Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-11-17

"Now, father!'' leproachfully. "My
friend John-let me introduce yor
father. You see [ call him MI. John
because | don't know his other name
My friend is very skillful sailor; ano
his boats O perfect beauty. / have
made up my mind TO have one just like
it on our lake at home; and, of course
/ must learn how it is managed"
eyes, of course, you must have youl
own way. But / will apologize to your
him, and promise that it shall not occur
again.
"But we are to go sailing every day;
it's all arranged!'' exclaimed the maid,
excitedly.
The father stole a sharper glance at
John than he was accustomed to give to
bystanders, and was evidently by no
means satisfied by his daughters pro-
ceedings. But the custom of yielding
was too strongly fixed; with the look of
sorrowfll man he turned away.
" Good-by, john"
John did not look up. He was con-
sciorls that he >blushed, I believe; and
with a hasty good-by he pushed off the
the bow, caught the breeze full on the
quarter, and sped away home.
The boys at the camp knew nothing of
this adventure, for John was as silent
as ever about his affairs, but in few
days it was discovered that the young
skipper had good reason for his period
ical excursions; and straightway the
swell of the class, an unbearable fop and
noodle whom we called "Fuzzy," was
full of expedients for an introduction.
John, who, in common with the rest of
us, despised the fellow, was by no
means DESTROYS of assisting him. Thus
the boys laughed heartily at Master
Coxcomb's discontinue, until, one day,
as John and his friend were sitting on the
pier, he sauntered up to them with
young lady whom he had found WILLING,
to present him.
Now John, according to his own adj
mission, was quite in love. This fact
was strongly suspected at the camp, and
for the sake of poking fun at John, was
even taken for granted by the boys
there. Fuzzy came back to the camp
highly delighted with his success. He
was rich while John was poor. 1t was
expected that his acquaintance would
prove anything but favorable to the
prospects of our friend. His rival
could sing and play beautifully, while
John only growled little in the bass
and would not for the world go on the
floor. Besides, as he afterwards learned,
his class-mate had sneeringly alluded
to the fact that he was a poor farmers
son and was enabled to enter college
through the hberaliry of rich relation.
He resolved to settle the affair once for
all, SO he popped the question.
His passenger did not blush or cry.
She turned little pale and became
silent suddenly; then asked for time and
said she would answer In two days. The
rest of the excursion was rather mourn
full; Johns heart had sunk. He knew
it was all up with him. The next day
it rained and was cold. John groaned
silently all day. Then on the following
afternoon he went up to the hotel to
take his passenger out for the last time
They had jolly ride, notwithstand-
ing the on-coming cloud. When both
got through laughing and became So
Der, she told him her decision. 1t was
unfavorable. Shehad thought all it over
carefully, and was sure she done right.
Ii she repented, she would surely write
to him, wherever he might be. That
was all: only she thanked him for his
kindness and wished him the best of
success.
John didn't kiss her at parting; he
just shook hands and turned away
There was some consolation in knowing
that she would always think of him, and
know his whereabouts. But he was
pretty sick lad for a few days. until he
received two notes, from the father and
daughter:
g am informed by your friend that
you are the son of poor farmer and
without patrimony or position. OF
course / could by no means agree to
such a marriage as you would like to
bring about. My daughter has seen
the folly of the case. I hope you may
have the good sense to see it, also.
She incloses line to you"
SO did love you at first, but father is
quite right. It is best that we should
part. May you always be happy"
John refolded the notes and carefully
put them away. "Short and not very
sweet" he muttered with sickly smile.
Then he locked the secret up well in his
breast; and only little time of brooding
over the motives which had led to his re-
lection made his love grow cold and his
memory to forget the maiden who had
Tilted him. Six years thus passed, dur
ing which time he neither saw the girl
nor heard of her.
The years had made noticeable
change in our friend John. He was now
holding high position in the office of
city newspaper, and when he re-enter-
ed the little cottage city of cannping-o
memory no one at the hotel or on the
beach recognized him. He thought
everybody of the olden time had desert
ed the place, when, suddenly, he ound
one morning, in the dining-room, none
other than the overgrown image of his
old love. She did not recognize him at
all.
It was with difficulty that John could
believe his eyes, SO changed was the
girl of former years. But the appear
a