The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-06-17
John and |.

"Come, John" said I, chcerfully, cit
really is time to go; if you stay any longer
| shall be afraid to come down and lock the
door after you"
My visator rosc-a proceeding that al
most reminded me of the geni emerging
from the copper vessel, as he measured six
feet three-and stood looking reproachfully
down upon me.
"fou are in great hurry to yet rid of
me, " he said
Now l 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 NE so literally that I
was frequently at my wits end to suppress
the yawn that l knew would bring a troop
rushing after it.
John Crawford, old for his age-22-and
every way worthy of beiug loved. But
didn't love HIM. I was seven years his Sc
nior; and when instead of letting the worm
OF concealment prey on his damask check,
he ventured 10 tell his love for my mature
self, l remorselessly seized an English
prayer-book, and pointed stcrnly to the
clause, "a man may not marry his grand
mother" That was three years ago;
and l added, encouragingly. ''bcsides
John you are child and don't know your
own mind"
SIT man Of nineteen doesn't know his
own mind" demonstrated my lover, ''I
wonld like to know who should. But I
VIII wait for you seven years, if you say
so--fourteen-as Jacob did for Rachel"
"You forget" replied, 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 mother than
wife,"
The boys eyes flashed Indignantly; and
before l could devine his intention he lifted
me from the spot where stood, and carried
HE, infant fashion, to the sofa at the other
end of the room.
81 could almost find it In my heart to
shake youl' he muttered, as he set me
down with emphasis.
This was rather like the cou ship of
William of Normandy, and matters pro-
missed to be quite exciting.
"Don't do that again, said I, with dig
nifty, when had recovered my breath.
"Will you marry me7' asked John,
somewhat threateningly.
mot just at present" replied.
"The great handsome fellow, I thought,
is he paced the floor rcstlessy, "why
couldn't he fall in love with some girl of
fifteen, instead of setting his affections on
an old maid like me2 / don't want the boy
on my hands, and I won't have himl"
GAS to your being twenty-six," " pursued
John, In answer to my thoughts "you say
it's down in the family Bible, and l sup
pose it must be so; but no one would be-
lieve it; and Idon't care If you're forty.
You look like a girl Of sixteen, and you arc
the only woman shall ever love"
tsOh, john, John at least five millions
Of men have said that same thing before in
every known language. Nevertheless, when
you fairly break down and cry, relent,-
j for I am digracefullyi soft-hearted- land
weakly promise then and there that will
either keep my own name or take yours. y
For love is very dog in the manger, and
John looked radiant at this concession, II
was comfort to know that If he could not
gather the flower himself, no one olse
would
A sort of family shipwreck had waited
John to my threshold. Our own household
was sadly broken up, and ! found myself
comparatively young in years, with hall
iuFbiiA lhtucl> u siuiSc llOuSo anu very llJClt
money. What more natural than to take
boardcrs3 And among the first were Mr.
Crawford and his son, and sister, who hat
Just been wrecked themselves by the deatl
of tho wife and mother IN a foreign land
one Of those sudden, unexpected deaths
that leaves tho survivors In a dazcd condi
tion, because 1t is so difficult to imagine tll'
!. gay wording who has been called hence K
another state of being. l0,t e-,ag ~ 1
n Mr.. iCranford was one Of my, admiration
from the nrst. Tall, pale, with dark hal
and eyes, he reminded me of Dante, onl!
that he was handson1er; and he hid such
general air Of knowing (wltliout the leas
pedantry, however,, that was quite afrai'
OF him., He was evidr ntly wrapped up Il
John, and patient with his sistcr-~whicl
was asking quite enough of Christian clarl
ty under. the sun, for Mrs, Shellgrove wa
an untnitigated nuisance. Such a talker
babbling of her own and her brothers af
fairs with equal indiscfetion, aud treatln
thelatter as though he were ON incapable IN
fant. st',s@ & AZ 5fat
They stayed with lis three years, and du
ring the time was fairly persecited abo,l
( John, Mrs. Shellgrove wrote me q lette
on the subject, In which she informed M
that the whole family were ready to receiy
fn0 with omen arlnS-a prospect that di