The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-01-26


tall handsome brother
Never, sis Was the quite emphatic ~
spouse. We will live together all on
days, and b~ Just the hsppiest old mait
and old bachelor that ever existed
This wAs the compact entered into b,
Jessie and her brother Tom. not long after
the death OF their father; and certainly
none was ever made 10 more sincerity aud
good faith. Tom had alway considered
Jessie as just the best aud dearest sister 40
the world. and Jessie was equally sure
iha, there was no one quite like brother
Tom; aud Ia the sorrow and loneliness OF
their common bereavement. their hearts
turned toward each other with redoubled
tenderness and affection.
Mr. Juniper bad been in sfiluent circum-
Stances, leaving his property. by will. to
be divided by them in any way 10 suit
themselves And here arose the nearest
approach toa quarrel that the two bad I;
Jessie declared that Tom. who had all the
tronble OF its management. ought 10 have
the largest portion, aud Tom insisting.
just M strenuously. that Jessie. who was
less able TO care for herself, ought 10 have
more than he II was finally settled that
Jessie was TO take the.mcney and personal
property, aud Tom the business and real
estate aud that they were to live together
in the old homestead, just as they always
had done
Tom, certainly, had no reason to be dis
satisfied with this arrangement. Jessie
was not only thorough housekeeper but
took genuine pride and pleasure In her
work. The house was orderly, and his
meals nicely cooked and served, and Jessie
always ready in the evening TO talk or TO
play or sing for him.
Jessie had no cause for discomfort.
either, Tom was model brother always
merry and good tempered, and rarely
coming home without bringing her new
book or magazine, or something that he
thought would interest and please her
Neither Of them went much into society
but when they did it was always together;
it being often remarked how attentive Tom
was 10 his sister, at such times, and how
happy aud contented Jessie was with her
brothers escort and society. This arrange.
ment was not so satisfactory, however, to
many OF their mutual friends aud acquain-
tsncss, and there was good deal OF muir
muring, especially among the sterner sex,
some OF whom did not hesitate to declare
that 1t was downright selfish in Tom Juni-
per thus to monopolize his pretty sister.
especially when there were plenty Of other
peoples around unappropriated.
Tom visited New York every three
months for the purpose Of buying goods.
Une day lie returned from the city in high
spirits even for him.
met John Hammond in New York
Jessie. He's head clerk in large whole
sale house there. And such glorions
time as we had talking over old affairs!
He's just the same frank, pleasant, agree.
able fellow You remember my iutroduc.
ing him to you at the state fair year ago
last fall?
Yes. Did he mention his sister Julia?
We were schoolmates, you know, and fast
friends.
saw her Nothing would suit John
but must 90 home with him TO dinner.
spent two evenings there besides; and very
pleasant evenings they were. John is just
as outspoken as ever. What do you think
be said to me as wo went ont for stroll
after dinner?
Tom, old fellow, says he, why don't yon {
get married? A steady, sensible good.
looking man like You ought to haves wife.
1 told him that had the best sister and 7
in the world, and didn't need T
my. Then you ought to have heard him I
ecture me on my seltisbness. ,
Not content, he said to make some wo.
nan happy, you must 80 deliberately to 4
york TO make some poor man wretched I
or life. r
] declare, sis. | begin to be afraid that I
/ was little selfish and miserly to keep I
20 much sweetness under lock and key. 9
Nonsense. Toni retorted Jessie, color.
ng. As though / would exchange my q
,rother for the best man living And | 4
hnk it very impertinent in Mr. Ham
nond to--to make such uncalled for re. Q
marks about me. .
You're entirely in the wrong, was the Z.
ager response; John had no such thought
n his heart. In fact, he had "a high re. 4,
pect for you. Said he had heard Julia
ak OF you so much that he felt quite ac b
uainted. She has your picture in her al. a
'um. I've seen her photograph in yours. /,
nd so recognized her at once.
Julia was just the dearest and sweetest O
,iri in school, responded Jessie. with en- I.
husissm How WAS she looking, and what
ia she wear?
I couldn't tell you thing she wore, :.
hough know it was all very stylish and
becoming As to her face, !,
. is very interesting aud attractive. but
oi so pretty as yours :,
That's because you are 30 partial TO me, !.
lon. said Jessie. laughing and blnshing -
ulia was slways called great deal the J
rettiest al school "
She il certainly very agreeable And III
aust say that Jonn and are very fortu. -
ate IN our sisters She sent you more kind
than can remember. and M ade '
ie promise 10 bripg yon with me the next y
Ime came to the city. %
Tom vas careful 70 keep his word, tax
ng his sister with him nert time he went