The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-10-21
BIBBS: A LOVE STORY.

There was no doubt about it; John
Wearc was perfectly wretched that night
He had Quarreled with Jennie Bell and
he wasn't going to make it up. The fact
was she gave herself too many airs, and he
didn't mean to stand it any longer Ee
didn't care if she 1cds pretty; that was no
reason why she should let half dozen
fellows at time hang about the shop or
stroll in one at time and. leaning on their
elbows, chatter and smirk and smile over
the counter, cadets and officers, too, wild
young fellows, who only did so for their
own idle amusement, and would no more
dream of marrying her than they would of
inviting her to the ball that was coming
off next month. To be sure, he was only
common cavalry soldier, but then he had
been in the service COED many years
now, had an excellent character, and
father had died not long since, and there
was the cottage all ready for Jennie to
walk into, and they might settle down at
once if she'd only be sensible. Jennie
acted as shop-woman for her sister, Mrs.
Evans. A very Door little shop it was,
very small and badly stocked, for Mrs.
Evans had only managed to get few
pounds worth of things with what had
been subscribed for her in the garrison
after the fever had carried off her husband
The speculation answered pretty we'll at
first, for many of the officers wives, know
ing what an Industrious woman Mrs.
Evans was, made point of buying their
tapes and cottons and sticks of sealing
wax of her. Then ,Jennie's pretty face
was seen behind the counter, and the shop
was filled from morning to night with
officers and frisky young cadets, and the
original customers took t1ight-though
Mrs. Evans did not know it, for she, be-
lieving the business was safe in the keep
ing OF Jennie, worked hard at the dress
making (she had three children to support,
and tie shop alone would not do it,.
The officers were not profitable GUS
toners, for they only went to tlirt with
Jennie under the excuse of buying penny
paper, or perhaps asking for a timetable
Jennie made the most trim and pretty and
Obliging Of shsp-women, and the place it.
self was always pattern of neatness; but
the officers wives did not care to go and
buy their thread where they were evident
ly interrupting a Irritation, and so the
business continued to fall off, and Mrs.
Evans began to get quite unhappy about
it. Jennie-pretty, kind-hearted, thought
less Jennie-had no idea that she had
anything to do with it, or she would have
sent every one of her admirers off at a
pace that would have astonished them
She had been only too delighted, after her
brother-in-law died, to come from Devon
shire and live with her sister at Wool
wich-not only because she was very fond
Of her sister, but also because she had
wished many times to see John Weare
again. She had made his acquaintance
when her brother and he-for they had
been in the same regiment-weres stationed
at Plymouth, and she had made them a
flying visit with her father. John had
told her then that he was tired of the
service and wanted to settle down, and
she inwardly thought that he could do NO
better than ask her to settle with him. He
had been very attentive when she came to
self on the footing Of a lover till he found
tie shop always filled with officers and
cadets. At first he was shy of appearing
before his superiors, then he got Jealous
and at last angry, for he felt and knew
that they meant her no good, and besides
it was doing real injury to the business Of
the shop. AT last he spoke his mind and
told the coquettish Jennie what he thought
and was snubbed for his pains.
eff you think don't know how to take
care of myself, Mr.. Weare, you are much
mistaken, and don't want anyone to tell
me what's right or wrong. l know fol
myself"
"Well, Miss Jennie, I didn't mean to
give otfense. l only told you what
thought" - ~ -, g-.->.
"Then you might have kept your
thoughts to YOURSELF" she said with a little
toss of her pretty head" unless they had
been nice Ones" she added. He heard
the aside, and picked up his courage.
cares for you really can't get near YOU
he pleaded. just then Jennie caught
sight of Capt. MCGEE, a tall land handsome
man, with long whiskers and red nose
coming in the direction of the shop, with
big bunch of flowers in his hand, She
had heard John Weare's last words, but
she was secretly of opinion that che
ought to have come UP to the scratch be