didn't
have time to dress very nice but I've got my
best dress and clsak in this bundle It's so
heavy I'll have to let you carry it for me-
"What do don't understand--where are
you goingE asked will, appearing slightly con-
fused at this sudden action.
"You asked me to come, so I've come to live
with you"
"lt-l-you-must be mistaken"
''Of course, I'm not was sound asleep when
you told to me awake for YOU was singing to
me, so | awaked. Then you told me to look at
the stars and looked at EN-, then you wanted
me to come and live with you, aud so I'm here
TO make love 10 YOU. as well al | can. I'm real
glad its you, Tor think | shall like you great
deal better than | would Mr.. Smith, or Mr.
Brown. or Mr.. Jones' and they never came and
sang to me either, Pa said when l waited to
get married he'd pick up husband for me- but
l don't believe he would be bit better than
you, lie might be prettier, and perhaps a little
larger, but guess I'd W lief have you rs any Of
EN-"
Poor Will WAS perfectly amazed. He tried to
interrupt two or three times, but he couldn't
get word in edgeways even.
You came ust the ri ght time too" continued
Carrie "tur mother has gone away, and heard
father snoring when l came down stairs 80 |
don't think he'll wake uu--he might thoush.-sp
we had better run as fast "a can. Take the
bundle dear"
Excuse the, Miss -"
"Ot well come along, en- carry 1t myself il
you're proud. There's iyht in SPUR. John.
sons window. Hes Ja.,ice Of the Peace here
and he'll marry anybody tor five dollars"
"l3ut | must Inform YOU, M,.- -"
"Oh, now, don't fre'. II yos h,v.t got money
enough, III lend you some. Have you got the