Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-12-19

Messiah" and he read the names Of the
singers and the other particulars with in.
terest. Nothing could exceed his love of
oratorio music,
AT the supper-table he sat beside Miss
Coy, and learned from her that she had
several errands to call her out that even.
Ing, but was in fear of being disappointed
in her desire to perform them, as it had
begun to snow.
THAT need make no difference" said
John, endeavorlng to look unconcernedly
at plate of toast before them. "I am
going out again, and have very large
umbrella, and If you are not afraid of
getting wet, | should be glad to accom-
pany you"
1t was not very elaborate or artistic
invitation, but Miss Coy seemed deli ight-
ed with 1t, and soon after supper was
seen by several of the boarders essaying
from the front door steps with her nit
tened hand on Mr., Marrowprat's arm.
Now John was anything but ladies'
man. He was somewhat awkward in
their presence, and was painfully CON
scious of the fact; and very frequently
he got tongue-tied. But when Miss Coy
told him that the object of her excursion
was the purchase Of some trifles for her
sisters children, whose hearts would be
broken if Aunt Annie neglected them on
the morrow, John became forgetful of
himself, and was soon peering in at win
dows with a beaming face end max
ing suggestions regarding the purchases,
and went so far as to buy squeaking
dog with pink eyes and woolly tail for
his landlady's little boy. Long before
they got to this point, however, they had
become quite communicative.
81 should think" said John, placing
the umbrella so as to more effectually
protect his companion from the storm,
"that you'd find it very tiresome teaching
school,"
ooh, sometimes l do. But there are
many pleasures that compensate for the
fatigue" was the cheerful reply. 81 for
get all about myself in Watching the
children's faces. There's nothing so
pleasant to look at as a child's face"
"Thats So" said John, at makes us
feel young again. That is" he instantly
added, conscious of a blunder, "such as
are old"
"Im sure you don't call yourself DID,"
responded Miss Coy, in tone strongly
deprecating such a conclusion.
"Yes, l do" said John, in all SINGER
ity; "I'm getting along fast At least,
feel so. Perhaps it is owing to my soli-
tary way of living, perhaps not. I don't
know" There was such yearning for
sympathy expressed in his voice that the
bright look that Miss Coy habitually wore
faded for moment, and one of kind con.
cern took its place. But it came back
almost Immediately, and her increased
vivacity was an evidence of her desire to
dispel the sadness that had fallen upon
him. And she was very successful.
The snow, which had begun to fall
early in the evening, had given place to
rain that froZe as soon as it reached the
earth and covered the walks with an icy
coating exceedingly dangerous to pedes-
trians. Mr.. Marrowprat, with the brown
paper parcels containing their purchases
in one hand, and the wind-tossed umbrel-
la in the other, found considerable diff
Guilty in supporting his fair companion,
Twice she slipped, and twice, with his
assistance, laughingly recovered herself
BY and by, one of the bundles fell; and,
in STOPPING to pick it up, John felt his
feet fly from under him, and notwith-
standing a convulsive catch at the air,
down he went heavily, and something
snapped. In attempting to rise he found
that he had in some manner injured his
left foot, for he could bear no weight
upon it.
I'm afraid that I've sprained my
ankle, Miss Coy" he said, endeavoring
to limp along. "How unfortunate!' !'
ooh! | hope not" she answered in
flutter; 81 let me take the packages-lean
on me-"
John looked ut tho little figure beside
him and smiled but he gave her the
bundles nevertheless, and attempted to
proceed.
can't get on, he said, with groan.
Dear me ~ cried Miss Coy, "what can
l do for your"
"Hurt? sententiously inquired DO.
liceman who had witnessed the accident.
Yes" said John. "Get a carriage,
will you?"
He leaned against a convenient railing
and awaited its arrival, endeavoring to
avoid any expression of the pain that grew
more intense every moment. He still gal
lantly held the umbrella over Miss Gov,
whose anxiety was great. When the
officer helped him in, and as he was about
to perform the same service for Miss Gov
he said bluntly: YOU'D better get doc
tor TO him as soon as you can, for in my
humble opinion he's got a broken leg. l
heard it snap"
Miss Coy got into the coach in an ex.
cited condition of mind, and the vehicle
rolled away. In a short time it drew up
before Mrs. Windle's, and with the as
sistance of the stout and sympathetic
hackman John was taken in and placed
upon his bed, where he was soon sur
rounded by his landlady and such of the
boarders as happened to be at home,
When the doctor came he sent them all
out of the room, however, and soon de.
clared that Mr.. Marrowprat had sustained
very ugly fracture of the leg.
Mr.. Johnson, a fellow-boarder, remain
ed with him that night, but in the morn.
ing left him to fulfill an engagement,
After breakfast there was the most timid
knock on the door imaginable, and in
answer to his invitation Miss Coy came
softly in. There was no denying the fact
that he was glad to see her pleasant face
and to listen to her greeting of "Merry
Christmas" for his face frightened and
his restlessness ceased.
"It's all but merry Christmas to me-"
said John.
"It's all for the best" she answered,
although Pm afraid that was the cause
of it."
mo, nom responded John earnestly.
81 was going out any way" And there
flashed across his mind the long columns
of forgotten figures that had worried him
so, and which he had promised Mr.. Lick
penny to care for on the preceding even
ing. he was wondering what Mr.. Lick
penny would say, when his visitor asked
him if she could not write to some of his
relatives for him.
II have none to write to-" he answered,
sadly.
"Your friends, then" she hastily added.
Nor friends" said John.
She remembered the sad tone that their
conversation of the night before had
taken, and was turning away with tears
in her eyes when John said:
"Would you kindly write little note
for me to Mr.. Lickpenny?"
She gladly certified her willingness,
but had scarcely prepared the materials
when they were interrupted by knock
at the door, which, opening, disclosed the
figure of Mr.. Lickpanny himself.
you Sp
Aa hn ,,I Al, I