The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-11-15
Browns Sweetheart.

Brown was a bachelor--a sad, silent
man, who, instead of having passed
through the frivolities of youth, had
passed them By, and was now safely
landed on the other side. His age was
an undetermined problem, not to be set
tied like that of horse, by his teeth,
for they were artificial, nor by his locks,
for thew were dyed, while, by brushing
forward his back hair so as to form a
false crown several inches below the nat
ural one, certain incipient badness Yves
dexterousy concealed
"He will never see fve-and-forty,"
darkly limited Tabitha Skimply, who,
after setting her cap at Brown for many
years, at last like Esop's fox, found con-
ISOLATION for batf1ed hopes in undervalu
ing their object.
Though at most times sad and silent,
Brown was not unsocial. He enjoyed
the company of friends, in circle of
whom, with bottle of wine to help, he
would often thaw out perceptibly.
Its a wonder Brown never married."
remarked Peleg Rifle, on one Of these
occasions.
Brown sighed.
What a model head of family he d
have made" added lothian Tunnel.
Another sigh from Brown.
"A perfect pattern of the domestic vir-
tues" returned Peleg Rifle. Upon my
word, Brown, you've sinned against So
ciety and yourself in hiding your light
under bushel."
"You," put in lothian Trunnel, "who
should now be setting bright example
e h,a1 20 fhA rtct,
ticnr'
"Alas!" said Brown, sit was not to be-"
''Can it be true" inquired Peleg, that
you once proposed to Tabitha Skimpley,
and were rejected, as she says, on the
score of ages"
'As for my age" muttered Brown,
''she's old enough to remember it, at any
rate. But" he continued, II don't mind
telling,onc for all, the story of my heart,
just to prove how little Tabitha Skimpley
had to do with it."
lothian and Peleg set themselves to
listen, and thus Brown began:
1T was a case of love at first sight"
"Wouldn't it be more methodical,"
suggested lothian, elf you first told US
how you came to see the ladyI'
But / didn't see her."
"Come, that's paradox"
"A truth, none the less; found her
picture"
"And fell in love with thatl All! l
see," replied lothian.
II picked it up from where it had been
dropped in the street. 1t was a NINA
ture, done on ivory, and set in hand
some locket-none of your trumpery
photographs, which give to all the same
eyes, hair and complexion, but a match
less painting, representing face of
exquisite beauty, whose white rivalled
the lily, and its red the rose. Ringlets of
shredded gold fell on shoulders of ala
baster, and"
Hold on, Brown" interrupted Peleg
isn't that going it rather strongi"
''Strong tell you it was an angels
likeness, improved by leaving out the
wings.
ITO find the original Of that celestial
shadow, l vowed thenceforth forward to
devote my days. / bought an opera
glass of extra power, and visited in sue
cession the most frequented places of
amusement. / promenaded the fashion
able thoroughfares, went the round Of
INC OlQucSt-tOu CuolCncs, souutCiCu Al
the arks, and lounged in the picture
galleries. If saw before me cataract
Of golden curls flowing from beneath
jaunty hat, would hurry forward and
look back to find, alas that the face
was anothers.
81 began to despair at last. felt that
my fate, like that of the Wandering Jew,
vas to march march, for evermore.
II resolved to accept my destiny. If
could do nothing else, could at least
manifest my devotion by marching on
One day, however, I was brought to q
halt"
"By what" asked lothian Trunnell.
.By the yelp of dog.
IL know not what mysterious influence
there was in that yelp. At any rate, it
startled me from my revery, and turning
about, l saw"
The angel of your dreamsy" eagerly
anticipated lothian.