Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-08-19
MY FILTRATION;
Or, One June Evening and an Aggust Night
ny I.N,nIA IINf,nIN

| had propensity for flirting,
once upon a time, and withal-
strangely enough II never had
the reputation of being fiirt; u
fact which is worthy of remark, as,
is in this strange, puZzling, blessed
hnd of ours, people, as a general
thing, get full and entire credit for
those propensities that, upon the
whole, are not the most creditabie
to them. To leave the moralizing
strain (being already weary of it)
to those more fitted to- costume in il
than ! am, let me plunge directly
into my story
1t is the history of my last iiirta-
ton l am about To confide TO your
attentive ears, my kind readers.
This is the 9Th day of June, 1852,
as you are possibly aware.
Precisely two years ago, being
the 9th day of June, 1880, at the
hour of four O'Clock in the after
noon, IL carriage deposited me and
"A trunk containing IL whole lot of
pretty summer dresses, and other
articles belonging to Il lady's ward
robe, at the door of the vine cover
ed cottage of my friend, Lucy Brad
ford.
In novels and novelettes, and
short newspaper stories, the gay
cottage is always uncovered isn't
it,. - ttEEs f.r
But this one was Il real bona tide
uncovered cOttage-l give you
my word Of.hOnor that 1 speak the
truth. Vines, scarlet : runners,
morning glories, and things trailed
over the windows, and up and
down the sides, and i'll a prOfusiOn
marvellous and gorgeous hung down
ovel the little veranda, or porch, or
whatever you call it, in front;
and / had positively to wrench
them away almost with rude vehe-
mence, to make way for my vOlu-
minouS skirts, when l went 10 find
the door At length, after a trial
of patience and perseverance which
lasted some sixty seconds, more or
less, an entrance was achieved, and
| was received into the atfectionate
and welcome AIRS Of Lucy, who EN-
braccd and kissed me, and called
me darling-all of which was re-
sponded TO by me, just as girls al
ways do, you know. So l was set
tied at morning-glo cottage Cor
three weeks visit.
That night when Lucy and l
went to our room l told her what
had been Il secret till then-that
was engaged TO George Barlow,
and that we were to be married
shortly-as soon as George was per-
manently settled in business.
"Why, Jessie, l thought you
never would marry him ~ ex-
claimed Lucy, opening her blue
eyes, astOnished indeed.
$50 did l." L returned, as | brush
cd out the loose waves OF my hair,
preparatory to winding it up in II
loose knot for the night "but the
truth is | don't think | could get
along very well without him, now,
Lucy, l am. so used to him you
know, and ii almost seems rs
though I had belonged TO him for
ever so long a time"
Eyes; there is a great deal i'll be-
coming used to anything or any
body"
"Besides, dear, you know l gave
him Il great deal of encourage
ment."
$50 you did" asscnted Lucy,
who, l think, never disagreed with
or cuntradiCted me in my life, that
l can remember.
$50 you see" l continued, "he
really had a right to expect that !
would marry him sometime"
every true. And he is a very
good match too, in point of wealth,
and your equal i'll every way; be-
sides being a man that any wo-
man might be proud TO call hus-
band"
Just my ideas TO T, Lucy. l
ann glad you agree with me-"
but, do you love him at all,
Jessie"
We'll, yes, l think SOL don't |
know" l replied sleePily rs l got
into bed. II care more for him
than for any man l know; and
then i don't know that l am capa-
BILE of entertaining Il grand passion
for anybody. | don't believe / am
nothing more intensely than my
desire to 20 to sleep just now, for l
am awfully tired. Good night
dear"
Goodnight, said Lucy, in her
sweet, quiet voice, as she TUNED |
over on her pillow and closed her |
eyes. k
was Just quietly gliding into the
land of dreams when she awoke
me with sudden exclamation.
"Oh, JessiGH'
"Oh. dear. What? Is the bet
on fire? Have you overturned the
lamp? What is the maaer :"
Don't be so cross. l never saw
such across bear as you are when
any one wakes you up suddenly,
Lucy ~
THANK you, very kindly. Will
you Just inform me what you woke
me up for, just now; III that ear
splitting and nerve shaking fash
ION ~
Yes, of course. Listen. Talk
ing OF grandest passions; if it is
possible for anyone to inspire you
with sach Il. thing, don't i'll the
least doubt but what you will feel
it To the full intensity, and under
stand all about it before you go
homer
"You alarm me. Who is going
to strike fire from ice"'
a doubt if you are ice; but be
flint, If you will, and Harvey Ran
ger will strike sparks from your |
hard heart to set you all ON fire."
And who is Harvey Ranger, |
pray"
"Thc most charming, fascinating, |
man that ever had Al
poets soul shining through pair OF
blue eyes"
"a poet? Bless me! what is he
doing out hcre?"
illustrating of course you duh
thing. Worshiping nature, and
the rest of il, you know"
con, yes they do that sort of
thing, believe. l had forgotten. I
Is he handsOme?"
"DivinCly So"
"AuI good TO fiirt with ~
"Oh, Jessie, you don't tlirt!'
"Oh, don't though ? That's all |
you know about it. If your poet is
all my fancy paints him, l intend |
TO have one glorious Irritation be-
Fore settle down into a quiet mas
trOnly, married woman"
"If that is your little game, To
use an elegant phrase, l incline to
n