Ellsworth American., 1876-06-29
MiseellansOus. g
A Laggard in Love.

John Marsden was brave enough as the
world goes. oIie had been stroke-oar oil ms
university crew. and knew all the chanheis
and ehutes OF the rapids below the little
city at l.; and once, when practising
with his oars on the river above them. lie
had saved a party OF amateur fishermen
from being dashed TO pieces on their rocks.
John Marsden was brave enough IN mat
wav. But when he came into the presence
OF Bessie Alden, every particle OF courage
in his heart oozed away. Tie loved and
feared TO speak. The reptition OF some inn-
nv repartee. which that laughable Mr. Er-
win had told the evening before, depressed
him as a reminder of = brighter and more
talkative rival. And when the rivals met
OF an evening in the presence oil the charm
ins beauty. Fred Erwin's audacity ansered
John; his witty repartee which proVoheu
the merry laughte of Bessie was as gan 10
the sedate lover; and his light touch upon
the piano, and the mellow voice Win
which he sang some sentimental song, d.
recting it with his impudent eyes at Bessie
herself. stung John with sense oi despair
over his own ability to shine In these
lighter acts SO dear to the heart of woman.
What hope had John Marsden against such
an uncomfortable wooer? And yet ms
heart refused to yield up all hope. anl
he lived on. resolving and temporizins ana
finding "A pleasure that lie dared not TisA
even in the privilege of hoping.
Old Mr. Alden was a shrewd observer,
and occasionally he gave his daughter bes-
sic the benefit OF his views on her Two
suitors.
BE Bessie, daug ghter," said he, one evening
In the comfort OF dressing-gown and sllp-
pers, over his own bedroom nre, Ill
| afraid Fred Erwin is shallow"
All IL ranlipI the chArfnluV bcs-
| sic, unheasitatingly.
Too light-headed and shallow. And for
| 4 bank cashier, with all the business OF the
| Cashley Bank on his shoulders, that Is q
serious fault. Quite serious! For my
| part" continued he, musingly, II think
| John Marsden is worth dozen like him.
| There Is something about Marsden that Is
| solid and straightforward. And. when ne
going-I notice it takes little diplomacy
usually to set him going light-he can taiR
| AS brilliantly as Erwin. Lord, lord. In my
day, when was u young lawyer IN oid
Lowdoin. counting your mother. 1t took a
wrestling, or q q riding match to win wo'
man. Why, l won your mother, and the
old mans eyes CLEANED with subdued mer
rimeut land she was the handsOmest glr
i'm Lowdoin county-it's no reflection oil
YOU that you didn't look quite so well a.
She did, my dear, though you look very
much like her-well. l won your mother
by breaking in colt belonging to her fath
er. He Ieaped a five barred gate with I'M
and generally made it very rough riding
Ii was . desperate measure, but your msth
er drove me to il"
III seems to me-" remarked Mr.. Alden
as he toasted his slippered feet before th'
fire. while Bessie sat near by, gazinl
thoughtiully into the dying Goals. -
seems to me that Fred Erwin Is pretty at
tentiye, my dear"
Bessie moved petuantly. "He's luna
> TIC" she said sharply.
ssNow my opinion" prosed the old geu
tlemsn, "rather favored John Marsden."
Bessie again moved uueasily.
!, "Bot," continued the old gentleman