River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-05-01
JOHN AND l.

"Comc, John,n said I, cbeerfully. sit
really is time to go if you stay any long
er shall he afraid to come down and
lock the door after you.n
NV visitor rose-a proceeding that al
WAYS reminded me of the genie emerg-
ing from the copper vessel, es he measur-
ed 6 feet 3-and stood looking reproach-
fully down upon me.
You 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 Inc 50 literally that
was frequently az my wits end to sup
press the yawu that knew would bring
a troop rushing after it.
lie was a fine manly looking fellow,
this John Crawford, old for his age
which was the rather bogish period OF IL
and every way woithy Of being loved.
But don't love him. ] was seven years
his senior: and when, instead OF letting
the worm of coneealment prey on his
damask cheek, he ventured to tell his love
for my mature self, remorseless'y seized
an English prayer book and pointed
s-ernly TO the clause, "a man may not
marry his grandmother That was three
wears ago: and added eneouragipgly,
"besides, John, you are child, and don't
know your own mind.
Ifaman of 10 don't know his own
mind" demonstrated my lover, Il would
like to know who should. But will
wait for YOU seven years, if you say So
fourteen-as Jacob did Tor Rachel"
"You forgot" / replied, laughing al his
wav 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 q
mother than a wife.
The BOYS eyes flashed Indignantly
and before could divine his intention
he had lifted me from the spot where |
stood. and carried nae, infant-fashion, 10
the sofa at the other end Of the room.
II could almost fad it in my heart TO
shake youl' be mnttered. as be sat me
down with emphasis.
This was rather like the courtship Of
William OF Normandy, and matters prom
ised TO be quite exciting.
'.DOn { 40 tittt ds1Ahs 1asAa - "AeA
dignity. when had recovered my breath,
sWiil you marry mefH asked John
somewhat threatsningly.
Mot lust at present., | replied. j
sort of family shipwreck had waited
John to my threshold. Oar own heuse-
| hold ssas sadly broken up, and / found
| ravsslt comparatively young in years
with a half invalid father, q large house
and very little money. Whist more
natural than u take boaTderss Ane
among the first we're Mr. Crawford an
his son and sister, who had jsst beer
wrecked themselves by the death OF tn
wife and mother IN foreign had.
Mr.. Crawford was one OF my admir-
ers from the fFrt. Tall, pale, will
dark hair and eyes, he reminded ne g
Dante only that be was handsomer, AMI
be had sucf q general sir of knowing
everything worth knowing without tn
least pedantry. however,, that was quit
IF sa.d Of him. He was evidently wrap
| be up in John. and patient with hi
| Il; ter-which was asking quite enougl
81 Christian charity under the sun, 70
Mrs. Shellgrove was an nnmitigate'
nuisance.
Tney STAYED with us three years, an
Il during HAT time I was fairly perzecute'
about John. They seemed % have thai
i hearts set upon me as Il person pecuslaTI
ftfed Ia train john in the way he Shout
I 20. EVERYTHING, | was told, depeude
Il en- his getting the right kind Of Wit
Il A special interview with Mr. Iranf :