The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-09-20

proximity of those boys distracted him.
OF course it did; l could enter into the
old gentleman's feelings perfectly. 1t
distracted me too. Don't smile, my
dear fellow. The prancing young
ubiquities were well enough in their
way, I'll admit; only objected to hav-
ing them in mine.
"All that week my beloved Timothy
seemed strangely preoccupied and er-
ratio, Gaping the climax Saturday
evening by fidgeting into my room in
his next days clothes to announce in a
shame-faced fashion that, by the way,
he believed he'd look in with me that
night at rehearsal if agreeble. s.
"It was not agreeable; it was decid-
edly otherwise, for it upset deep-laid
scheme of mine. AS fate would have it,
by means of sundry extra rehearsals for
Easter [ had made great progress in my
acquaintance with Miss Sparrow dur
ing the last few days, and but for Tim
othy l should have called upon her that
evening with the gift of a new ballad,
and so, maybe, have had the pleasure of
escOrting her to st. Luke's, to the rout-
ing of the brotherkins.
"Well, | could only toss the roll of
music under the sofa as gently as mas
culine depravity would permit, and con-
duct my music-greedy friend to the
choirmeeting, ostensibly to listen to the
chants, though [ knew, and he knew,
that he had always heretofore objected
to hearing them practiced.
"Of course | presented him in due
II,
He bowed like a worshiping devotee,
and as she moved to her place by the
contralto sat down with an exalted ex-
preston upon his hat, to the audible
amusement of the youthful Sparrows
perched on the gallery steps. glanced
at him rgain during the first soprano
solo, and saw him in the same position,
his eyes fixed on the singer. Rehearsal
over, he coolly walked up to her to
proffer his escort. l verify believe she
was too startled to decline it. She ac-
cepted his arm with a look of blank
amazement, and the two set off to-
gether through the April slosh,
followed by the inevitable juvenile
guard. Judging from the bespattered
condition of Timothy's overcoat that
night, the younglings danced about
him like frisky satyrs all the way; but
he wore the face of one who has walk
ed with angels far above this mud-ball.
"sThis Indifference to his broadcloth
struck me at the time as peculiar, for
he has such a constitutional horror Of
dirt that he really keeps up his muscle
by the use of the clothes-brush; still,
though afterward saw him spread his
Sunday beans with mustard and his
Monday bacon with oil, it was not till
late on the latter evening that came to
a just appreciation of his abnormal
state. Without knocking he bolted into
my room in great agitation.
"'For the love of mercy, Hal, tell me
what to do!' he cried, upsetting the
piano-stool without perceiving it.
You're younger than l, and understand
the nature of women better
81 did, did [? Well, l agreed with
him on hearing his story.
"He had just returned from Miss
Sparrow's. The young lady hadn't in
vited him to call; she didn't re-
ceive calls now, in fact, on
account of her fathers rapid
ly increasing illness, though Timothy
was not aware of this. | dare say she
thought he had come at my request with
the new anthem had promised to send,
and she ran down to the parlor at once,
not even stopping to put down the vial
of medicine she happened to have in her
hand.
'Good-evening, Mr.. Goodwin said
she-nothing more nor less; and then
she stood quietly awaiting his message,
very pale and interesting, I've no doubt,
from grief and watching.
81 know Timothy's great warm heart
swelled with compassion for the afflicted
young thing, but even to express his
sympathy he would not touch so much
as the hem of her garment till she gave
him the right, much less would he take
her hand.
"I'm afraid you're hardly prepared
for what I'm about to say, Miss Spar
row. he began, pacing the room, and
probably hurting the words at her like
pebbles from sling. I'm aware il
isn't customary for a man to declare
himself on so short an acquaintance
but I'm plain, straightforward fellow
desperately in earnest
" Fancy the little sopranos wonder
ment! | seem now to see her 'baby.
blue ) eyes opening each moment wider
and wider.
"s TIL now | have never met any
woman whom | wished to marry Tim
othy went on, and am 40 years old
When at middle age love comes for the
first time to man of my temperament
| it is no milk-and-water sentiment, Mis-.
Sparrow. feel that I could give my
life to make you happy. VIII you b.
my wife?'