Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-05-21

But which one shall take, father ?"'
(Which one shall you take ?. repeat
ed Peter Jansen it must be a bright
man, surely. that cannot decide at sight
what women to pick out of dozen, and
a singular youth you are not to have
your eye on one already. However,
make your own choice, and you'll be
happier, live longer, and prosper better
in your domestic affairs generally"
With these concluding remarks the
fond father turned away, and John was
left alone to his reflections.
Now, John Jansen was not verdant
young man he had seen considerable
of the world for person of his age and
circumstances, but he vas very diffident
and bashful. 1t was this quality of his
disposition that made him so adverse to
ladies' society, and had occasioned no
little anxiety to old Peter, who had
already begun to fear that John would
be confirmed bachelor, hence his de-
sire to kindly assist Johns matrimonial
mattersalong
For some moments after his fathers
exit, John sat profoundly thinking he
believed he did have an inexpressible
sort of tenderness for the youngest
daughter of Israel Ives. If not strictly
beautiful, she was at least very sensi-
BILE girl, and would make practical
housekeeper. John had but little
sentiment in his composition; his
tastes were more matter-of-fact The
more John thought of matrimony, the
more fixed became his determination of
committing himself as soon as possible.
A night or two subsequent to the con-
versation with his father, it was noticed
that he attired himself with unusual
care before going out. as he insisted, to
attend the debating society" His
father and mother regarded each other
significantly, as if they well understood
what was uppermost in Johns mind,
but they gave the young man no init
nation that they suspected his inten-
tons.
After last lingering look at the look
ing-glass, John started forth into the
darkness, taking the shortest road pos
sible to the residence of Israel Ives.
He soon came to the place he Intended
visiting. A bright light cleaned out
through the front windows, with well
coming beams, and he fancied he could
see smiling faces there F; yet his heart
thumped so very singularly under his
shining satin vest that it was several
minutes before he could make up his
mind to knock at the door he walked
up and down the road past the place
several times, to calm himself, and to
think over the words he proposed say
ing when in the presence of Miss Ives.
At last he turned in at the gate, and
walking boldly up to the front door, he
made his presence suddenly known to
the Ives family by means of the friendly
assistance of the heavy brass knocker.
Israel Ives came to the door with a
haring candle in his hand he gave a
sudden little start of surprise upon
recognizing his visitor.
why, john" he said, SIS this
you?"
Is Miss Ives at home ?" said John,
nervously, forgetting in his sudden en-
barrassment to designate the particular
Miss Ives he wished to see.
Certainly, certainly, " replied Israel,
into the parlOr and sit down, and she
will come in presently"
Leaving his hat upon the rack In the
hall, John did as he was bid; he sat
down upon the outer edge of the chair
and awaited the young lady's coming.
He heard several suppressed giggles in
the adjoining room. and a suggestion
upon the part of Israel that they had
best not to act silly and foolish. Then
the door opened and in sailed Miss
Sophrony Ives, followed by Patience,
Malvina and Lucy Ives, each stimuli
taneously smiling and trying to look
as sweet and pretty as possible. They
advanced one by one and gave John a
greeting, after which they arranged
themselves in a graceful group about
him; then began the liveliest converse
ton John had ever listened to. He be-
gan to grow uneasy and lose his self
possession. This was rather more Miss
Iveses.than he had anticipated meeting.
At last sudden idea occurred to him.
Girls" he said, "do any of you
play blind mans buff
The young ladies all suddenly gig
gled.
Sometimes" said Miss Sophrony,
with sly glance at her sisters.
"Suppose we have game, then, y
said John, earnestly.
Several handkerchiefs were stimuli
taneously produced, and before John
was aware he was in midnight darkness.
"But you must be blinded, too,
Lucy" said Mis- Malvina sit always
makes it ivelier to have two, you
know"
So Miss Lucy's sight was temporarily
obscured In the same manner that
Johns had been.
Then the word "ready" was given
and without word of warning, So
phrony, Patience, Priscilla and Malvins
noiselessly glided from the room.
For awhile John and Lucy CROPPED
innocently about them, each failing tc
find the objects they sought. At last
John spoke:
CT say, where are you all ?" he said
helplessly.
No answer came to his question from
those he was seeking.
John, said Lucy, 81 believe they're
all hiding"
} Just at that moment .he two APP
preached each other with their hand.