The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-10-20
Srlerf Story.
WARNED OLA WARNING

fore his eyes be one Of those who vii
believe only what they understand, ol
who-because some imposters, pre-
tending to deal with the supernatural
have been exposed-treat with ridicul'
the idea that spirits can or will inter
pose in the affairs of morials here be
low, let linn skip the whole article
and 60 on to the next. He will hav,
a very good dimes worth without it
To the more tolerant would explain
that tell this tale as it was told to me
suppressing real names and alterin.
the scene, according to promise
have made. I will not attempt to &C
count for anything. Tie main fact
were narrated by a person sane IL
Ini'.d and strong of body-a man o
singularly truthful disposition. Th'
sequel | witnessed with my own eyes
so you may be quite sure that you vii
not come across the old familia
dodge" Of making wonders turn ou
TO be ''the baseless fabric OF vision.
In the year 1854, when l first me
Frank Conroy, lie was a handsome
brave, simple minded boy. Elever
years later | saw him again. He wa
"a great deal bigger, but very LITTLE
changed. The same dark brown cur
Iy hair with a CLINT of red in it, th'
same laughing blue eyes, the same al
most girlish smile, the same contempt
fer all that was mean or cruel; onl,
he didn't burst out crying now wher
touched with such things. He stood
six feet in his rowing shoes and woult
lust as soon have q mnle kick NE al
feel the full weight of his arm. 4
gentle giant, this Frank Conroy, will
fair abilities, good prospects, happ!
home. troops of friends, and the sweet
est girl in Virginia loving him with al
her heart. THIS was Annie Aunesely
the only daughter of planter whose
fortunes had survived tie ravages o.
civil war and who lived in granc
old house on the James River, some
fifty miles abovr Richmond. Hel
mother died when she was child
Annie was petite, of course, or she
would net have had big Frank at bel
tinny feet; and there was roundnes'
and softness about the lower part o.
her face, which appeared TO be OF The
wax-dolI order until you had taken il
her eyes and brow. say taken III, >
because they grew upon you. She
was not a reigning belle, however
Frank snapped her up as soon as she
came out-that was one reason. She
did not &C nsider dancing the Gr-'""r
as the end and object of existence
ard she carried too many guns for the
beaux of the period-that was another
There were ups and downs, ins and
outs, in the characters of this pail
which favored the forging OF an excel
lent weld when the great hammer man,
Love, should place them, all eglow,
on his anvil. At first big Frank wa.
iusolent, little Annie ambitious, be
was realistic, she romantic; he some
what too easy goiug to keep off foes,
size somewhat too given to cynicism tC
gain friends. In short time they be,
gan to rub off each others deficiencies.
He was 81 she Is. and they were to bt
married as soon as lie had taken his
degree.
In all sorts of athletic contests and
exercises he had already graduated
with the highest honors. In public
little Annie rather discouraged these
pur but her heart glowed with de-
light when the Iiarvuid beat dashed
first under the string. nd No. 3. Ihe
captain, was carried Uut Of il in tri-
umph. She tore her pretty lace hand
kerchief into shreads during the first
laps of the three miie foot race, as the
runner who wore her 'colors on his
great heaving chest appeared fifth in
the contest. She couldn't bear to see
him beaten, and when at last he put
OF his spurt and went through bis men
like rocket her heart beat faster
than his own. At tie time when this
account commences lie vas in train
ing for another great boat rsce, and
reading hard, too; for your rowing
man can be a good book worker if he
please.
Now staying cn a visit at the home
of your betrothed is both useful and
charming; useful bt cause it gives you
all insight iuto her character which is
not to be gained out in society; snd
charning-well, there is 10 need TO
elaborate that cause. But it does not
conduce to close study. st. Anthony
himself could hot keep his eyes on his
book when the Father of Evil took the
shape of a pretty woinan-to whom,
by the by, he was not engaged, SO how
can you expect that a warmhearted
young fellow from Harvard could work
in tie presence of bis LADY love? Why
did he not lock himself up in his room
He did. but what was the use? If she
went about singing. as was hei wont,
he listened, and Plato might reason as
he pleased unattended to. If she was
silent, lie (big Frank, not Plato wan
dered what she was doing, and Ores."s
raved in vain. The only chance for
work was when she went away from
house and gre unds visiting some neigh
Dor; and this when she knew the con
sequences she did as often as she could. |
She was proud of her lover, and want
ed him to take good degree.
These absences generally lasted till
time; but one day she came
down to breakfast in her riding-habit,
and told him she was going to see the
Melvilles. Seeing the Melvilles meant
a ride. out and more, of two and-twen-
ty miles.
''Mayn't go with your be asked.
No, sir. You have been shameful |
Iy idle lately; besides, l have lots of
things to say to Jarey," (her chief
bridemaid elect, land you would be
in the way. You need not expec to
soa mo - ,oa;, ,;rr S-.o- A., :, l.