River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-05-22

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circumstances, but he was very diflident
and bashful. 1t was this quality of his
disposition that made him soadyerse to
ladies' society, and had occasioned no
little anxiety to old Peter, who had al.
ready begun to fear thatJohn would be
confirmed bachelor, hence his desire
to kindly assist Johns matrimonial
matters along.
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. III not strictly
beautiful, she was at least very sensi-
BILE girl, and would make practical
housekeeper. John had but little SEN
timent in his composition his tastes
were more matter-of-fact. The more
John thought of matrimony, the more
fixed became his determination of com
hitting himself as soon as possible.
A night or so subsequent to the con-
yersation 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 il 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 glance at the
| looking glass, John started forth into
the darkness, taking the shortest road
possible to the residence of Israel Ives.
lie soon came to the place he intend
cd visiting. A bright light cleaned
out through the front windows, with
welcoming beams, and he fancied he
could see smiling faces there; yet his
heart thumped so very singularly under
his satan Shining vest that it was sever
al 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 iii 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 Ivy means of the friend
~ assistance Of the heavy brass knocker.
Israel Ives came to the door with a
naring candle in his hand; lie gave n
sudden little start of surprise upon
recognizing his visitor
Why, JOHN he said, els this
you?'
"Is Miss Ives at home? ~ said John,
nervously, forgetting in his sudden
embarrassment to designate the partic-
ular Miss Ives he wished to see.
Certainly, certainly" replied Israel,
, smiling mischievously :, ''walk right
into the patlor and BIT down and she
will come in presently.
Leaving his hat upon the rack in tie
hall, John did as he was bid f; he sat
down upon the outer edge of the chair
and awaited the young lady's coming.
He heard several suppressed giggles In
the adioinina tSs4!!, aaa subdued
suggestion upon the part of Israel that
hey had best not act silly and foolish
Then the door opened and in sailed
Miss Sophron,s Ives. followed by Pm
thence, Malvina; and Lucy Ives, each
: simultaneously smiling and trying to
look as sweet and pretty as possible.
They advanced one by one and gave
Holm 4 greeting, after which they ar
: ranged themselves in graceful group
about him; then began the liveliest
conversation John had ever listened to.
He began to grow uneasy and lose his
self-posBession This was rather more
Miss Ives than lie had anticipated
meeting.
At last II sudden idle 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, :
said John, earnestly.
Several hanakerchiefs were simulta-
taneously produced, and before John
was aware he was inmidnight darkness.
"But you must be blinded, too,
Lucy" said Miss Malvina lit always
makes it liveier 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 a word OF warning, So
; phrony, Patience. Priscilla, aud Nal
vina noiselcssly glided from the room.
For awhile John and Lucy CROPPED in
nocently about them, each failing to
find the objects they sought. At last
John spoke
! | say, where are you all?" he said,
helplessly
No answer came to his question from
: those bp Was seeking
John, said Lucy, "Ibelieye they're
, all hiding.
just at that moment the two APP
preached each other with their hands
extended, and they were each suddenly
clasped in each others arms. This was
sensation SO new to John that it al
most deprived him of articulation.
"Oh, is it You, John?" said Lucy
:" 10 Believe they're fooling rs.
She suddenly removed the bandage
from her eyes, and the next moment
Jol n felt her deft little fingers untying
the knot in the handkerchief that was
bound ABOUT his head.
Look n here, John" she said. in a