Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-12-27

he was not very intellectual. She did not
mind that, but used TO fancy that If
ever had lover, l should want him 70
be wise and learned--a maker of books
or a professor In college.
There was not much danger that
lover would come to such plain little
body as was. Sue told me dozen times
a day that was predestined for an old
maid; with my dumpy stature, gray eyes,
and freckles. But even Sue herself
could lay nothing against my hair-it
fine, and stayed wherever l placed It.
Sues own brown braids could not surpass
that; II was my one glory.
She married Will Lindley at last. l
will give the man credit for one thing; he
loved her honestly and fairly, and her
whims and caprices made no difference
with his devotion.
How hard we worked TO get hes suit
able outfit-or one that she considered
suitable. Will made her beautiful pres
ents, and would have bought her every.
thing she needed, IL mother would have al
lowed him. The boys-who were married
and prospering now, gave her some
things; but the brunt OF the expense, and
all the labor, fell to mother and l.
Sue would have everything of the dain-
tiest and incest; so, out of school hours,
Istitched and embroidered, ruffied and
tucked for her, as l would never have
done for myself, while she walked, rode
or sang with Will. But she was so pref
ty and radiant when she stood up to be
married that l forgave and forgot 1t ALL
and mother declared to viii, between her
sobs, that he had taken the flower of the
family.
After while, Will moved away to one
of those little towns depending upon its
water privileges, where they make chairs
and pals, and baskets, and all of those
things. She cried and stormed and de-
clared she would never go-but she did.
Will brought her to his way of thinking,
somehow; we always wondered how, for
We really thought at first she would make
him give up his plans.
But he was well established In business
now, and Sue queened it royalty in the
little country village. She was secretary
of the sewing circle, and chief orator of
the levees and fairs rife in such places
They had no children. Will was indul-
gent; kept her beautifully dressed, and
so Sue was happy In her way.
Then Joe came. He was not at all my
ideal of lover. He was neither learned
nor handsome; he was only Joe. think
liked him first because they all laughed
at me about my bsshful lover. Bashful
he was to be sure, and rather disposed to
be awkward-especially if he chanced to
call when my brothers were there; l be-
lieve he felt they were inclined to laugh
at him.
They were rather displeased at me Just
then, because l had rejected a very good
effer-that is, the man had money
enough, and it would have taken me out
of the school-room, where was just los.
ing the small nodicum of decent looks /
had ever possessed. But l thought /
would rather teach Teddy Flynn and
Bobby Jones their primers all the days
of my life than to marry disagreeablo,
stingy Ned Morrison, even If he threw a
wedge of gold in my lap every day.
SO began to favor Joe, principally to
show nay independence; for when Sue
was not by to put me down, l had a
spicy little temper of my own.
We were married at home in the little
parlor, and they all came to the wedding.
had none of the floating white drape.
ries that had enveloped Sue and eclipsed
Will on their bridal day only had q
plain brown silk-the first silk dress /
ever possessed-my own earning and max
ing. l had white rose off mothers
bush in my hair, and as could easily
stand under Joe's outstretched arm, there
was no danger that he would look
dwarfed beside me.
T. 1t was not much of place where we
commenced housekeeping the rooms
were small, and not great many of
them. did all my own work. washing
included and we ate in the kitchen so
you see we were very humble folk in
deed. Sue used to rather scorn my fur
niture and surroundings when she sailed
in upon us, as she did at least once a year,
for good long visit. Ialways pretended
l wanted nothing better, but in my heart
of hearts knew did.
possessed one treasure Sue did not
my fair-haired boy, whom strangers stop
ped to admire for his pearly skin and
blue eyes" Too lovely for boy" as
every one said. But tonight l think /
was hardly glad even for Eddie for Sue
had come again for one her lengthy visits,
dashing in upon me that morning wien /
was in the midst of my baking.
She rehearsed all the new things Will
had bought her lately, ending with his
promise, if his venture proved success
full, to buy her a diamond ring, and bring
it down when he came tomorrow night.
owned just one ring that Joe had
given me but it was only an onyx with
dark background, the white upper layer
being cut into forget-me.not. Sue al,
ways called it contemptuously an "old
maids pink" Then she gave Eddie a
lapful Of candy and new picture book ;
informed me that my eyes were as red as
ferrets with STOPPING over the oven
asked me why in the world didn't buy
a sitting-room carpet, and departed.
had known she was coming, to be
sure, and 1t had been settled long before
that we were to spend that evening at
mothers, but, nevertheless, her visit had
somewhat disturbed me, and / had felt
vexed and worried all day over it.
suppose that was one reason had broken
down so easily tonight.
The carpet was certainly old and faded,
for we had lived on it ever since we were
married, and 1t had not been anything to
boast of in the first place. The alpaca ]
had worked over so long would cut a
sorry figure by the side of Sues brown
poplin walking suit, and velvet psletot OF
the same color, surmounted by a pretty
turban with pheasant's wing. My soli-
tary wrap was plaid shawl, decidedly
more useful than ornamental; and my
hat was fabrication of my own. Any
body might have guessed that by looking
at 1t; and the feather was 30 small and
''scrimpy" that could not give it styl-
ish twist, turn it as might. had liked
it well enough at first, and Jee thought it
a marvel, but hated it now.
l had finished my mending, and as l
laid Eddie's striped stockings on top of
tine pile, l thought how Susie could come
and go as she liked, with no little tod
dler to hinder her footsteps. 1 had moth
ing to sit up for after my mending was
done, 80 went to bed and tell into an un.
easy slumber.
Some time in the night 1 was awaken.
ed by hoarse shouting, mingled with the
sound of running to and fro. listened
moment and knew what it was-some-
thing had happened up the road, and, of
| course, to Joe's train.
sprang out of bed, into slippers and
wrapper, and ran to the back door.
threw 1t wide open, ran down the walk a
little way, and listened. could hear the
tumble of the derrick car, the setting OF
switches, and catch an occasional word,