The Newtown bee., 1880-02-25
DOLLY AND I

When 1 first started in life, it was in the small establishment of Mir. Brusle stationer.
 It was not a very remunerative situa- tion, but old MT. Brusle was a kind old man, Mrs. Brusle a nice, talkative old lady, and Dolly Brusle often came into the shop and stood behind the counter beside me.
 Dear little Dolly; she had brown eyes, and dimple on her chin, and she sang like a prima donna.
 Old MT. Brusle and my father had been friends, and I was not servant only, but privileged friend as well, and all the excuse l needed for staying every night was given in the words: l want to hear the singing" Well, any one might have wanted to hear it, for that matter--not merely a boy who was in love. Things went on in this way for three years, when, one afternoon, old Mir. Brusle, shutting the draw of bis desk with bang, said:
 Its n use, Tom, may as we'll give l shall break up the business. The old woman and l can manage on what we have, with only one child, and can rest andsstop fidgeting. suppose Dolly can teach little too. and she can have some finery in that way. But the old shop is a mockery, and I've known it a good while"
 So that was the end of that Arcadian
 The stock and fixtures were sold out, and the shop was altered into parlor; and I wrote to my uncle in London, who had promised to take me into his business if I wished it, and he tele- graphed:
 "Come next week"
 And then, one day, I asked Dolly to walk down into the meadows, and see if the black kberries were ripe.
 We took two little baskets, and the berries were hanging plump and large and purple-black; but before we picked one, drew her to quiet place under the great chestnut and put my arm about her waist, and said:
 Dolly, you know just how l feel to you, don't youP You know I love you"
 She nestled up to me little closer, and took both her tiny hands in mine.
 Will you wait for me a little whil e, Dollyp" said "Will you think that
 am doing my best all the time to bring the day nearer when I can ask your father to give you to me?"
 Yes, Tom, I'll wait"
 And then we picked the blackberres and went home through the meadows
 even not speak of it yet, Tom, said Dolly. At horne, I mean they think me such a child yet. don't l want to break the charm. In time they will guess that Pm woman; and they like you, Tom"
 The evening passed sw iftly. I arose to go.
 "God bless your' said the old man. pressed my lips to Dolly's forehead
 In that moment of parting, the olf folks thought it only natural.
 And then was gone.
 My trunk had b cen at the station fo hours.
 I heard the whistle of the train; saw the red glare of the monsters eye I heard the snort and the tramp.
 He was ready for me, and the cit
 and it's whirl awaited me.
 For while I was bewildered in tn : city, then very busy, then flushed wit . the prospect of being rapidly advance q > and of being able to ask Dolly to be my | wifa uoonar than I evpnctpd e Iwrote her joyous letters. t She wrote pleasant ones back to me.
 We did not make them open love
 etters. but both understood the love a # ne bottom of them. y And so the months glided by. !, For the first half year I had no holi ' day.
 ,r Then a grudgingly given week wa
 granted me. and I visited my frienc | nd had glorious time. " Dolly was lovelier than ever. I She walked over 10 the station wit sr me when left, leaning on my arm. re The train had not come in yet-tl a. one for London, but the other had S down some passengers from the city.
 l l" SGCub ScIltlCihdl1 oA yo To dressed in fine style, having given h IT. portmanteau to porter, advanced ,y Dolly.
 n How do you do, Miss BrasleP" sa = he.
 es one held out her hand shyly. CT How do you do, Mir. HollyP Tor 'e. this is MT. Holly. Mir. Holly, M nd Hearn."
 H. He bowed; so did I. But the fello 'i- had such an air with him that l hat ,u- him.
 Ia, How did she know himp of had never seen him before. to Wno IS he?" asked I, in whispt 'n- as the porter called MT. Holly back an directions. ne lie nas Something to do with t of opera, think. ; said Dolly. ept Then came the shriek of the whis ed. at the station.