The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-04-02
The Laggard suitor.
Mr.. Peterkin's Attention to the Charm
ing Violet.
lHarper's Magazine

lAlMpDA . hhSd1ihc.i
Some 20 years ago-I do not know how
many exactly. but it was some time during
the war--I heard story which soldier
was reading in newspaper to little group
around him to their great enjoyment.
shall tell it only in brief, though remem-
Der well the filing in was a good part of it,
which will be missing in my recital.
Mr.. s. G. Peterkin was prosperous
youngish man Of business who got ahead
in spite of his constitutional modesty. This
wat in his way in society more than in trade I;
he was afraid of women more than men.
For long, long time he had set his heart
upon lovely young lady, whose sweetness
was like her name, which was Violet. He
bad often called upon her, and resolved
again and again that he would make her an
offer Of his heart and hand, but as often
that heart failed him. Through the whole
of the evening he would sit and
"Gaze upon her as a star
EWhose purity and distance make it fair
and come away without making any pro-
gress in his suit. At last he became alarmed
by the fact that the dashing Captain Lath-
am, of one If the sound steamers, was often
at the house where he called to see his charm
er, the charming Violet. At last he could
not bear the suspense any longer, and he
ventured, with much hesitaney and awk-
wardness, but with do-or-die determination,
to ask her if she would be his. With re
markable GOODNESS, she replied:
'sYou should have spoken long ago, Mr..
Peterkin; l have been engaged to Captain
Latham for some time past, and we are to be
married very shortly. / am sorry to disap-
point you, but We will be as good friends as
ever, and you must come to see me just the
same. The captain will always be glad to
hsve your company.
Peterkin went away sorrowful. But a
brighter day soon dawned, for within three
months after they we're married the captain
fell off the steamer in fog on the sound
and was drowned. Now Peterkin took
heart. He would have the widow.
A year of mourning wore slowly away
He kept his eye on the widow, but would
not insult the memory of the dead by pro-
posing until decent interval had passed
The year ended, and he laid his heart again
at the little feet of Violet. She heard him
quietly, and quietly remarked, my dear
Peterkin, | am sorry TO disappoint you
again, but for the last six months have
been engaged to DR.. Jones. 1t was hard to
make up my mind between him and his
friend, the handsome Lawyer Bright, but
DR.. Jones was so good TO me while was
sick in the winter after my husbands death
that | promised him / would be his at the
end of the year,
So poor Peterkin retired once more; the
widow Latham became Mrs. DIR. Jones, and
so remained, while the discounted Peterkin
wished the doctor might take enough of his
own pills to make an eud of him.
fine passed on. Peterkin was walking
down Broadway one day. while not very far
ahead of him he saw two men, one OF whom
he knew to be this hated Dr. Jones. A large
flat stone was being hosted to the coping OF
new building; the rope gave way: il fell
and instantly killed the two men. Peterkin
rose TO the emergency of the moment. For
the dead he could be of no avail His
thoughts were on the widow. lie turned; he
ran, he flew TO her abode. When she entered
the room where he awaited her be began:
my dear Mrs. Jones, bring you dread
full news. was walking on the street when
saw a stone fall from a house upon your
poor husband, and he is dead but you must
let me comfort you. / beg you now to be
mine, my Violet at last"
"Dear Mr. Peterkin, am so sorryl but
when Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Bright were both
begging to marry me, took the doctor, and
promised Mr. Bright, If anything happened
10 Jones, / would be his. So you see / am
engaged. / am sorry, for do think great
dea Of you, my dear Peterkin.'
Peterkin was very calm and self-con-
strained. He said, "And you will promise
to be mine when that lawyer is no more?p
Certainly will, with all my heart and
soul.'
"Tben come to my arms, my Violet, for
the same stone that killed the doctor was
the death of Bright, and you are mine at
last"