News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-07-17
j JeSSie'S Hero.

,TeSSie'S Hero.
zone, two, three, four" said Jessie
Ashton, as she sat in her tasteful little
boadoir counting on Der fingers -four,
I can hardly say gentlemen, four pieces
of conceit and assurance, who have in
formed me this morning that they are
dying for my hand, and who all imag-
inc, suppose, that 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
Not !, !" and Jessie resolutely shook her
pretty head, sending her golden curls all
over her face
ST 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-
mirers. They are very fine gentlemen,
all of them, and you know they adore
you"
''There it is r exclaimed Jessie, toss
ing back her curls. eff they would only
leave off adoriDg me 1 would like it
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 1 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 ii? And, as to their
dying of love for me, although refused
them all, 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 waDt?'
ST want one who is good for some
thing, replied Jessie, with spirit; ''some
one who can declare his love for me, if
b1 faAI= any, in n za1laif,ISs monty way.
without all these sentimental simperings
that distinguish my aristocratic admir-
ers. In short, want hero. q"
ga heror' and Miss Barbara gazed at
Jessie in speechless astonishment
s.Pray define the term, if you please. y
ST don't mean such heroes as they
put in story books to, amuse children,
said Jessie, slightly coloring 81 am
not so silly as that. By hero 1 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, If
need be. to save another. That's the
man for me With such a man, she
continued, with her cheeks glowing and
two bright tears glistening in her eyes,
sswith such man / could willingly,
gladly trust myself for life with the
sweet assurance that 1 would never be
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 Aunt
Barbara watched her in dignified ST.
Ience. After long pause, she said' sar-
castically:
"If those are your sentiments, it viii
be long time before you meet youl
hero. as for me, shall not trouble
myself any further about getting a gooo
match for yoH. l resign all responsible
ity about you and Miss Barbara ma
iesticalIy left the room.
Jessie raised her head and wiped hel
eyes.
81 don't care what Aunt Barbar'
saws" she said. ''I'll die an old maiC
sooner than marry one Of those fops ;
and she took up some embroidery anC
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 al
your roses by staying in the house so
como and take a wax, won't you ?"
"Willingly," said Jessie; and soon
equipped, they started forth.
$50 you gave your fond adorers tn
mitten the other day, did you?" in
quired her brother, as they walked on
ST guess I did, replied Jessie; &c
put stop to their tactics instanter-"
"And left them broken-hearted,
suppose ?" said her brother, laughmgly
s'Never fear," returned Jessie ; ''the.
have as much heart or gizzard now a
thev ever had, I guess, But, Walter,
wonder what has become of Edgar 81
Clair. whom we met last winter He
one of those 1 like and esteem yer
highly. He was so different from m
late adorers. +"
"Come this way, Jessie, interrupte
Walter. drawing her to one side, ''se
that immense crowd coming. Some
thing unusual must be the matter"
In a moment the throng swept by
Jessie and Walter quickened their foo
steps. and, turning a corner, came
sight of an immense fire, which ha
originated in a large dwelling hous'
The fremen, who had arrived, had give
up all hopes of saving the house, an
were directing their energies toward tt
adjacent buildings.
"Oh, Walter, hear those screams
exclaimed Jessie. "Oh, that 1 coul
help them. There must be some chill
in the burning building"
"Come away, Jessie" said Waite
seThere is such a crowd that could NJ
be able to give any help. Don't let
stay here. +"
"Oh, yes, Walter-stay, stay" erie
Jessie, springiDg up the steps OF lare
house. 81 am safe here, and must Sc
if any one is saved. See p she col
tinued, turning toward the fire, 'the1
is some one going up the ladder. q