The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-03-05
ANN BAGLEY'S MISTAKE.

10 begin with, Ann Da9ley was an ''Olu
maid" liz was not her fault, for she was
in the habit of saying that she had had
plenty of handsome offers, and no one
who intimately knew her had ever pre-
sumed TO question her truth and yeracity
upon this point.
She was a trim. slender little woman,
with dark bright eyes, and ebon black hair.
Her features were too sharp to be strictly
handsome, her mouth was rather too large
TO produce pretty smile. and her voice
too harsh 10 be strictly considered musical.
No artist with a conscientious regard for
truth would have pictured Ann Bagley as
beautiful woman.
And yet she had her admirers. and some
of them had pronounced her lovely.
How blind men are TO all the imperfec-
tons of their earthly. feminine idols.
Her last admirer had been Simeon Nc
Intrye. He was a worthy and agreeable
gentleman. He really loved Ann Bagley.
and he had no reason to believe that his
regard was not fully returned. They took
long walks and drives together. They at
tended the conference meeting. with
praiseworthy regularity; and soon. ac-
cording to village gossip, they were en-
gagged.
But village gossip was in this instance
slightly mistaken. Simeon had no doubt
thought seriously enough of the matter
many times, but. whenever a favorite OPP
portunity had presented itself, his assur-
ance had fOrsaken him he had stammered.
bhshed, looked confused, and talked IA
round the important subject, without di-
rectly coming tote point.
One moonlight summer evening he had
almost succeeded in the stupendoas UNI
dertaking. He and Ann were on their
way home from prayer-meeting. He
had told her something OF the possibilities
OF the future, of the feelings OF loneliness
that sometimes filled his heart. and of the
necessity he felt for some appreciative and
kindly heart TO interest itself in his wei
fare. when an immense dog had suddenly
sprung from farmhouse gate which they
were at that time passing, and had barked
AT them so fur.ously that Ann had become
seriously frigh .ened, and their conyersa-
ton had Immediately taken a different
turn.
But one night Simeon Mcintyre deter
mined TO settle the great question of his
future happiness. He resolved To call
upon Ann Bagley, and, in the plainest
manner possible, tell her that ne loved
her and ask her TO share his fortunes. Be-
fore starting he thought over a great
many times what he would say when he
was with her, and how and in what man.
ner he would say II. lie never took more
pains with his toilet then he did that
night. He took parting look at his
small mirror, with an expression of evil
dent satisfaction and expectant success.
Then he walked across the fields. taking
lis way towards Ann Bagley's house.
Now it SO happened that Ann was ex-
pecting him. And somehow she felt that
hQ Inn xx-uz IN hn a m IN ON in
her life. She was pretty certain that she
understood Simeon intentions. Would
he propose? She sincerely hoped that he
would. II he did, Of course she would ac-
cept him but then she would be nice and
proper about IL. She did not desire to ap-
pear anxious. She would feign indiffer-
cnce she would let him make a warm
and fervent declaration she would give
him favorable opportunity to press his
suit with all the ardor and eloquence he
could command. She wanted TO hear him
tell how much he loved her, how long he
had loved her. and how long ne would
continue to love her, and then-and then
she would gradually lean her head upon
his shoulder, and, looking up tenderly
into his admiring eyes, say, "1'here is no
way Of resisting your entreaties. Yes,
Simeon. am YOURS
She looked exceedingly pretty. notwith-
standing her plan countenance, when
tastefully alfred to meet her expected
lover. She was certainly very happy. and
a woman who Is truly happy is invariably
attractive.
Presently the door-bell rang, and she
joyously hurried 10 the hall door to meet,
as she supposed. Simeon Mcintyre. He
comes early tonight" she said, with
slightly palpitating heart. but then IL i
so much the better
She merriy opened the door. There
stood a small, stoop.shouldered man. with
a carpet-saek In his hand.
Good evenin', num-" he said, I'm a
husky voice. "I've called 10 show you
one o my valuable works, num-