Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-08-20
In SEARCH OF A SITUATION.

She stood at the crossing oil the VII
lage street Just as the shower came down.
1t had been rainy morning, the drops
filtering playfully through the clouds,
interspersed with dazzling outbursts of
sunshine, but now pelting, merciless
torrent rushed sharply downward, gath
ering vehemence from past delay.
And there stood Bessy in the midst of
it, one pretty foot stretched doubtfully
outward to feel for a stepping stone
amidst the torrent that swept over the
crossing
Quite by accident, of course, young
Brownley, dawdling at the depot, in
doubt whether to take the next train,
caught sight of this vision as he drummed
with idle fingers on the gray green panes
of the waiting-room. 1t was quite by
accident also, of course, that in second
after this he was crossing the street a
little further up, armed with a big UNI
brella. As Bessy, still doubtful, glanced
ruefully about to see if she could reach
the nearest tree, or had better brave it
out, this stranger, picking his way
through the mud and wet, stood by her
side.
Now we all know that it does not do
for woman to overstep conventional
limits she must keep to the bars of her
gilded cage, and twitter happily behind
them. To allow gentleman to speak
to her without an introduction, even if
he were on raft while she fioated by,
going politely to the bottom, would be
thing of very doubtful etiquette. But
down came the shower, and there stood
Bessie without an umbrella. Under
some circumstances, it must be owned,
conventionalism makes poor show be-
- A. ,lntr
having more or less of the savage linger-
ing about him, proffered his umbrella.
1t was promptly accepted by the girl,
who had evidently far less regard for the
proprieties of life than for her dripping
dress.
"Oh, dearr she said, "it's completely
spoiled, | suppose This is the second
time I've started out to see poor little
Tom, and been stopped by the rain. j
hope it won't rain this way every after
noon"
g | almost hope that it WILL" said her
companion, glancing at the bright, flushed
face beside him. Il always carry an
umbrella"
Now it must be confessed that this
commendable prudence and foresight
had sprung up in the young man within
the last ten minutes. But what of that?
Reforms must begin at some time, pre-
sumo.
have observed that, as a rule, most
heroes of romance are well provided for.
They have higher sphere of troubles
than the mere harassment of looking for
bread and butter. And right enough it
should be SO, say /. 1t is pity if we
cannot have place of refuge, between
book covers at least, where the contemr IT,
BILE commonplace of life is not thrust
upon us. All hail to the heroes with
rich uncles and old auHts, and good-hu
mored, mole-eyed grandmothers, and
forthcoming legacies! I'm sorry / can't
place my hero among them; but he's
an intensely every day fellow, not fit for
such high society. He hasn't even dis
tant relative in India with one foot in the
grave
The fact is, the youth had actually
come up to Evansville looking for stu
alton in the big country store of Wander
q Co., and, what is more, he'd been re-
fused it.
But here, however, with the incorrigi-
BILE hopefulness of youth, he walked
along beside Bessy and forgot all about
It, He expected to leave her at some
cottage gate near by, and so he did pres
emily. A pretty, low-roofed house stood
Just in sight, with row of red and white
hollyhocks nodding up to its caves. A
scarlet runner, dripping and shining in
The shower, half hid little window fac
ing on the lane, wherein fantastic as
semblage of spools, beads and jars of
confectionery looked out with an eye to
trade.
The girl flung open the gate.
Won't you come in?" she said. aunt
folly will be glad TO see you"
No, thank you" said the young man,
staring stupidity after her, as she disap-
peared among the hollyhocks.
Lives there, does shey" he said. con-
.emplating the tiny shop.window I'm
700 late for the train today. Guess I'll
cal in tomorrow. Wonder If they keep
nshing lines.n
The next morning after loungiDg about
.he village and trying vainly to get
sense OF his situation, or rather want OF
one, young Brownley brushed his coat
win extraordinary care.
No signs of u shower to-day" he said,
~ ne strolled up the road. Wonder If
Ia better take train?"
AND with that he turned up the lane