Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-05-20
Now, John Jansen was not verdant

Now, John Jansen was not Verdant
young man he had seen considerable
of the world for person of his age and
but he was very difident
and bashful. It was this quality of his
disposition that made him soadverse to
ladies' society, and had occasioned no
little anxiety to old Peter, who. had al
ready begun to fear that J ohm would be
a 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. If 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-
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 il they we'll understood
what was uppermost in Johns mind,
but they gave the young man no init
nation that they suspected his lnten-
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.
He soon came to the place he intend
ed 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 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 friend
ly assistance of the heavy brass knocker.
Israel Ives came to the door with a
faring candle in his hand; he gave a
sudden little start of surprise upon
recognizing his visitor. -.'.r.
"Why, JOHN. he said, sis this
you?" -.. s..e ..l.-..
els 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 mis- chievously; 'walk right
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 subdued
suggestion upon the part of Israel that
hey had best not act silly and foolish.
Then the door opened and in sailed
Miss Sophrony Ives, followed by Pa
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
John a greeting, after which they ar
ranged themselves in a graceful group
about him; then began the hveliest
conversation John had ever listened to.
He began to grow uneasy and lose his
self-possession. This was rather more
Miss Ives than he had anticipated
meeting.
At last sudden ide occurred tc
him.
"Girls," he said, edo 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 a game, then, .
said John, earnestly.
| Several handkerchiefs were simulta,
taneously produced, and before John
was aware he was in midnight darkness.
"But you must be blinded, too,
Lucy" said Miss Malvina cit 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 NAL
VIVA noiselessly 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:
CT say, where are you all?'' he said,
helplessly. =.
No answer came to his question from
those he was seeking.
"John," said Lucy, "Ibelieve theyre
all hiding"
Just at that moment the two ap-
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.
ooh, is it you, John?" said Lucy
{" I do Believe they're fooling us.
She suddenly removed the bandage
from her ewes. and the next moment