Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-02-04

said; and the next moment ! was paying
my court to the ladies.
Il say" said Jennings, "let's go and
storm Smith"
" Oh, no, Tom" began Jenny.
why not?" said Jennings "He'u be
delighted to see us-won't he, Dobby?p
That I'll answer for" / said; and a
few minutes afterward we were climbing
the cold stone stairs and passing dismal
oak doors.
AS [ neared the top foor-for l was
sent on first by way of pioneer-I be-
came aware of the fact that the door was
ajar and | heard Smiths voice; but, as
he was evidently repeating something to
himself as if learning it, I had no hesita-
ton in listening, especially as we were
such old friends. But l paused on the
threshold, for this is what met my eye:
Smith in short jacket and slippers
was kneeling on the carpet before an easy
chair in which he had stuck the bolster
from his bed, and on the top of it was
his smoking-cap with its long tassel.
Amateur theatricals," l said to my
self" rehearsal"
But the next moment l was dumb
with establishment, for Smith went on:
" Dearest Miss Grey, since the first
night when l beheld you at your sisters
house have madly, passionately loved
you. Here, then, kneeling at your feet.
| make you the offer of my heart and
hand"
"That isn't so bad" he muttered.
Let's try again
And so intent was he that he did not
hear the fresh steps on the landing,
while | maliciously allowed Jennings to
lead Miss Jenny close up to where l
stood, when I held her hand, and let her
listen as the poor fellow went on:
dearest Miss Grey, since the first
night when | beheld you at your sisters
house l have madly, passionately loved
you. Here, then, kneeling at your feet,
[ make you the offer of my heart and
hand"
" Bravo, Smithy," L said, throwing
open the door. "That's pretty perfect.
Now go through it again with the lady"
Pm afraid it was rather malicious,
though it may have been some wicked
imp prompting me- At all events | did
the deed; and these two looked at me as
If they wished to crush me out of exist
ence, while Jennings roared with
laughter, and Mrs. J. said it was a great
shame.
Little Jenny was very indignant, but
she carried it off we'll; and as soon as
Smith had got over the surprise he
knocked the bolster he had been address
ing as Miss Grey off the chair, and tried
to seat Mrs. Jennings in it. But Jen-
nings was too quick, and popped the
little sister there, to her infinite cOnfu-
! sion.
We had refreshments and a pleasant
chat, during which / said to Smith:
Don't look like that, man, when ]
brought the real thing here"
I saw it all plainly enough now-cynic-
al Smith Lad been most desperately gone
with Jenny, who liked him too; but
after the fashion of some young ladies,
snubbed him and kept him at bay After
the meeting, though, at his chamber, and
the discovery Of his rehearsal, Jennings
was not long, aided by his wife, in ar,
ranging for the proper acting of the
drama. So Smith declared, was &C
cepted, the play came off, and was one
of the actors-best man was my part;
and could not help thinking how pleas
ant it would be if some little Jenny
would take pity on my forty-five years
and gray hairs, and make me as happy
man as was Smith upon his wedding
day
The rehearsal, though, is standing
joke; and the sticking up of sofa pill
low whenever we may meet is sure tc
bring a red flush into the cheeks of Mrs
Smith and declaration from her that il
is too bad for anything.
Poor Smith! how he ought to have
thanked us for bringing matters to &
climax.