The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-03-14
ROSEBUDS AND G ERANIUMS.
by MATTE FIREMAN.
CHAPTER |.


... CHAPTER |.
A summer sunset; u silyer-gra,
cloud floating in the west, its feath
cry edge tipped with scarlet.
A merry groupe upon u greer
lawn; an old farm house in the bach
grounds, and a noisy stream laugh
ing through the trees in the dis
tance. .. ...
The home of Agnes Wilmot, the
petted, village belle; the game was
croquet.
"The bet was fairly won," shouted
Agnes, laughing.
"Im not suro of that" retorted
Dermot, a young swell from the
city. "You put us out with youl
eyes. A fellow couldn't be expect
ed to play well with so much bril-
liancy flashing about him. A man
fighting d duel never likes to be
placed facing the sum-"
"Hear, hear" shouted a half dozen
girls, clapping their hands.
"Ill tell you what it is, John, you
want to take lessons now. You'd
get on a deal pleasanter with cousin
Agnes if you were II little more
polished. Don't you SEQ how it is
done?" And little Kitty laughed
provokingly as she turned away,
Awkward John clenched his great
fist, and set his teeth hard, ant
thought some very wicked thoughts
He felt longing to make u pair O
blue eyes black; to punch, in regu.
lar pugilistic style, q certain heaC
covered with blonde hair. He looked
sueeriugly at white jeweled hand
stroking a mustache, curled a Ii
mode, and flung back his own brist
ling hair in hercer manner thar
ever. He would make himself a.
unlike u jack -a-napes, he said, as
possible. He was proud of his hare
hands; prouder, too, when he re-
membercd the work they had done
for Agnes.
Yes, he had rowed on the river
he had made her grapevine swings
he had taken her to school on his
sled; and he had supposed that it
had always been understood that
Agnes was to be his wife.
1t was all over with now, though.
She had eyes for no one but this
idiot from the city. She scarcely
looked at him; and he had always
been so fond of her. And John
went into the summer-house to shed
u few uncorollable tears by himself
In the morning he had taken to
her some fresh rosebuds for hel
hair. She had taken them careless
ly, merely bowling "thank YOU
and moment after had biushed
crimson, when Dermot offered hel
a bunch of geraniums.
He should always hate geraniums
he said, fitting himself as fast a'
possible to his new character. Ht
hated rosebuds, too. In fact, there
was very little left in this world
that he didn't hate. ; VI
"Oh!" .gasped some one quickly
at the door. l.E 81
John jumped up. 1t was Agnes
Ju,t the opportunity he'd been
longing for. Z. li!,t .
The girl tried to escape, but he
caught her by the wrist and drew
her in. He held her 'forcely, and
the tears came into her eyes, before
he would relinquish his hold.
"Aren't you ashamed, john
Look at my arm, nearly crushed.
You great, rude fellow"
81 know Tn pretty good size,
Agnes" said John, Strengthening
himself, "and for that reason | love
YOU all the better. I'm not q dap
per little dandy-that's sure"
You're the most ridiculo us
creature. Dear me, l haven't a
minutes peaco-not q single
minutes; do you hear, sir?' And
the beauty stamped her foot.
cam Iso hateful to you, Agnes?
"Hateful! who said you were
hateful? You are troublesome,
am not permitted to treat my gues'
courteously." .I7I.
"Oh! Agnes" - - s.
"No, your absurd jealousy is un
bearable. Every one noticesif, ant
every one is laughing aboutit, too.
"And don'tyou love me a little
Agnes"
ooh, I like you well enough
john" ": d.
"Dear me, won't you never have
done with that. I'm tired of it
I'm promised to you, you say, anc
T should think that would be quite
enough. You are sure 1 will have
to have you"
"No Agnes" said John, chang
inc color and holding with hil
great strong arm, to the side OF th'
summer-house, %he 20 isno haze 10
about Il. Ifyou don't love me, o,