Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1874-12-19
MISCELLANEOUS.
JOHN AND I.

"Come, john" said l, cheerfully, sit really
is time to 20 III you stay any longer shall be
afraid to come down and lock the door after
you"
Nv visitor rosa proceeding that always re-
minded me of the genii emerging from the cop
per vessel, as he measured six feet three-and
stood looking reproachfuly down upon me.
"You are in q great hurry to get rid of me-"
he replied.
Now didn't agree with him, for no had made
his usual call of two hours and half having in
country phrase, taken to " sitting up" with me
40 literally that was at my wits end to sup
press the yawn that knew would bring a troop
rushing after it.
He WAS a fine, manly looking fellow, this John
Crawford, old for his age-which was the rather
boyish period of twenty -one-and every way
worthy OF being loved. But didn't love him.
was seven years his senior and when, instead
letting the worm of concealment prey upon
his damask cheek, he yentured to tell his love
for Iny mature self, l remorselessly seized an
English prayer book and sternly pointed to the
claune, IA man may not marry his grandmoh-
en-" That was three years ago land l added
encouragingly "Besides John. you are child,
and don't know your own mind"
81 IL man of nineteen doesn't know his own
mind" remons trated my lover, I'D like to
know who should. But will wait for you seven
years, IL you say so-fourteen, al Jacob did FOR
Rachel"
of mending matters, "that woman does not like
wine, improve with age. But seriously John,
this is absurd you are q nice hoy, and like
you.--but my feelings toward you are more
OF mother than wife,.
could divine his intention he had lifted me
from the spot where stood, and carried me, in
FAINT fashion, to the sofa at the other end Of the
room.
al could almost find 1t in my heart to shake
you y said he, as he sat me down, with empha-
This was rather like the courtship of William
Of Normandy, and matters promised to be excit-
ing. A.. .,.. r.,, IN, ,,.,.
when had recovered my breath. :,
"Will you marry me?" asked John, some-
what threateningly.
"Not Just at present. replied.
1.-THE great handsome fellow" thought, as
he paced the floor restlessly, "why couldn't he
fall in love with some girl OF fifteen, instead Of
setting his affections an old maid like me
don't want the boy on my hands, and won't
have him !"
ssAs to your being twenty-sxr pursued John
in answer to my thoughts, "you say it's down in
the family bible and suppose it must be 30 {;
but l don't care il you are forty. You look
like a girl Of sixteen, and you are the only wo-
man shall ever love"
oh, john John at least five millions OF mon
have said the same thing before in every known
language. Nevertheless when you fairly break
down and cry, relent-for | am disgracefully
soft headed-and weakly promise then and there
that will either keep my own name or take
yours. For love liz very dog in the manger,
and John looked radiant at this occasion. 1t was
comfort to know that if he could not gather
the flower himself, no one else would.
A sort of family sbipwreck had waited John to
H.. hold ill.,
broken up, and / found myself comparatively
young in years, with half invalid father, a large
house, and very little money. What more Datur-
al than to take boarders2 And among the first
was Mr.. Crawford, and his son and sister, who
had lust been wrecked by the death OF the wife
and mother in foreign land--one OF those sud
den, unexpected deaths that leaves the suryi-
yors in dazed condition, because it is 30 diff
cult to imagine the gay wording who has been
called hence in another state OF being.
Mr.. Crawford was one OF my admiratlons from
the first. Tall, pale, with dark hair and eyes
he reminded me of Dante, only he was hand
somer; and he had such a general air OF knowing
every thing worth knowing (wthout the least
pedantry however,) that was quite afraid oil
Of him. He was evidently wrapped mp in John
and patient with his sister-which was asking
enough of Christian charity under the sun. llrs
Shelgrove was an unmitigated nuisance. Such
talker babler of her own aud her brother
affairs with equal indiscretion, and treating the
latter as though he were an incapable infant.
They STAYED with US three years and durinl
that time / was fairly prosecuted about John.
Mrs. Shellgroye wrote me letter on the subject
in which she informed me that the whole family
were ready to receive me with open arms
prospect that did not find at all alluring. They
seemed to have set their hearts upon me as {
person peculiarly fitted to train John IN th'
way he should go. Everything, WAS told, de
pended on his getting the right kind of wife
A special interview with MIR. Crawford, at hi
particular request, touched me considerably.
'' l hope" said he d" that you will not refus'
my boy, Miss Edna, He has set his heart 81
fully upon you, and you are everything that
could desire in daughter. want some one Il
pet feel sadly lonely at times and am sur
that you would just fill the vacant niche
drew my hand away from his caress, and al
most felt like hating John Crawford. Life witt
him would be one Of ease and luxury but dc
cded that would rather keep boarders.
Not long after this the Cranfords conclude
TO go to housekeeping, and Mrs. shellgrove wa
in her glory. She always came to luncheon nol
In her bonnet, and gave us minute details of a.
that had been done and talked of about th
house for the last twenty-four hours.
1t is really magnificent" said she, lengther
ing out each syllable. " Brother has such PEI
feet taste and he is actually furnishing the
brary, Miss Edna, after your suggestion. 70
see we look upon you quite as one OF the lam
ly."
THAT is very odd of you" replied shortly
but certainly have no expectation OF ever b
longing 10 IL
Mrs. 5hellgrove laughed as though had pc
petrated great joke.
"Young ladies' always deny these things,
course but John tells different story.
| ratified the cups and saucers angrlly al
thoughts floating off, not to John, but TO John
father, sitting lonely in the library furnished a
ter my suggestion.
Wasn't It after all my duty to marry the who
family2
The house was finished and moved into, al
John spent his evenings with me. used to 6
dreadfully tired of him. He was really too d
voted to be at all interesting, and had reaeh
that state of feeling that, il summary order
TO take my choice between him and the galoV
would have prepared myself for the hangn
with sort of cheerful alacrity.
locked the door upon John on the evening
question, when had finally gotten rid OF III
with those feelings in full force and medl
ted while undressing on some desperate mo
that should bring matters to Crisis.
But the boy had become reused at last.
too had reflected in the watches OF the mgr
the next day received quite dgnhed leu
from him, telling me that business called a
from the city for two or three weeks, and u
possibly upon his return l might appreciate
devotion better. felt inexpressibly rehev
1t appeared to me the most sensible move Jo
had made in the whole course OF our acqual
ance, and began to breathe with more freedc
Time flew, however, and the three wet
heightened to six without Johns return
wrote to me, but his letters became somew
constrained and scarcely knew what to mt
OF him. If he would only give me up, tnoug