The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-08-29


packages for home necessity, and took
it with an i'll concealed avidity. The
truth was, kind of heart sickness seized
me when | thought that the evening
must be passed in making myself gen
orally agreeable, and | telt that to wan
der about this place, distorted out of its
sweet SAVIOR of godiness and quiet rest
so dear TO weary soul--to wander about
among the flags and wreatbs and tents
and arbors, with q smile for one, a nod
TOR another--was like the pretracted and
agonizing pilgrimage of lost sou! be,
yond the borders of the Styx,
SO | speedily put myself behind the
counter, which comfortably hid more
than half my tall, gaunt figure, and was
80 glad of the shelter that | found my
self becoming interested in these despised
articles piled up before me. I de.
termined, If | could, to make my mission
success, so that | and other poor
weary women might have this refuge to
fly to in these gala seasons of misery.
The successful grocer, who had not
been very well pleased with the open in
gratitude for his bequest, took heart and
frightened up when he saw me giving
an air of smartness to his goods. He
extricated himself from bevy of young
and fair ones, and came graciously over
to help me. In sheer gratitude | began
to praise his young colt that was pastur-
ing in field adjoining our gar,len, and
he remained with me. Shortly after,
when he found that queer feeling in
his head agreed with the same discomfort
in my poor Uranium, he brought chair
behind the counter, and in low tender
voice he detailed to me the interesting
diagnosis OF his pet malady.
On the other side of me the minister's
son, who was home from college, and
suffering from that period of egotism
which comes to young men of his kind,
remained during the entire evening, to
show his contempt for the young, the
fair, the frivolous A few old married
friends, whose wives were sick or away,
hovered about the grocery counter, 10
that it really did happen that was sur
rounded by men. The evening wasp g.
ing pleasantly enough. My dark corner
was well patronized, and every woman
who has to do with church entertain
ments will understand my qualification
when | found it was ten o'clock and all
was well. At this time letter was put
intomy hand by one of the post.otIice
messengers-we always made feature
of the p0st0tiiCe at our festivals, where
pink and parti colOred missives, with
doves and other doting designs upon the
envelopes, were distributed at extrava>
CANT rates of postage. had Just been
favored with liberal offer from a Gus,
toner, and, elated with my bargain,
proceeded to put up my bundles, not
giving much heed to the love letter from
the neighboring booth Truth to say,
felt little tingling of the blood at the
idea of the mockery that might be con.
cealed therein by one of those witty vii.
lage youths, and the letter lay there for
full half hour, when somebody said, in
the most commonplace way.
$50 Jack Hunter is back from China :"
Ia moment everything WAS black be-
fore me. dropped my hands and my
eyes to the counter, and when this sud
den dizziness was gone, saw upon the
little tawdry envelope Jack = scrawling
handwriting. Here was the little line
had coveted all these years and this il
what my halt-biuded eyes made cut:
81 came hone because | was mad TO
zee you-because all these year., and
your old periidy couldn't bill my love
for you. | find you just As expected
to, in space small enough to he filled
outside and inside with--men. You are
as beautiful and fascinating as ever, and
as fond of admiration. | hear that you
are about to be married to the grocer at
your elbow, who 50 engrosses your atten.
tion that you do not care to look at the
passers by. God help him and God bless
you have had my lesson Now
shall, perhaps, be satisfied. Good-by."
Five minutes after that ! was running
home, without my hat, and with his note
crumpled up in my hand. The people
at the festival no doubt thought that
mamma was suddenly taken ill., They
could not have fancied | was running
after Jack, because he had been there at
the church for an hour, and had been
totally unconscious of his presence.
Dear heaven how could it be that |
didn't know, that something didn't tell
me, that didn't feel he was near me2
But did not. | went on talking to
the grocer about remarkable operation
for an ulcer that he had undergone,
when Jack must have been only a few
rods awavl | ran down the road, my
heart in my throat. Fortunately the
village street was deserted. Every man,
woman and child were at the festival,
except thoSe who could not he out at all;
30 ran on unchecked, a dim fear gain
ing weight with me that Jack had not
unpacked his trunk, and was off to China
again within an hour. But when
reached his house, which was next door
to my own, | saw him sitting out on the
balcony smoking a cigar, with his feel
perched upon the railing. But his face
grew very pale in the moonlight, and hi
feet clattered spec lily down upon tht
porch when he saw me run in the gate
The cigar fell from his lips, the ashes
tumbling over his broad white wsistcoat
"Why, thank God" he said, "thi'
must be my own dear little girl. Now
see here, Jenny" be began, scolding, 4
minute after; but he kept tight hold ot
me, and trembled as much with hsppi'
ness as I did.
Nothing can persuade him that | am
not desperate firt, as beautiful as an
angel, and irresistingly fascinating. |
have not the least doubt that halt the
village are laughing at Jacks ridiculous
devotion and jealousy: but the well.
meant endeavors of his friends and
family TO convince him that | am plain,
faded, unattractive, and neglected old
maid he laughs to scorn as conspiracy
of envy or jealousy. And how can |
wonder at bis delusiOn? Mamma says
Jack has terribly aged during these
wears of loneliness and exile, and look.
III. a,J pnt sn cnmnlv oa nur paiobbn,