Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-06-05
ROCKVILLE MARYLAND.


the world for person of his age and cir
stances, but he was very difident and
bashful II was this quality of his dis
position that made him so avcrse to la
dies society, and had occasioned no little
anxiety to old Peter, who had already
began to fear that John would be n con
firmed bachelor. hence his desire to kind
! ly assist Johns matrimonial matters
along.
For some moments after his fathers
exit, John sat profoundly thinking; he
believed he did have an indispensable
sort Of tenderness for the youngest daugh-
ter of Israel Ives. If not strictly beau
tiful, she was at least very sensible
girl, and would make practical house,
keeper John had but little sentiment
in his composition; his tastes we're 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 at
tend the debating society" Ills father
and mother regarded each other signf-
cantly, as if they well understood what
was uppermost in Johns mind, but they
gave the young man no intimation that
they suspicioned his intentions.
After last lingering look at the look
ing-glass, John started forth into the
darkness, taking the shortest road to the
residence of Israel ives.
He soon came to the place he intended
visiting A bright light CLEANED ont
through the front windows, with welcom-
ing beams, and he fancied he could see
smiling faces there, yet his heart thump-
ed so very singularly under his shining
vest that it was several minutes before
he could make up his mind 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, be
made his presence suddenly known to
the Ives family by means of the friend
ly assistance Of the heavy brass knocker.
Israel came to the door, with aaring
candle in bis hand; he gave sudden
little start of surprise upon recognizing
his visitor.
"Why! john he said, lis this your"
'Is Miss Ives at home?" said John,
nervously, forgetting in his sudden em-
barrassment to designate the particular
Miss Ives he wished to see
Certainly, certainly" replied Israel,
smiling mischicvously, walk right into
the parlor and sit down and she will come
in presently"
Leaving his hat upon the rack in the
ball, 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 sug-
gestion upon the part Of Israel that they
had best not act silly and foolish Then
the door opened and in sailed Miss So
phrony Ives, followed by Patience, Nal
vina and Lucy Ives, each simultaneous
ly 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
graceful group about him then began
the liveliest conversation John had ever
listened to. He began to grow uneasy
and lose his self-posscssion. This was
rather more Misses Ives than he had anti
tipated meeting.
At last sudden idea occurred to him.
Girls" he said, edo any Of you play
blind mans buff"
The young ladies all suddenly giggled.
Sometimes" said Miss Sophrony,
with sly glance at her sisters.
Suppose we have a game then, said
John earnestly.
Several handlscrchiefs we're simulta-
neously produced, and before John was
aware he was in midnight darkness.
"But you must be blinded, too,
Lucy" said Miss Malvina; sit always
makes it livclier to have two, you
know"
So Miss Lucy's sight was temporarily
obscurcd in the same manner that Johns
had been
Then the word "ready" was given,
and withouta word Of wirning Sophro-
ny, Patience, Priscilla and Malyina
noiselessly glided out Of iho room.
For awhile John and Lucy CROPPED in
nocently about them, each failing to find
the objects they sought, at last John
spoke:
II say where arc you all ?" he said
hopclessly.
No answer came to his question from
those he was seeking.
!. John, said Lucy, =" believe they
are all hiding"
just at that moment the two approach
ed each other with their hands extended,
and they were suddenly claspcd in each
others arms. This was a sensation so
new to John that it almost deprived him
of articulation.
90, is it you John p said Lucy
II do believe they're fooling us"
She suddenly removed the bandagc
from her eyes, and the next moment
John felt def Ettle fingers untying the
knot 10 the handkerchief that was bound
about his head.
"Look here, john" she said in
provoked sort Of way; lust see what a
trick they bav, Oh ID upon us. | migh
have h re upto Nfys