Connecticut western news., 1884-06-25
J eSSie'S Hero.


 Ashton, as she sat in her tasteful little boudoir counting on her fingers 1; ''four, I can hardly say gentlemen, four pieces of conceit and assurance, who have ln- formed me this morning that they are dying for my hand, and who all imag- inc, suppose, that I am dying for the honor of adding their names to my own. Conceited numbskulls If they had any brains they might see that I don't care two straws for all of them put together and that it makes me sick whenever they come near me with their airs and graces. Ugh marry one of those creatures l! Not I" and Jessie resolutely shook her pretty head, sending her golden curls all over her face.
 ''I think it is very foolish and unlady- like in you to talk in that way, Jessie, !" remarked her aunt who had at that mo- ment entered the room every unlady- like it is to talk in that way of your ad- mjrers. They are very fine gentlemen, all of them, and you know they adore you" "There it is l" exclaimed Jessie, toss- ing back her curls. "If they would only leave off adoripg me I would like 1t much better. But only think, after barely six weeks acquaintance, to come bobbing down in front of me, calling me an angelic creature and telling me they adore me and telling me they cannot live five minutes longer unless I promise to become their lovely bride and all that sort of thing, while all the time l am longing to box their ears. Now, that don't look angelic, or the nearest ap- proach to it, does it? And, as to their dying of love for me, although refused them all, l don't believe they will have the heart disease in consequence or go melancholy mad before they reach home."
 'Is it possible that you refused all those good offers ?" exclaimed Aunt Barbara; holding up her hands. "When will you ever get suited, Jessie Ashton ? What more do you want?'
 '1 want one who is good for some- thing" replied Jessie, with spirit; "some one who can declare his love for me, If he feels any, in sensible, manly way, without all these sentimental simperings that distinguish my aristocratic admir- CTS. In short, want a hero"
 "A herol'' and Miss Barbara gazed at Jessie in speeches. astonishment. "Pray define the term, if you please"
 "I don't mean such heroes as they put in story books to amuse children, said Jessie, slightly coloring; "I am not so silly as that. By hero l mean one who cares something for his fellow, creature; who has proved by his works that he has noble nature within him. One who, in the moment of danger would forget self and give his life, Ii need be, to save another. That's the man for me With such a man," she continued, with her cheeks glowing ano two bright tears glistening in her eyes "with such man I could willingly gladly trust myself for life with tht sweet assurance that I would never bt less dear to him than on the day l be came his bride"
 Wholly carried away by her enthusi asm, she burst into tears, while Aun Barbara watched her in digniied si lence. After long pause, she said, sar "castically:
 eff those are your sentiments, 1t vii be long time before you meet you hero. As for me, shall not trouble myself any further about getting gooc match for you. resign all responsibil ity about you ;" and Miss Barbara ma jestically left the room.
 Jessie raised her head and wiped he eyes.
 "I don't care what Aunt Barbar says" she said. "Ill die an old mai, sooner than marry one of those fops 1; and she took up some embroidery an worked away energetically upon it.
 A day or two after this. as Jessie wa seated in the parlor reading, he brother entered the room, saying:
 "Come, Jessie, you are losing Q your roses by staying in the house so come and take walk, won't you ?"
 Willingly" said Jessie; and soo1 equipped, they started forth.
 ''So you gave your fond adorers tl mitten the other day, did you ?" il quired her brother, as they walked ol
 1T guess I did," replied Jessie ( put stop to their tactics instanter."
 "And left them broken hearted,
 suppose 2" said her brother, laughinglJ