Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-01-06
BEFORE a FALL.
BY MARY e. BENNETT.

BY MARY e. BENNETT.
One Saturday evening sat upon the
door step waiting for John and Jennie
We had been to choir-meetings together
all summer long,-Jennie was such GOOD
friends with me, and John was such good
friends with Jennie. She lived just over
the hill from our house, and John lived
just beyond that. She waited till he came
for her, and I waited for them both.
should not have thought of starting with.
out them, and I sat quietly, not noticing
the flight Of time. was thinking what a
lovely evening it was, and that mother Is
china asters were coming into bloom and
the crab-apples were ripening, and that
always thought crab-apple jelly the pretti
est mother ever made. l was as peaceful
as the old cat that came and curled up be-
side me, and had no moro thought than
she of it being late.
But suddenly I heard Jennie's voice
calling me; it sounded so sharp, out Of the
quiet, that was really startled. She had
paused at the gate and was saying. ''Come
Phebe!" knew in minute from her tone
that something had worried her. I was
wondering what it might be as I rose and
went down the path, and suppose I want
lit+l,5 1tu yrt5-.g---- SE~
"Hurry. Phepe!" she cried; don't you
know we are late?"
But, instead of hurrying, stopped short.
for suddenly saw that John was not with
her.
"Where's John?" I asked.
81 don't know" she answered shortly
Don't stand staring, Phoebe! tell you
we're late."
Now some people are afraid of Jennie
when she speaks that way, with her chseks
red and her eyes swapping. But am not;
it only makes me little cooler than was
before. just stood still. She sha mt drive
me, If I do love her.
Suppose we are late?" I said; II think
we might wait little for him, Just for
once.''
''You can do it, then," said she, and
walked straight on.
looked up the road and reflected. John
was not in sight. If anything had hap
pened to delay him it was Jennie's compa-
ny he was sorry to miss, so my waiting
could do him no good. I might as we'll go
with Jennie. ran and caught her before
she had gone far. 1 suppose it Modified
her to have made me run, for she laughed
little as came up. ''You didn't wait
as long as l did," she said.
"Then you did wait awhile?"
"Why. of course. Didn't tell you it
was late?"
swell, you needn't have got mad about
it, Jennie!"
II didn't" said she; cor at least only
got mad at myself for waiting. There is
no reason why we should ever wait for
John, or expect him to come with us every
night, just because he lives next door,
He's never said word about always es.
corting us. He's just let it be matter OF
course, and am not going to have it so
any longer He might want to 60 with
some of the other girls sometime, and then
just think how ridiculous we should be,
sitting waiting for him. I'll never do it
again. Next week l mean to start real
early, and you may wait for him if you
like. I'll nor expose myself to being slight
ed again. don't doubt he's gone the 9th
er way, by East Side, tonight.
Now Jessie Sears lived on the East Side.
John was the only fellow in the village
whom she could not possibly induce to flirt
with her, and it seemed as if for that rea-
son he was the one she most wanted to
make an impression upon, He said moth
ing about it and kept out of her way, but
everybody knew, except Jennie, who might
have known if she pleased-that he dis
liked her. So when Jennie made that in
situation thought it was my turn to be
angry. I faced about upon her with the
facts.
"Jennie Norris" said I, "You know
just as well as do that you're the only
girl in this town John ever cares
to 60 anywhere with. DOM see how you
can be SO mean as to talk about him in
that way"
Jennie's face got crimson, and she hung
her head and looked quite cowed. 1 wai
glad of it.
81 don't see where he can be then" she
murmured after awhile. "He might have
sent us word he was not going. You'll &C.
knowledge it was humiliating for us to sit
and wait for him.
81 don't see why"
"You're such child" she said, pettish
| ly.
| "If it is childish to be unreasonable