River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-02-06

off the hat of the lad who was standing
next to him, and then they all laughed
louder than ever.
Here comes Jack Bean" said Charley
''now we shall hear something about her
for Jack was coming by the Squire'I
~ en- she got out of the chaise. How doei
she look, JackSn
"Handsome as picture" said Jack
81 ha'nt seen prettier gal since las
Thanksgiving Day, when Jane Ford wa:
here to visit Susan Jones"
"Black eyes or blue2" said Charles.
"Blue.n said Jack, "but all. fired bright.
Tall or shortln said Stephen Jones
who was rather short himself, and there
fore felt a particular interest ON thai
point.
"Rather short, " said Jack, "but straight
and round as your young colt"
"Do you know what her name isl" said
Charles.
"They called her Lucy when she go
out of the chaise," said Jack, ''and as Mis-
Johnson's name was Brown before she
was married, s'pose her name must be
Lucy Brown
"Just such a name as / like" said
Charles Robinson "Lucy Brown sounds
we'll. Now suppose. in order to get &C,
quainted with her, we all hands take 4
sail tomorrow night, about this time, on
the pond, and invite her to go with us.
agreed" said Stephen Jones.
agreed" said Jack Bean.
agreed" said all hands.
The question then arose, who should
carry the invitation to her; and the young
men being rather bashful on that score
it was finally settled that Susan Jones
should bear the invitation, and accompany
her to the boat where they should al be
in waiting to receive ner. The next day
was very long day, at least to some OF
the Young men of Pond village; and
promptly, an hour before sunset, most OF
them were assembled. with half score
of their sisters and female cousins, bv a
little stone wharf on the margin of the
pond, for the proposed sail.
All the girls in the village, OF suitable
age, were there, except Patty Bean. She
had undergone good deal of fidgeting
and fussing during the day TO prepare
for the sail, but had been disappointed.
Her new bonnet was not done; and as tn
wearing her old flabsided bonnet, she de-
cared she would not, if she never went.
Presently Susan Jones and Miss Lucy
Brown were seen coming down the road.
In moment all were hushed, and each
one put on his best looks. When they
arrived Susan went through the cere-
mony of introducing Miss Brown to each
of the ladies and gentlemen present.
''But how in the world are you going
to sail2" SAID Miss Brown, "for there is
not breath of wind and l don't see any
sailboat either"
"Oh, the less wind we have the better
when we sail here" said Charles Robin
son, sand there is our sailboa.," pointing
to flat bottomed scow boat, some TWEEN
ty feet long by ten wide.
.'We don't use no sails" said Jack
Bean ''sc metimes, when the wind is fair,
we put up bush TO help pull along
little, and when 'tisn't, we row."
The party were soon embarked on board
the scow, and couple of oars were set
in motion, and they glided slowly and
over as lovely sheet of water
IS ever glowcd in the sunset'ing ray In
one hours time the whole party felt per
fectly acquainted with Miss Lucy Brown.
She had talked in the most lively and
manner; she had told stories
and sung songs. Among others, she had
given Moore boat song, with the sweet
est possible effect, and by the time they
had returned to the landing, it would
hardly be too much to say that half the
young men in the party were decidedly
IN love with her.
A stern regard TO truth requires re-
mark to be made here, not altogether ia
Jorable to Susan Jones, which is the more
70 be regretted, as she was in the main
IN excellent girl, and highly esteemed
Oy the wnoe village. 1t was observed
hat as the company grew more and
more pleased with Mss Lucy Brown,
Susan Jones was less and less animated,
ill at last she became quite reserved,
md apparently sad. She, however, on
andinc treated Miss Brown with respect
ul attention, accompanied her home to
Squire Johnson's door, and cordially
oade her good night.
The casual glimpses which the young
men OF Pond village had of Miss Brown
Turing the remainder of the week, as
she occasionally stood at the door, OF
ooked out at the window, or once or
vice when she walked out with Susan
tones, and the fair view they all had of
Ter at meeting on the Sabbath, served
o increase their admiration, and render
ler more an object of attraction. She
was regarded by sill as prize, and sew
sral were already planning what steps 1t
was best to take in order to win her. The
-wo most prominent candidates, however,
.cr Miss Browns favor, were Charles
Robinson and Stephen Jones. Their po-
,ition and standing among the young
men of the village seemed to put all 9TH
srs 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-
He had more talent, was
more sprightly and intelligent, and more
pleasing in his address. From the even
ing of the sail on the pond, they had
Doth 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 movplent 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.
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-
atelv to take charge of it. This annouce-
nent at first threw something of 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 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 impatiently 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 10 wait longer, and
they had both resolved not to let another
Sabbath pass without making direct
to Miss Brown.