The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-03-02

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wasn't from joe. sfser all, eut from Deaoou
Simpson, gray haired vido~er, With ten
children. Who lived ., Stamford Center.
and who sometimes came TO pour his trials
on the score oi housekcepcr into the pa
thetc ear Of her mother The valentine,
ia spite Of the turtle doves 90 the outside
and cluster Of PINK and blue angels. round
a very fat Cupid, in the inside, Was de-
cidedly practical offer Of the gentleman $
hand and the general surrendering OF the
youthful ten into her motheriy hands.
amt very young. TO be sure. he said,
but il seems more takin' 10 make bargain
on Valentines Day, and ! thought I'd say
shat had TO sa,, so you'd get it when
other folks is getting their valentines
Doubtless you dontsSpect none to-day,
audi twill be a surpriss3o you, but, TO tell
the truth. I've had myeye in yonr direct
ion for some time.
Jennie guivered all over with iudigna'
tion, and remembered that only week or
two before he had been atItheir house TO tea
and said, in joking manner. that he
shoald look ont for housskseper who
made Ms nice cakes as she did.
She went 10 her mother with tears Of
anger in eyes; but Mrs. Eastman only
laughed until the tears rolled down her
cheeks. 1t was SO absurd for Deacon
Simpson TO send valentine to Jennie, and
such valentine! He was funny, little
old man--talked through his nose, wore
green glasses, and carried rod bandanna
handkerchief, with which he was continu-
ally wiping his bald head.
And he is so sure OF favorable answer!
exclaimed Jennie, not able to see the fun;
and what impudence He says he sup
poses that am not expecting any valen
tine to-day.
Then she forgot all about the deacon,
and remembered to be disappointed and
unhappy beyond measure because OF the
valentine which did not come. Still it was
not get too late, there was another mail
from Stamford in the afternoon. Deacon
Simpson requested an immediate answer
to his proposal, but he was very busy haul
ing logs, be should not be able to come
and talk it over until Sunday night 1t
was then only Tuesday, Jennie declared
that she would not answer it at all; but,
after waiting until the end of the week,
her mother answered 1t for her, giving a
decided but polite nay to the gentleman 5
Jennie went to the postoflice herself that
night, but the postmistress gave her sym
pathetic looks instead OF valentine, and
she came home in more unhappy mood
than she had ever known in her life. But
she found little consolation in knowing
that she should certainly see him at the
singing. school on Thursday night; and if
he didn't send me valentine, she thought
he will certainly come home with me then
He would not go away with another girl
right before my face and eyes.
Thursday night came, and after making |
a more careful toilet than usual, Jennie
tiipped away to the schooLhanse with y
beating heart. But after the the first
glance, which she fancled had something
of reproach as well as GOODNESS in it, |
Joe looked at his violin instead of looking |
at her, and at recess devoted himself to
Belle Archer, the squares daughter, who
had always been setting her cap for him,
and who was more than delighted Jen-
ME tossed her head with the most superb
and her sweet, shrill little
voice never echoed more gayly through
the Aowery measures ofMerry May.
The minister, who was not too dignifed
TO attend the singing g-school, listened to it
with an expression Of enchantment, and
never left the side of the singer for the
whole evening. Joe went home with Belle
Archer, and the minister, finding himself
alone with Jennie under the dim, romantic
was moved 10 tell the story of
his love, and waited for the little maiden's
answer. None came, however. She only
sobbed, and begged him not TO speak to
her then.
She could not tell him, so he was
obliged TO wait with patience he might,
and wondered what grieyed her SO. Was
she offended with him2,
He had talk with her mother the next
hay, but she could do nothing with Jennie,
declayed that she could not make up
her mind, atd.h lie. must wait. She said to
herself that she could never love him. but,
Il She could marry him, it would prove to
Joe that she cared nothing for him, and
that there were people who valued her, if
he did not. 1t was very hard, but il she
did not die sonr-and 1t seemed to her as If |
she could not live long and see Joe married
10 Belle Archer f-she thought she should |
make up her mind to become his WIFE
Hei mother would be pleased; but the
world was after all what Deacon Simpson
was always calling it in yestry.meetings-
n vale OF tears.
The days wan. on drearily enough until
Sunday night, when a most astonishing
revelation came to Jennie. The minister
was waiting with pathetic countenancs,
and preached sermon that day on the
danger Of delay, and hope deferred. Her
mother said nothing but watched her ami
ously. Joe Carlton took Belle Archer on
a sleigh ride day after the singing school.
Jennie was sitting meditatively, by the
fire after the afternoon service, when
Cousin Jane came bustling in, all out Of
breath, and requested a private interview
with her She was somewhat startled by
such an nnheard of honor, and led the way
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