Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1879-04-03
5H,sreHaug.
JOHN AND |.

JUIiN AND |,
Come, john" said |, cheerfuly, ''i
really is tim" to go; if you stay any Longer
shall be afraid to come down and locl
the door after you"
My visitor rose-a proceeding that al
ways reminded me of the genius emerg
ing from the copper vessel, rs he measured
SIX feet thrce-and stoodlooking leproach,
fully down upon me.
"Iou are in great hurry to get rid Of
me-" he said
Now didn't agree with him, for he had
made his usual call Of two hours and a
half; having, in country phrase, taken to
sitting up with me so literally that
was frequently at my wits end to suppress
the yawn that knew would bring troor
rushing after it.
He was fine, manipulating fellow,
this John Crawford, old for his age-which
was the rather boyish period of 22-and
every way worthy of being loved. But
didn't love him. was seven years his
senior; and when, instead OF letting the
worm of COnceaIment prey on his damask
cheek, he yentured to tell his love for my
mature self, | remorscly seized an English
prayer-book, and pointed sternly to the
clause, IA man may not marry his grand
mother" That was three years ago; and
| added, encouragnglyss 'bcsides, John,
you are child and dom known your own
mind. "" .
"lf man of 10 doesn't know his own
mind, " demonstrated my lover. 81 would
like to know who should. But will wait
for you seven years. if you say so-four-
teen--as Jacob did for Rachel"
"You forget" lreplied, laughing at his
way of mending matters. that woman
does not, like wine, improve with age
But seriously, John, this is absurd; YOU
are nice boy, and | like you-but my
feelings toward you are more those of a
mother than wife,
The boy eyes flashed Indignantly; and
before could divine his intention he had
lifted me from the spot where stood, and
carried me, infant-tashion, to the sofa at
the 9th end Of the room.
81 could almost find it in my heart to
shake you" he muttered, as he set me
down with emphasis.
This was rather like the courtship of
William of Normandy, and matters prom.
sed to be quite exciting.
Don't d o that again said |, with Dig
nifty. when had recovered my breath.
"Will You marry me?" asked John,
somewhat thrcatenlngly.
Not Just at present, replied
"The great handsome fellow, " thought
as he paced the floor restlessly, why
eouldn t he fall in love with some girl Of
-, instead Of setting his affections on an
old ma id like me? | don't want the boy
on my hands, and won't have him!"
"As to your being 26, pursued John,
in answer to my thoughts, "you say its
down in the family Bible, and suppose it
must be so; but no one would believe it,
md don't care If you're 4O You look
like girl of 16, and you are the only wo.
man ! shall ever love-"
"0h John, John! at least five millions
Of men have said that same thing before
in every known language. Nevertheless,
when you ftirly break down and cry. Ire.
lent-tor am disgracetully soft-hcartcd-
and weakly promise then and there tnat
will either keep my own name or take
yours" For love is very dog in the
manger, and John looked radiant at this
concession. ltwas comfort to know that
il he could not gather the flower himself,
no one else would
A sort of family shipwreck had waited
John to my threshold. Our own house.
hold was sadly brokenup, and found my
self comparatively young in years, with
half invalid father, large house, and very
| little money. What more natural than to
take boarders? And among the first were
Mr. Crawford and his son, and sister, who
had just been wrecked themselves by the
death of the wife and mother in a foreim
land-one of those sudden, unexpected
deaths, that leave the survivors in Il dazed
condition, because it is so difficult to i'm.
agne the gay wording who has been call
ed hence in another state OF being.
Mr.. Crawford was oneof my admirations
from the first. Tall, pale, with dark hair
and eyes, he reminded me of Dante, only
that he was handsomer; and he had such
Il general air of knowing everything worth
knowing without the least pedantry, how,
ever, that was quite afraid of him. He
was evidently wrapped up in John, and
patient with his sister-which was asking
quite enough of Christian charity under
the sun, for Mrs. Shellgrove was an un-
mitigated nuisance. Such talker? bah.
bling of her own and her brothers affairs
with equal indiscretion, and treating the
latter as though he were an incapable in.
| FAINT
They stayed with us three years, and
during that time was fairly prosecuted
about John. Mrs. Shelgrove wrote me a
letter on the subject, In which she inform.
ed me that the whole family were ready
to receive me with open arms-a prospect
that did not find at all alluring. They
seemed to have their hearts set upon me
as person peculiarly fitted to train John
in the way he should go. Everything, |
was told, depended on his getting the
right kind of wife.
A special interview with Mr.. Crawford,
at his particular request, touched me con.
siderably.
~ hope" said he, "that you will not
refuse my boy, Miss Edna. He has set his
heart so fully upon you. and you are
everything that conld desire in daugh-
ter. | want some one to pet. | feel sadly
lonely at times, and | am sure that you
would Just fill the vacant niche.
! drew my hand away from his caress,
and almost felt like hating John Crawford.
Life with him would be one of ease and
luxury; but | decided that | had rather
Nar hoarders.
Not long after this the Cranfords con-
cluded to go to housekeeping, and Mrs.
Shellgrove was In her glory. She always
came to luncheon now in her bonnet, and
gave us minute details of all that had been
done and talked of about the house in the
last twenty-four hours.
at is really magnificent" said she
frightening out each syllable. Brother
has such perfect tastes and he is actually
furnishing the library, Miss Edna, after
your suggestion. You see, we look upon
yOn, Suite. as oAe of the family
That y very good Of you,' ! replied,
| ion of ever helonnincr 10 Il ~