The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-11-20
Bibbs, a Love Story.

There was no doubt about it John
Wearc was perfectly wretched that night.
He had quarrelled with Jennie Bell and he
wasn't going to make 1t up The fact was
she gave herself too many airs, and he didn't
mean to stand it any longer He didn't
care it she acas pretty that was no rea. on
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 smrk and smile over the coun-
| ter, cadets and officers too, wild young fell
lows, who only did SO for their own idle
amusement, and would no more dream of
marrying her than they would of inviting
her to ball that was coming off next
month. To be sure, he was only common
cavalry soldier, but then he had been in the
service good many years now, and an ex-
cellent character and good trade at his
back, and moreover, his 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 would
only be sensible. Jennie acted as shop
woman for her sister, Mrs. Evans. A
very poor 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 car
Rad off her husband. The speculation an
| swered pretty well at first for many of the
officers WIVES, knowing what an industri-
Gus 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 frsky young cadets, and the
original customers took tlight-though Mrs.
Evans did not know it, for she, believing
the business was safe in the keeping of
Jennie, worked hard at the dress making
(she had three children to support, and the
shop alone would not do it,
The officers were not profitable custom
ers, for they only went to flrt with Jenny
under the excuse of buying penny paper,
or perhaps asking for time table. Jenny
made the most trim ami pretty ard oblig-
ing of shop women, and the place itself
was always pattern of neatness ;fibut the
officers wives did not care to go and buy
their thread where they were evidently in
terrupting filtration, and so the business
continued to fall off. and Mrs. Evans began
to feel quite unhappy about it. Jenny
pretty, kind hearted, thoughtless Jenny
had no idea that she had anything to do
with it, or she would have sent every one
OF her admirers off at pace that would
have astonished them. She had only been
too delighted after brother-in-law died, to
come from Devonshire. and live with her
sister at Woodwich-not only because she
was very fond of her sister, but because
she had wished many times to see John
Weare again. She had made his acquaint-
ance when her brother and he-for they
had haan in tl,n m rpuinnpt-u,a TO
toned at Plymouth, and she had paid them
flying visit with her father. John had
told her then that he was tired of the SER
vice and wanted to- settle down, and she in
wardly thought that he could do no better
than ask her to settle with him. He had
been very attentive when she came to
Woolwich, and gradually established him
self on the footing of lover till he fonnd
the shop always full of officers and cadets.
At first he WAS shy of appearing before his
superiors, then he got jealous and angry,
for he felt and knew that they meant her
no good, and besides it was doing real in
jury to the business of the shop. AT last
he spoke his mind and told the coquetish
Jenny what he thought, and was snubbed
for his pains.
If you don't think | know how to take
care of myself, Mr. Weare, you are much
mistaken, and | don't want any one to tell
me what's right or wrcng. know for my
SELF"
swell, Miss Jennie, | didn't mean to
give offense. l only told you what |
thought"
"Then you might have kept your
thoughts to yourself" she said, with little
toss of her pretty head-''unless they had
| been nice ones" she added. He heard the
aside, and picked up his courage.
"li's awfully hard, too, when one that
cares for you really can't get near you, he
pleaded. Just then Jennie caught sight of
Captain MCGEE, tall and handsome man,
with long whiskers and red nose, coming
in the direction of the shop, with bunch
of flowers in his hand. She had heard
John Weares last words, but she was Sc
cretly of the opinion that she ought TO
have come up to the scratch before, 80
she thought little jealousy might do him
good.
"Oh here comes Captain Niece" she
said in delighted tone.
"Well, he's just the biggest blackleg in
the service, Jennie, and ii you take my adj
vice you'll send him off sharp"
81 believe you are jealous, Mr. Weare,
and telling stories about the captain he is
always very polite TO me, and she smooth
ed her pretty hair and arranged the trifles
on her counter.
so, he's polite enough. no doubt"
And he's bringing me some flowers.
Snow look here Jennie, are You going to
take them p
'Of course am"
swell. then, goOd-by."
Good by she laughed. OF course she
knew he wouldn't 90.
Jennie, he'll he in directly, and shall
he Off, but you must choose between him
and me. II you are going to keep on talk
ing 10 him shall meyer come in the place
again, so which is il to be p
1.-THE captain"
'But am not joking I'll neversee you
again"
"No more am joking, so good by"
"Good by,-and he went.
lie kept resolatcly away for whole
month-never once went ntar the place.
| If Jennie wanted him she might send for
him or get her sister to invite him TO tea,
as she had done before. But John Weare
was not sent for, neither was he invited to
tea, and his spirits began to wax low.
"lf she cared about me she'd have got in
my way somehow before this--trust a wo-
man, he thought.
The idea of not being cared for was not
cheerful. That night he strolled carelessly
by the shop, but on the opposite side OF
lac .xt Ian. "a