The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-05

"A StcIu IcSdIu " IIuLu 4uAAOS @ AO-
mark to be made here, not altogether IA
vorable to Susan Jones, which is the more
to be regretted, as she was in the main
an excellent girl, and highly esteemed
py the wnole village. 1t was observed
that as the company grew more and
more pleased with Miss Lucy Brown,
Susan Jones was less and less animated,
till at last she became quite reserved,
and apparently sad. She, however, on
landing treated Miss Brown with respect
tul attention, accompanied her home to
Squire Johnson's door, and cordially
babe her good night. 1
The casual glimpses which the young
men OF Pond village had of Miss Brown
during the remainder of the week, as
she occasionally stood at the door. or
looked out at the window, or once or
| twice when she walked out with Susan
Jones, and the fair view they all had of
her at meeting on the Sabbath, served
| to increase their admiration, and render
her more an object of attraction. She
was regarded by all as prize, and sew.
eral were already planning what steps it
was best to take in order to win her. The
two most prominent candidates, however,
for Miss Browns favor, were Charles
Robinson and Stephen Jones. Their po-
sition and standing among the young
men of the village seemed to put all 9th
ers In the background. Charles, whose
father was wealthy, had every advantage
which money could procure. But Steph-
en-, though poor, had decidedly the adj
vantage over Charles in personal recon-
mendations. He had more talent, was
more sprightly aud intelligent, and more
pleasing in his address. From the even
ing of the sail on the pond, they had
both watched every movement of Miss
Brown with the most intense interest;
and, as nothing can deceive lover, each
had, with an interest no less intense,
watched every movment of the other.
They had ceased to speak to each other
about her, and if her name was men
toned in their presence, both were al
ways observed to color. n 49,
The second week after her arrival,
through the influence Of Squire johnson,
the district school on the other side Of the
pond was offered to Miss Brown, which
offer was accepted, and she went immedi-
ately to take charge of it. This annouce-
ment at first threw something ola damper
upon the spirits Of the young people of
Pond village. But when it was under
stood the school would continue, but a
mile and a half distant, and Miss Brown
, would come home every Sabbath, it was
, not very difficult to be reconciled to the
temporary arrangement The week wore
away heavily, especially to Charles
Robinson and Stephen Jones. They
counted the days i'm patiently till Satur-
day, and on Saturday they counted the
long and tagging hours till noon. They
! had both made up their minds that it
would be dangerous to wait longer, and
/ they had both resolved not to let another
: Sabbath pass without making direct
/ proposals to Miss Brown.
Stephen Jones was too early riser fol
Charles Robinson, and in any enterprise
where both were concerned, was pretty
s sure to take the lead, except where money
s could carry the pain, and then, of course
it was always borne away by Charles
;. AS Miss Lucy had been absent most o.
t the week, and was to be at home tina
8 afternoon, Charles Robinson had made
an arrangement with his mother anc
sisters to have little tea party in tn.
y evening, for the purpose of inviting Mis-
J, Brown; and then, Of course, he should
: walk home with her in the evening; anc
t thec, OF course, would be a good oppor
tunity to break the ice, ard make known
It to her his feelings and wishes. Stephel
Jones, however, was more prompt in hi
d movements. ae had sot wind of tn
proposed tea party, although himself am
It sister, tor obvious reasons, had not bee
s. Invited, and he resolved not to risk tn
e arrival Of Miss Brown, and her visit t.
e Mr. R >binson's before he should see he1
Sheswould dismiss her school at moor
d and come the distance of a mile and
Is half round the pond, home. His min
: was at once made up. He would g
a round and meet her at the school house
n and accompany her on her walk home
- There, in that winding road around thos
delightful waters, with the tall and shad
trees overhead, and the wild grapevine
d ing to the branches, while the wild bird
g were singing through the woods and th
e, wild ducks playing in the coves alon
IS the shore, surely there, If anywhere 1
y the world, could man bring his mind t
,e the point of speaking of love-.
" Accordingly, little before moor
Of Stephen washed and brushed himself w
ID and put on his Sunday clothes, and star
of ed on his expedition. In order to avoi
re observation, he took a back route acros
the fields, intending to come into th
ne road by the pond, little out from tn
village. As i'll luck would have i
lie Charles Robinson had been out in tn
1e same direction, and was returning wit
lg an armtul Of green boughs and vii
re flowers to ornament the parlor for til
d. evening; He saw Stephen and notice
to his dress, and the direction he was goin
e. and he at once smoked the whole bus
1t. ness. His first impulse was to rush upc
cy him and collar him, and demand that
d. should return back. But then he 1eco
ch lected that in the last scratch he ha
ey with Stephen, two or three years b
e. fore, he had a little the worst of it, an
oh he instinctively stood still, while S:ephe
passed on without seeing him. It fasl
ng ed upon his Mid at once that the Que
is ton must now be reduced to game
ny speed. IF he could by any means ga
the schoolhouse first, and engage Mi