Litchfield enquirer., 1879-08-21

StfdlSHIW way nave gOlu Her htiSUdilu duu LdGucI, and the engagement would have been talked about in the family. Indeed, Miss Jessie had depended upon the coming of letter to di-, vulge her secret to her sister. But when none came it was buthuman thatindignation should settle down upon her heart, and silence upon her lips. t,. fa ,....,... 4,.,-5,,t ......,.t,..
 So she departed, leaving but brief note, which was to give her neglectful lover her Minnesota address, ''should he desire to make use of it. .. ..,E .- ., < ..- .,,,t.. ...f
 This note called forth prompt, awkward apology from the erring Strong, which was re- ceived and pardoned-both the conduct and letter-in graceful and lengthy epistle from Miss Bloomer. Indeed it was such a pretty letter that it inspired the recipient with glow of pride in being able to claim the charming writer as his own. He carried it in his breast pocket, and read it many times. and on the following Sunday retired to his room inlmedi- 'ately after breakfast, and wrestled with an answer during the greater part of the day. He began by informing her that her flavor of last Monday was received, and contents duly not ed" Then he was glad to learn that she had reached home safely, and that she had found all we'll there he was also glad that she had not mentioned their engagement to her sister before leaving Chicago, as the fellows would all have had their remarks to make, and it would be just as we'll to give them good sur prise one of these days; and should he write to her father?, He supposed she knew the great news about Jack and Gordon going into a partnership and setting up in St. Louis the next week. He would try te get off some time near Christmas and visit her. In the mean time she must tell him what kind of ring she would like. Business was beginning to hurry him, and she must not always wait to ansaoer letters, but write to him often, and Io ,a1 tf,,Ix ok4
 AS an ordinary letter it was a study, but as a love-letter not success. Still, Miss Jessie understood his difficulties, read the most read able passages to her dear friend and confidante proceeded to make hero of her future husband, and did as he desired about writing often. ... . ..5r .- -,-..f. . Almost any reasonably good fellow can be idealized into hero by simply setting himself upon pedestal in the heart of an imaginative affectionate young girl, and then leaving her. First of all he will be a hero because it is nec- essary for her to have one to worship; then he is hers, he has given himself to her in prefer ence to any of the thousand other women he has seen, and by that act alone has shown himself superior to the thousand other men whom she has see. He may be trifle dull in conversation, and more than a tride dull in his letters, and withal somewhat neglectful of her; but then he is absorbed in the affairs of the world, and what would become of these same worldly affairs if he took no interest in them SO she cheerfully accepts him as he is, and stands just little in awe of him, because he understands matters into which she cannot enter. He may be rather taciturn, but in that case he has the veritable grand seigneur style and is all the more admirable for it. Under any and all circumstances her common clay turns to finest marble and she worships her nd oil hor to Gp before the shrine.
 Now even on the slight acquaintance my readers have with MT. Strong I'm sure they will agree with me in the verdict that he was not of the stuff from which heroes are usually made. He was not built of very fine clay, nor of sounding brass ; he was more-judging him impartially like bass-wood image than any thing in the idol line: but such as he was, Miss Jessie had not been parted from him a month before she had him enthroned, with in- numerable tapers glimmering through the clouds of incense constantly burning about him.
 How sad to think that he was so soon to cast himself down from that pedestal! Or did fate do the deed :? I'm more than half in- clined to think he was only a tool in the hands of memorable destiny, for years after, when he told me the whole story, he came as near weeping as a Chicago coal merchant could
 He twisted his hands together, and turned about on the little finger of his left hand a magnificent diamond ring (which was bought for much fairer hand); he groaned aloud and swore that greater blockhead than he never lived, and in every way showed the liyeliest remorse. To justify him as much as possible with my readers, I'm going to let him finish the story for himself, and they will be convinc- ed of his sincerity.
 ''l arranged my business SO as to get away for couple of weeks about Christmas wrote her l was comin:,, but did not say just when, as was so uncertain. l was just going little beyond her home, too before 1 returned to visit some of my mothers relatives. wanted to see poor little Jessie very much; {; indeed did: but dreaded to meet the old folks, and all her girl friends, and the whole village; so when 1 got on the train to start, and met friend who was going hunting in uncles neighborhood, decided to go right on with him, make my visit there first. and then visit Jessie on my way back to Chicago. thought I'd gather courage in the mean time to meet her folks.
 ''l found my friends very glad to sec me, and the first week of my vacation slipped away without my realizing it. Then thought I'd send line and fix a day for starting. I didn't get chance to write that day; and the next, when 1 sat down and began, found it rather awkward to tell her that had come right past her station to see other friends first, so concluded not to write, but just step in the next day when she wasn't expecting to see me- That very night terrific snow-storm came, and there wasn't train to be seen for forty y-eight hours, The last one that went through brought me a letter from my partner ip Chicago, urging me back as soon as possi- ble, as we were likely to meet with heavy loss. The letter. decided me to take the first train that came, and get to Chicago as soon as possible. I fully intended to dispatch my business there, and the moment could get away, to take three days and visit that poor little girl. Of course couldn't write and tell her how I'd been loafing within a hundred miles of her for nearly two weeks Is. la.
 When got to Chicago found affairs bad ly mixed up, and it was two weeks more be- fore they were strengthened. It was so har- rassed all that time that writing was out of the question with me. 1 never was much of a letter way, and least of all in the. line of friendly correspondence But I had thought of my behavior every day, and can, assure you l didn't respect myself any the more for my convictions.
 '''The very night that my business was com pleted I received this letter from Miss Bloom er;" and he handed me little missive from out his note book. It ran thus ......sao. T..
 MIR, STRONG. After receiving your last let ter, nearly month ago, I expected you daily. But need scarcely say ,nowr that Ihave learn ed from q t,'ue friend that you passed through Forestvflle tsctce last month, that do not ex- pect you Gt adiaaq @tlToFaf sfa .o as@7Ha @ l
 Your conduct has sibeen very. singular, to say the least, and l do not understand it. Do not. please, imagine that am breaking my heart over the matter, for am not only congratulate myself upon myself upon my happy escape from man who has so little re- gard for his word. Tays4g s15 s'si 7'f5.s '! ia '7''Trusting that your ways will be more. straightforward in the future, Jfor you 2 oson good,
 'I am, respectfully, yours. ;T0 '@.ei 4.i5 To aT a& 9s71oa 9dl .ti. JESSIE BLooMRR"
 Pretty severe, isn't it?" he asked, as I fin- ished. "But deserved it. .,s'sYes, you deserved it," replied, handing it back. t'What did you do to clear your self ?" .- F s-..,-f..t- t.,..-... ..... ..., "-t1 wrote and told her the whole thing, but received my letter back, along with the others l had written, and little slip of paper, upon which she merely said that poor excuse was better than none but must pardon her if she declined to accent It."