Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-12-31
/ THE GOVERNORS BALL.
siAn Episode of New Years Eve.

HV
AN Episode of New Years Eve.
ITwas our first winter in Springfield. You
know the winters in Illinois are not the most
enjoyable OF the seasons. Yet the change
from the great farm with its absolute isola-
tion to even the muddy surroundings of our
new house in town was, upon the whole,
pleasant.
Our new house was in the outskirts Of the
cty,ne the water-works, which were also
new enough to be novelty to others as well
rs ourselves.
Our father, John Livingstone, came to 1lli-
nois when there were hardships to encounter;
when neghbors were few, and when schools
and churches were wide apart. But, then.
so many others have had the same expert
ence, there is nothing peculiar in that. II
not usual for those sturdy farmers to resign
the care OF their farms and herds for the dull
life Of small towns or even cities like SPRING
field.
''Itis NIL to give you girls better chance,
that he has built that house in the city," was
the explanation given us-sister Kate and
by old Captain Fenwick, a neighbor.
''Then, why don'tyou give your daughters
better chance alsoW was Hates quick re-
tort, f f
s.weR, to tell you the truth,n and he
laughed and hesitated a little, ~ think my
girls have improved their chances quite well
enough. One gone already, and another to
go next month, perhaps. Only Nell left us
then. You young ones don't know how
lonely an old house is when all the girls have
gone out forever"
The old man sighed and turned away his
head ailittle. 1t must be sad to see the last
one go, although we have n fashion of saying
they are glad to get of us.
Those Fenwick girls were bright, pretty
girls, and it was true, as he said, they had
improved their chances well enough.
Sister Kate and were palmer. Not many
beaus came to us; and, somehow. those who
came were the least desirable. There might
have been several grains of truth in Captain
Fenwick's jest that 1t was to give us better
chance, this removal from the city. And we
both silently felt it, too.
"But, Captain, you will send Nellie up to
go with us to the Governors ball at New
Year's." said Kate to him, at parting, and /
joined her in the request.
"Yes, if mother is willing and Nell thinks
she has dress fine enough to appear In
in company with you gay city ladies'"
We are not yet gay city ladies, and you
know very well that she has as fine as we
have"
That was our mutual response.
"Then | think you may expect her, and
good-by.''
Good-by."
The old man went his way, feeling, as we
could see, a little sad Mt the loss of his pretty
girls. He had scarcely gone out of sight be-
fore Iheard /" Hello!' at the gate. You
must know that all farmers keep one or
more dogs, which animals, while they are
kind enough to us, have no love for stran-
gers. =, When We hear q call we go out, since
it would not in ger, raj be safe for any one
to venture inside the yard alone.
This visitor Mt the gate was John Goodwin,
young lawyer from Springfield, who SEEM
ed 10 he more fond OF hunting over the fields
than hunting over his authorities for his
clients cases.
He had gun and some prairie chickens.
"Good morning, Miss Livingstone. IL
your father at home"'
g Good morning, sir. Father is not at
home, but will you come ina'
II / may, for little," he answered, and
fastening his game to the saddle, he came up
the walk to the house.
John Goodwin was not by any means a
stranger; we had known him little for
threeo four years. Common report said
that he was an admirer, II not beau, OF Nell
lie Fenwick's. He certainly visited the Fem
wcks oftener than any other family of the
neighborhood. In fact, he was such pleas
ant, good company that he was welcome any
where among us.
As he came up to the veranda and shook
hands with me, he said, laughing:
~ know you consider me worthless fell
low, Miss Fanny, to be hunting half the
time. have no hope of pardon from you,
but Possibly Miss Kate will be more le-
Kate was just behind me, ready to greet
him. Then we all went into the house.
"And how is Nelly Fenwick to-day?D In
quired Kate. audaciously. ''You have been
there ,sof course"
He fairly blushed under her quizzlng.
Yes, was there, and found her looking
very charming, " he answered.
WAS II Kind OF you TO run away SO soon
But, then, Fan and ought to appreciate the
compliment, since neither of us can be
lled,charming without the grossest flat
tery;n
"But, Miss Kate, you might be doing both
your Sister and yourself gross injustice, you
know.'
He was beginning to recover the lost
ground. sisld d1f.H
"Mr. Goodwin, didn't you meet father
this morning on the Springfield roadr" Kate
suddenly demanded. He was fairly scarlet
under her i'm lertinence. "Yes, | see from
your looks you did; and yet you could come
here and ask his innocent daughters II their
father was at home. Next time when Won
call to see the daughters-and you know we
are always glad TO see yOu-why not ask for
the daughtersV
We were all laughing heartily over his
sudden discontinue, when our father came
"That Is right, young people; laugh while
you may; II Is much the best Here, Fan,
take care OF this for me, please"
He tossed me great roll OF money, and
then sat down TO join In the pleasantly.
Mr.. Livingstone" said John Goodwin,
OF money 50 In your houseY The country is
oyerrup NTH tramps who are bold and des-
perateenougb TO commit any crime, even
murder,to obtain such sum of money as
that.n
Father laughed carelessly.
=" Fan IL my banker, and she has always
kept the cash account correctly. But how
can help II, having now and then large
sums In the houseY When we wish to buy
cattle or stock OF any kind, we can not always
80 to the bank ut the moment for money; We
must have IL ready beforehand"
I" Let W. hope you will never have trouble
from doing so," said Mr.. Goodwin, grayely.
Iput away the money, but could not help
feeling little disturbed at the grave, earn
est look John Goodwin gave me. But, then,
Why feel disturbedf Here was package oi
four thousand dollars, good sumy-but had
not been custodian TO five times that sum
and no harm resulted fromiti
- In two weeks we shall leave the farm
and move into our new house,, said our
father. SIT IL ready now; but new houses
are always damp, and we shall be safer IN II
two weeks hence than now. And, Mr.. Good
win. while speaking OF money, have bought
q small safe for the new house. / am not
afraid TO risk my money out here without q
safe, but IN town you are not all OF you so