Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-05-20

Simpson stood before him.
$50 delighted to see you, Mr.. Sykesl
lsn'tit lovely day."
Yes, yesl" stammered Jeremiah; " so
pleasant, thought I'd come-and-n
Yes, Mr.. Sykesm prompted his host
ess, as our hero appeared to be falling
into state of hopeless imbecility.
thought I'd come to-to-it's such
beautiful daym
"Very" lndorsing the sentiment as
enthusiastically as if it was perfectly
| original; and your farm looks so at
tractive. often envy you your lotr"
"Yes, like itr' murmured Jeremiah,
showing symptoms of recovery
"Oh, you mustl and have you good
housekeeper? It's so hard for a single
man to get suited in that respect"
"Tes," jeremiah sighed, % mine does
very we'll, but feel the need of a.
GA wifen said Miss Simpson appre-
ciatively; Eyes, you should have one"
SIN going top'-energetically- and
you live so near, perhaps"
Miss Simpson became delightfully."-
| confused
Please to speak little palmer, Mr..
Sykes"
"I-I-want wife, Miss Simpson!
Will you have met"
A mingled sob and chuckle escaped
Miss Simpsons lips; and this being the
appropriate crisis she let her head sink
upon his shoulder.
"Oh, jeremiah! are you sinceres"
"Of course / am! Amt your said
Jeremiah, taking the cue.
Sincere now and always! and I'll
prove it by fixing an early day." and the
customary "lover's seal" served as an
appropriate punctuation point.
"Now it's all donep exclaimed the re-
lieved lover, "only don't tell anybody
yet awhilel It'll make such talk, and /
feel $3.50 nervousp'
Your wish shall be my law, Jere-
miahf' was the obedient response; and
an hour subsequently jeremiah took his
departure, leaving his foncee in a delight
fully satisfied state, and finding his
housekeeper in condition of COM
| mensurate CONSERVATION at his pro-
| longed absence, and on the point of in
| vestigating the well to ascertain If he had
| committed suicide therein.
didn't know sparkling was so easy"
he soliloquiZed over mis- evening pipe !;
but therei I've no idea which one of
the three proposed tot / must remem-
Der and ask tomorrow. She'll know,
anyhow
| On the morrow, however, Jerusha, the
| fortunate one, found to her vexation that
she had business errand that must be
attended to. His sisters were likewise
| gone out, and before starting she called
her Abigail.
Betsy, if Mr.. Sykes calls to-day tell
him I'm out. Do you hear?"
"Yes, m" said Betsy, looking as
stupid as possible.
Don't forget" and Jerusha departed
while two hours later jeremiah again
stood at his inamorata's door, but in
some uncertainty as to whether the pre-
vious days experience was real or only
hallucination.
Pm sure | came here" he mused
"and that-she-she-said yes Any
how, I'll ask her again to make sure. ]
amt bit afraid now"
| Meanwhile the second sister, having
come home earlier than usual, was
seated deep in meditation and embroid-
cry in the parlor. The slip-sbod Abigail,
on duty as usual, answered his modest
knock.
"Is Miss Simpson ing" jeremiah asked
in low tone.
The girl treated him TO stupid stare,
and then her usual plunge:
| Zone on 'em is.
| waiting for me, of course; I'm right, "
murmured our hero.
"She's in the parlor," pursued Betsy,
with dive of her hand in that direction.
"All right" and jeremiah slipped a
| int M ha nd +.
"go on with your work, / know the
way"
The slight noise had not disturbed Me-
linda, and for q moment jeremiah con-
tempiated his inamorata. Yes, "she
was she" at least as far as his short sight
and the dark room revealed; and, steal
ing up behind her, he bent down and
/ treated himself and herself--in such
cases it's generally mutual treat, is it
not reader?-to a hearty smack. Me-
linda turned with shrill scream.
"Oh, oh, Mr. Sykesr' she faltered, hid
ing her face.
Jeremiahs arm went speedily around
her waist, his courage arising immedi-
ately.
"You amt mad, are you? Don't you
really love me, Miss Simpson,"
| IFODE YOU! CIhotu c'',
jeremiah love you now, and I'll love
you forever You may claim my-my
hand whenever you please"
81 declare | never loved anybody so
beforel" protested the happy swain ;
"give me kiss, my angel, TO make GER
tain"
His fancee obeyed with alacrity, and
Jeremi9h at last arose TO go.
"When will you come again, JerryF'
his lady love asked.
Il shall be away to town few days
after ring and things. And don't tell
ANYBODY we're engaged yet WHILE
with Slight lingering trepidation.
az hear and obey" was the meek re-
Spouse, and you won't-wont" twist.
ing one of his coat buttons" let any OF
your city friends win"
"No one shall win me from your ex'
claimed Jeremiah, $50 make haste for
the wedding!"
81 knen | attracted him" Melinda ex.
claimed as the door closed behind him.
{" Won't the girls be mad, though, when
they know Itw
4 Jeremiah walked home, feeling toier'
| ably comfortable.