Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-11-03
Lofty Bancroft s Story.

ain Only siAleen- nave hair that
really is wonderfully black and and curly.
and, big black eyes. Everybody calls he
handsome, and l suppose what everybody
SAYS must be true. l Can play on the piano,
sing, dance, make wax flowers and en-
broidery. In fact I'm really quite an accom-
plIshed girl | don't know that ought to
feel cut out by any one. l had the prize
for French last quarter, and 1 can r.cIte
beautifully. So you see when Laura
Roder said | was vain she just showed her
own meanness and did not tell the truth.
Pa and ma have been away from home
for three years. Mas health was delicate
and travel was recommended. OF course
miss them, but ma writes that she's greatly
improved. and they are gong 70 bring me
home little Geneva watch and set of
pearls, gloves IIom Paris, and silk from
Bruxelles and meanwhile, am living
with my Aunt Annette.
NJ Aunt Annette is an old maid of thirty
don't think she's pretty-just ordinary,
gray eyes and brown hair, and she's so
prim. Lots of things the girls do that |
never heard any one speak aga before,
she calls wrong" told o,lce that
die Mt wonder she never got married, and
abe said that flirting and behaving like a
fool would never marry any girl
/ never was so watched befOre--not but
that Aunt Annette is nice too and once
had wished had minded her. That was
when We went off after school to row on
the HudsoD-I and ] lily Moore, and Jane
Barlow, and E:fie Lee, with Tom Martin,
and Ed. Raymond, and Charlie Sparks.
And the boys managed TO get the boat
straight before great steamer and couldn I
manage to row out of her way. We were
upset. Poor Etfie and Tom Martin were
drowned; the rest OF US were just saved ::
and Jane and TilIy, were taken away from
Miss Pratt's school; and they said Ed. Ray
mond was delirious for month, and raved
aboat drowning all the while.
AS for me The first knew after l heard
the girls shrek, and felt myself si.king
into the water, was in bed at home, and
aunt and doctor were standing by me,
and he was saying:
'.My dear Miss Bancroft, don't distress
yourself any more. Your niece will do
very well now. There's no danger Of her
dying-none whatever.
And then Auuty began to cry. She
never scolded ne bit, and petted me like
q baby, which was more than deserved
The doctor came two or three times
day, and when / felt well enough to look
at him saw what splendid MAN he was.
About five-and- thirty, and so handsome. 1t
was really delightful to be attended by him
and he was twice as attentive as any other
doctor | had ever had. To be sure, had
not had one since had the measles, when
was only little girl Of twelve and
supposed handsome young lady must be
more interesting than child But he came
two or three times day, and brought gifts
of flowers and fruit sometimes; and when
he still came after [ was able to be about,
suddenly the truth flashed on me- began
to feel that he was in love with me- de
was nat one of those poor doctors "no
have hard work 10 live; he was nen
man. for he had large fortune LEFT him
by Lis grandfather, and he practlced nleoi
cine for the love Of II, and that, you know
n.s o,,;,e romantic. And go ! had made
I'D my mind-though he was little oia
and poky, and high flown, and not so fuil
Of fun as Ed. Raymond-that I'd have hlin
when he asked me. He used to come and
ask us to walk, about this time, and 'aAe
IA TO concerts. did think Aunt AnEe.'e
m,obt have had sense enough to say sne
was too busy to 90, or something. vi eourse
he only asked her out of politeness' anu
wrote to all my dear friends about his u'-
votiou. and about Aunt Annette In he'e'
leaving us for moment alone together
HE never will have chance " P,o
oose.o often said but the cnanoe W.
rome one day. Somebody asked Aunt
Annette TO dine with them, and hla n0' AsA
mo snd I was at home, hoping tha' s'ine-
how fate would enlighten DR.. Marsn as -. y
the " oondi,ien 1a of things, and send him over
when the door-bell rang, ana 'n''
really was ,.d
The ladies at homer" be asked.
Miss Bancroft aas gone out to o'ne'
answered that stupid bidoy'
And be was really turning way VIZ. "a
stuck INV head out of the parlor d'0& a"0
called out: -. .one
in ...k and
st that he hung his hat on inc ''"-
came IN .cyov
aAu .lous, my dsari" said he Nv"