West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-05-31
John and |.

Come, John, W said |, Cheerfully, 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 rosa proceeding that al
most reminded me of the geni emerging
from the copper vessel, as he measured six
feet three-and stood looking rcproachfully
down upon me.
You are in great hurry to get rid of
me, - lac said
Now didn't agree with him. for he
had made his usual call Of two hours and
half; having, in country phrase, taken TO
sitting up with me 80 literally that |
was frequently at my wits end TO suppress
the yawn that knew would bring a troop
rushing after it,
He was fine, manly looking fellow, this
John Crawford, old for his age-22-and
every way worthy of beiug loved But
didn't love him. | was seven years his Sc
nior; and when instead of letting the worm
OF concealmcnt prey ON his damask check,
he vcntured TO tell his love for my mature
self, ! remorselessly seized an English
prayer-book, and pointed sternly to the
clause, . man may not marry his grand
mother. That was three years ago;
and | added, encoumgingly. 'besides,
John you are child and don't know your
own mind
If a man Of nineteen doesn't know his
own mind, demonstrated my lover, II
wonld like TO know who should. But |
VII wait for you seven years, if you say
so-fourteen-as Jacob did for Rachel"
You forget, - I replied, laughing at his
way of mending matters, "that a 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
a wife.
The boys eyes flashed Indignantly: and
before ! could devine his intention he lifted
me from the spot where / stood, and carried
me, infant fashion, TO the sofa at the other
end Of the room.
- could almost find it i'm my heart to
shake you'll he muttered, as lac set me
down with emphasis
This was rather like the courtship Of
William Of Normandy, and matters pro-
missed to be quite exciting.
"Don't do that again, said /. with dig
nifty, when ! had recovered my breath.
'Will you marry me ~ asked John,
somewhat threatcningly.
Not just at present. ] replied
"Ihe great handsome fellow, 80 ] thought
Gs he paced the floor rcstlcssy, "why
couldn't he fall in love with some girl of
fifteen, instead Of setting his affections on
an old maid like me? / don't want the boy
on my hands, and won't have himln
As 10 your being twenty six, " pursued
John, in answer 10 my thoughts YOU say
its down in the family Bible, and / sup
pose it must be so but no one would be-
lieve it; and don't care II you're forty.
You look like a girl Of sixteen, and YOU are
the only woman shall ever love"
"Oh, John, John at least five millions
of men have said that same thing before i'm
every known language Nevertheless, when
you fairly break down and cry, I rclent-
for / am digaccfully soft hearted d-and
weakly promise then and there that ! will
either keep my own name or take yours
For love is a very dog in the mangcr, and
John looked radiant at this concession. II
was q comfort to know that IF hc could not
gather the flower himself, no one else
would.
sort of family shipwrock had waited
John 10 my threshold. Our own household
was sadly broken up, and ! found myself
comparatively young iu years with "a half
invalid father, n large house and very little
money what more natural than to- take
boardcTsf And among the first were Mr..
Crawford and ms son and sister, who had
just been wrecked themselves by tho death
of The wife and mother In % foreign land
one of those sudden, unexpected deaths.
that leaves the survivors foo % dazcd coudi-
ton, because 10 is so difficult to imagine the
gay wording who has been called hence To-
another state of being
Mr. Crawford was one OF my admirations
from the nrst Tall pale with dark hair
and eyes he reminded me of Dante. only
That be was handsomcr; and hc had such %
general air of knowing CwilhOu the least
pcdaniry, however,, That / was quite afraid
of him. Tie was evidently wrapped mp in
John, and patient with his sister which
was asking quite enough of Christian chan
ty under the sun, for Mrs SheHgrovc was
au unmitigatcd nuisance. NIch 20 talkcr1
habbng of her own and her brothors ar
fairs with equal indiscrcton, and treating
the latter as though Doe were an incapable iu-
FAINT
They stayed with us three years, and du-
ring The time was fairly porsccuted about
John Mrs ShrIluovc wrote me % letter
on thc subject. boo which she informed mc
That the whole family were ready torcccive
me with open arms "a prospect that ] did