St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-11
NEAR SIGHTED.

I am near-sighted and an old maid. I am
well, no matter how old. At the age of IL
years 1 was Frustrated with the measles, and
they left me short-sighted. You fortunate
people who have good eyes know nothing of
the trials and perils of a near-sighted person.
All through my girlhood l was engaged in
picking up pins and needles, which proved
to be straws; bowling to people | had never
seen before, upsetting invisible cans and
baskets, and hurrying by my best friends,
never dreaming of their propinquity. shook
hands with the governor of the state once
under the impression that it was my uncle
jefferson, and astonished him beyond mea-
sure by inquiring how Aunt Polly's rheuma-
tism was, and if she had good luck with her
last boiling of soft soap. have searched
half the day for some particular store or shop
which had passed twenty times without be-
ing able to read the sign.
Nature had endowed me with a good voice
and was needed to sing in our choir, but,
goodness was so near-sighted that | could
not see to read the music unless held the
book close to my eyes, and then the whole
congregation would ignore the singing, and
whisper loud enough for every one to hear
one to another-''How near-sighted Agnes
Graymond is.''
l could not bear the notoriety, so I left the
choir. If made an appointment anywhere
1 was invariably an hour too late, or as much
too early, because, if it had been to save the
city, could not have told the time by the
town clock
| never dared to go out nights-not on ac-
count CT ghosts, for I might have gone di
rectly through ghost without ever seeing it
but because l was liable to dash my brains
out against any lamp post that happened to
stand in the way. My friends deserted me.
l used to pass them blndly by, and once ran
away from my own father, thinking him
pickpocket.
| stumbled over poor old Mr.. Blake, my
mothers most revered minister, as 1 was
coming down the stairs7-never seeing him
until | heard the noise of his fall.
Once | went into strange church, and,
there being no sexton, | very gravely took
my seat with the deacons, greatly to the scan
dial of the congregation. Twas not to blame,
The church was dark, and | certainly took
the white head of the tallest deacon for
woman'S white bonnet and yeil.s
At last fell in love. Perhaps you wonder
how | ever came near enough to any man to
fall in love with him; this Thornwell Creigh-
ton was my music teacher, and had to sit
near him in order to see the notes. Mr..
Creighton was lawyer in good practice-a
man of wealth and influence. At the urgent
solicitation of my father he consented to give
me MISUNDERSTANDING result was Just
what might have been anticipated. At the
end Of three weeks we were betrothed. Mr..
Creighton was handsome and intelligent and
kind-hearted, but he had one terrible fault.
He was jealous! / used to drive him nearly
frantic by my attentions to other men, as he
called my lolling my head this way and that,
to find who l should speak to and who
should ignore.
When We had been two months betrothed
Mr.. Creighton was called to New York on
business. We had a very affecting parting,
and after he was gone time never dragged so
slowly. He went away on Thursday, and
would return the ensuing Wednesday.
Wednesday arrived at last. The train from
New York was due at 10 a. M, and by the
time the clock struck the hour / was in the
front hall waiting for him. i had dressed
myself with great care in his favorite colors.
He came even before l expected him.
saw him coming up the street at rapid pace
I opened the door and stood on the thresh-
old ready to greet him. He ran up the steps
l rushed forward and threw myself into his
arms, crying out:
''Oh l am so reioiced to see you.'' and
then | flung my arms around his neck and
kissed him Kissed him more than once,
| am afraid. He did not speak, but Rugged
me with considerable impressment Just
then there was a wild shrek from some one
at the gate, and woman rushed up the steps
and commenced beating me over the head
with a market basket. The basket contained
a turkey, some potatoes, lettuce, and pack
ages of tea and sugar. And about my de-
voted head they fen in lavish profuson:
''I'll learn you to kiss other womens hus-
bands in broad daylighty' yelled the wom-
an, slapping me in the face with the unfor-
tunate turkey, "hain't you satisfied with one
sweetheart that you must be seducing of
my husband!'
/ looked into the face of the gentleman 1
had been greeting, and goodness me, it was
an entire stranger And, at the same mo-
ment, | met the eyes of Mr.. Creighton look
ing over the strangers shoulder He was
black as thunder-cloudl
Agnes he said, II have seen all
Wretched girl! allow me to bid you fare
we'll"
''Thornellp' cried, ''oh, Thornell! it
was all a mistake! / did not know this man
| am innocent-I-"
agnes l saw for myself,' he said cold
iy. ''Good-by."
He turned and left me. / apologized as
well as / was able to the strange gentleman,
who proved to be the ''oi MANI apologized
to his wife; went up to my chamber and had
good cry
have never met Mr.. Creighton since
save in company. He was married to an
amiabe woman, who is not near-sighted.
Since then l have had offers, but have
thought best to decline. 1 was afraid of
another mistake with some other woman's
husband
So l can end as l began-I am near
sighted old maid