Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-10-17
ohm was left alone with his rehec


BILE of the world for person of hi'
I age but he was very bashful ant
diflident. 1t was this quality of hi
+. disposition that made him SO averst
t to ladies' society, and had occasion
ed no little anxiety to old Peter
t who had already begun to fear thai
r John would be confirmed bach
, elor. hence his desire to kindly as
sist Johns matrimonial matters
! along.
A night or two subsequent to this
conversation with his father, it was
noticed that he attired himself with
J unusual care before going out, as
he insisted, to attend the debating
society. His father and mother re-
garded each other significantly as if
they well understood what was up
permost in Johns mind, but they
gave that young man no intimation
that they suspected his intentions.
After Il lingering look in the look
ing 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 in,
tended visiting. a bright light
CLEANED through the front windows
with welcoming beams, and he fan
cied he could see smiling faces
there; yet his heart thumped so
very singularly under his shining
satin vest that it was several min
utes before he could make up his
mind to knock at the door; and he
walked up and down the road past
the place several times to calm him.
self, and to think over the words
he proposed saying when in the
presence of Miss Ives.
At last he turned in at the gate,
and walking boldly up to the front
door, and made his presence known
to the Ives family by means Of the
friendly assistance of the heavy
brass knocker.
Israel Ives came to the door with
a tlaring candle in his hand; he
gave a sudden little start of surprise
upon recognizing his visitor.
"Why, john" said he ''is this
you!"
"Is Miss Ives at home9" said
John nervously, forgetting in his
sudden embarrassment the particu-
lar Miss Ives he wished to see.
"Certalnly, certainly" replied is.
rael, smiling mischievously, "walk
right into the parlor and sit down
and she will be in presently"
Leaving his hat upon the rack in
the hall, John did as he was bid
he sat down on the outer edge of a
chair and awaited the young lady's
He heard several suppressed gig
giles in the adjoining room, and a
suggestion on the part of
Israel that they had best not be
foolish. Then the door opened and
in sailed Miss Sophrony Ives, fol-
lowed by Patience, Priscilla, NAL
vina and Lucy Ives, each simulta-
neously 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 be-
gan the liveliest conversation John
had ever listened to. He began to
grow uneasy and lose his selfpos,
session. This was rather mOIe Miss
Ives than he had anticipated meet
ng.
At last a sudden thought occur
ed to him.
'Girls." said he, edo any of you
,lay blind mans buff?"
The young ladies all suddenly
siggled.
"Sometimes," said Miss Sophro-
~ with a sly glance at her sisters.
''Suppose we have a game then,"
aid John earnestly.
Several handkerchief were sim
'ltaneously produced, and before
'ohn was aware he was in Midnight
darkness.
"But you must be blinded too,
lucy" cried Miss Malvina; "it al
Vays makes it livelier to have two
on know"
So Miss Lucy's sight was tempo
arily Obscured in the same manner
hat Johns had been.
Then the word "ready" was given t
nd without a word of warning, |
ophrony, Pati ence, Priscilla, and {
lalvina noiseles sly glided from the l