The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-04-03
e#tsreAang.
JOHN AND l.

JOHN AND /.
Come, john" said /, cheerfully, 81
really is time to go; if you stay any longe
shall be afraid to come down and loci
the door after you"
My visitor rosa proceeding that al
ways reminded me of the genius emery
ing from the copper vessel, rs he measure,
SIX feet thrce-and stood looking ieproach
fully down upon me.
You are In great hurry to get rid O
me-" he said.
Now didn't agree with him, for he bat
made his usual call of two hours and ;
half; having, in country phrase. taken {.
sitting up" with me SO literally that
was frequently at my wits end to suppress
the yawn that knew would bring a troo,
rushing after it.
He was a fine, manipulating fellow
this John Crawford, old for his age-whicl
was the rather boyish period Of pam,
every way worthy of being loved. But
didn't love HIM. | was seven wears hi
senior; and when, instead OF letting tn
worm OF concealment prey on his damasi
cheek, he ventured to tell his love for m,
mature self, l remorsely seized an Englisi
prayer-bOok, and pointed sternly to tn,
clause, "A man may not marry his grand
mother. That was three years ago; anC
added, encouraglngly. ''besides, John
you are child and don tknown your owl
mind"
IF man of 10 doesn't know his owl
mind, demonstrated my lover, 81 would
like to know who should. But will wal
fsnvr n
teen-as Jacob did for Rachel"
"You forget, replied, laughing at hi.
way OF mending matters, that woman
does not. like wine, improve with age
But seriously. John, this is absurd; YOU
are a nice boy, and | like you-but nv
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, lnfant-fashion, to the sofa at
the other end of the room.
II could almost find it in my heart 10
shake you'll" he muttered, as he set me
down with emphasis.
This was rather like the courtship Of
William of Normandy, and matters prom
lsed to be quite exciting.
Don't dc that again saidI, with dig
nifty, when had recovered my breath.
"Wlll you marry me?" asked John.
somewhat threatenlngly.
Not Just at present, / replied.
THE great handsome fellow, " thought
as he paced the floor restlessly, "why
couldn't he fall in love with some girl Of
Is. instead Of setting his affections on an
old maid like me? | don't want the boy
on my hands, and won't have him!"
"As to your being 49," pursued John,
In answer to my thoughts, .'you saw its
down in the family Bible, and suppose il
must be 80; but no one would believe il:
and l don't care if you're 40. You look
like girl OF 16, and you are the only wo.
man shall ever love-"
"Oh, 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. I re-.
Ient-for am disgracefully soft-heartcd-
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. II was a comfort to know that
if 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 broken up, and found nv
self comparatively young in years. with a
half Invalid father, a large house. and very
little money. What more natural than 70
take boarders? And among the first were
Mr.. Crawford and his son, and sister who
had just been wrecked themselves hv the
death Of the wife and mother in a fore;vn
land-o Of those sudden, unexpected
deaths, that leave the survivors in a da,ed
condition, because it is so difficult IN i'm
agine the gay wording who has been call.
ed hence in another state of being.
Mr.. Crawford was one of my admira,ions
from the first. Tall, pale. with dark hair
and eyes, he reminded me of Dante. only
that he was handsomer; and he had such
a general air Of knowing everything worth
knowing without the least pedantry. how
ever), that Twas 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 nm
mitlgated nuisance. Such n 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. 40
They stayed with us three years. and
during that time | was fairly persecuted
about John. Mrs. Shellgrove wrote me |
etter on the subject, In which she inform
I'd me that the whole family were ready |
o receive me with open arms prospect |
hat did not find at all al,uring. They |
seemed to have their hearts SCI upon me |
Is person peculiarly fitted 10 train John |
N the way he should 60. Everything. |
Eas told. depended on his getting the /
light kind Of wife.
A special interview with Mr.. Crauford. |
L has particular request, touched me con-
hope. said he, that you will not
'eiuse my boy, Miss Edna. He has set his
ieart so fully upon you. and Won are
'rerything that | could desire in a dauyh-
er- | want some one 10 pet. feel sadly
onely at times. and | am sure that Won
ronld just ill the vacant niche"
drew nv hand away from his cansss-
nd almost felt like hating John Crawford
lie with him would be one of Ease and
nxury; but |! decided that ] had rather
reH hnAniers
Not long after this the Cranforis con.
inded to go to housekeeping. and Mrs.
'heilgrove Was N her glory She always
anne to luncheon now in her boanet. and
ave US inmate details Of all that had been
one and talked of about the house in the
ist s~enfy-four hours. l.
1t is really magnificent" said she |
out each syllable. ''Bzcthesi