Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-06-27
JOHN AND |.

"Come, john said |, cheerfully, "it
really is time to go; If you stay any
longer | shall be afraid to come down
and lock the door after you."
My visitor rose "A proceeding that
always reminded me of the genii emerg-
Ing from the copper vessel, as he
measured six foot three and stood
looking reproachfully down at me.
you are in great hurry to get rid
of me-" he said
Now | didn't agree with him, for he
had made his usual call of two hours
and a half having, in country phrase,
taken to sitting up with me 50 liter
ally that was frequently at my wits
end to suppress the yawn that l knew
would bring troop after it.
He was a fine manly looking fellow,
this John Crawford, old for his age
which was the rather hoyish period of
twenty-twO-and every way worthy Of
being loved. But ! didn't love him.
| was seven years his senior; when in
stead of letting the worm of conceal
ment prey on his damask cheek, he
yentured to tell his love for my mature
Self, | remorselesSly seized an English
prayer book, and pointed Sternly to
the clause, "A man may not marry his
grandmother That was three years
ago. and added enconragingly:
beside, John, you are Il child, and
don't know your own mind
"If man of nineteen doesn't know
his own mind" demonstrated my lover.
81 would like to know who should.
But | will wait for yon seven years, If
you say so--fourteen--a Jacob did for
/ Rachel"
you forget" laughing at his way
Of mending matters, that IA woman
does not improve with age. But
seriously, John, this is absurd; you are
nice boy, and like you but my
feelings toward you are more those OF
Il mother than wife
The boys eyes flashed Indignantly
and before | could divine his intention
he had lifted me from the spot where
| stood, and carried me infant fashion
to the sofa, at the other end Of the
room.
81 could almost find it in my heart
to shake you" he muttered, as he sci
Inc down with emphasis.
This was rather like the cOurtship O.
William of Normandy, and matter!
promised to he quite exciting.
Don't do that again ! said witt
dignity, when lrecoyered my breath.
Wll you marry me-" asked John
somewhat threateniDgly.
"Not Just at present" ! replied.
"The great handsome fellow"
thought, as he paced the floor restless
ly, "why couldn't he fall in love will
some girl of fifteen, instead of settin!
his affections on an old maid like me
don't want the boy Oh my hands, ant
won't have him"
"As to your being twenty-siX,' pur
sued John, in answer TO my thoughts
"You say it's down in the family Bible
and | suppose it must he So; but II
one would believe it; and | don't car
If YOU are forty. You look like Il cir
of sixteen. and you are the only womal
] shall ever love"
o John. John! at least five million
of men have said the SAME thing befor
in every known language. Nevertht
less, when he fairly breaks down an
cries, | relent for | am disgracefull
soft -hearte' e'--and weakly promise the
and there that | will either keep IN
own name or take his
And John looked radiant at this cor
cession, for love is a very dog in tn
manger. 1t was comfort to kno'
that if he could not gather the ilowt
himself, no one else would.
A sort of family shipwreck ha
waited John to my threshold. Or
own household was sadly broken al
and ! found myself, comparativel
young in years, with II half invall
father, large house, and very lit