The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-06-23
John and [.

"Come, John" said 1, cheerfully, at
really is time to go; if you stay any
longer shall be afraid to come down and
lock the uoor after you"
My visitor rose-a proceeding that al
ways reminded me of the genius emerging
from the copper vessel, as he measured
six feet three-and stood looking re-
proacbfully 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 so literally that
l was frequently at my wits end to sup.
press the yawn that knew would bring
u troop after it.
He was a fine, manly-looking fellow,
this John Crawford, old for his age
which was the rather boyish period oi
twenty-two-and every way worthy o.
being loved Bat didn't love him. ]
was seven years his senior; when, instead
OF letting the worm of concealment prey
on his damask cheek, he ventured to tel
his love for my mature self, 1 remorse
lessly seized an English prayer book, ant
pointed sternly to the clause, "a mar
may not marry his grandmother" Tha
was three years ago, and l added en-
couragingly,
'Besides. John, you are child, ant
don't know your own mind"
''Ifa man of nineteen doesn't know hi
mind, demonstrated my lover, Il woulc
like to know who should. But viii
wait for you seven years, if you say So
fourteen--as Jacob did for Rachel"
''You forgety" 1 replied, laughing a
his way OF mendlng matters, that n wo
man does not, like wine, improve viii
age. But seriously, John, this is absurd
You are nice boy, and like you-bu
my feelings toward you are more thos,
of mother than a wife"
The boys eyes flashed Indignantly, anC
before could divine his Intention he hat
lifted me from the spot where 1 stood
aud carried me infant fashion to the sofa
at the other end of tie room.
Il could almost find it in my heart t.
shake youl'' lie muttered, as he set M,
down with emphasis.
This was rather like the courtship o
William of of-Normandy, and matters prom
ised to be quite exciting.
Don't do that again, said l with dig
nifty, when l recovered my breath.
"Will you marry mc2' asked John
somewhat tbreateningly.
Not just at present" replied.
"The great, handsome fellow"
thought, as he paced the floor restlessly
"why couldn't he fall in love with som
girl of fifteen, instead of setting his al
fections on an old maid like meP / don
want the boy on my hands, and won
have himl"
"As TO you being tweuty-slx." pun
sued John, in answer to my thoughts
'you say it's down in the family Bible
and l supposed it must be so; but no on
would believe it and don't care if 70
are forty. You look like girl of sil
teen, aud you are the only woman sha
ever love"
o John, John! at least FIVE million c
men have said the same thing before i
every known language. Nevertheless
wheh he fairly breaks down and erie,
l relent--for L am disgracefullv sof
hearted-and weakly promise thea an,
there that l will either keep my ow
name or take his.
Aud John looked radiant at this con
cession, for love is very dog IN th
manger. 1t was comfort to know tbs
if he could not gather the flower hin
self. no one else would.
A sort Of family shipwreck had waite
John to my threshold. Our own houst
hold was sadly broken up. and 1 foun
myself comparatively young in year
with II lfinvalid father, large hous,
and very little money What MOI
natural determination than 10 tab
boarders2 And among the first were NJ
Crawford and his son, and sister, wb
had just been wrecked themselves by II
death OF the wife and mother in foreig
land one of those sudden, uuexpec
ed deaths, that leave the survivors IN
dased condition, because it is 50 diflicu
to imagine the gay wording who h,
been called hence in another State of b,
ing.
Mr. Crawford was one OF my admi
tiols from the first Tall, pale, vii
dark hair and eyes, he reminded me ,
Dante, only that he was haudsum+r
and he had such a general air Of know
lhB VNeiy thlhR N"ieh h'hNihB ANhh"'
the least pedantry, howeveT) that l ".
quite ahaId of him, He was evidrntl
wrapped mp in john, and patient wit
his sister which was asking quite euoug
of Christian charity under the sun, f.
Mrs. Shellgrove was an unmitiga'e
nuisance. Such tAlki babbling OF be
own and her brothers affairs with equal