Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-03

him, and she blushingly answered
Eyes"
The comment on the engagement is
interesting. In one sense society is
shocked in another it is pleased to
have something to talk about.
The story of the meeting and en-
gagement of the couple has tinge of
romance about it. When Mr.. Arthur
was out west viewing the sights of the
Yellowstone his son was putting in
the time at the seashOre. He received
a sick leave from the college physician.
He first went to Long Branch. Find
ing it dull there, he joined a party on
trip to Narragansett Pier. During
his first evening at Narragansett Pier
he met Miss Beach. 1t was late 10 the
evening. Allan was walking along
over the smooth sand of the shore,
smoking a cigarette and wondering
how long he could postpone going
back to Princeton. A young lady
passed him carrying small basket of
flowers. Allan is nearsighted. He
mistook her for a fiower-girl, and
said: "Come here, my good girl; I
may purchase some of your flowers, y
quite like a real prince.
Miss Beach laughed. AS her silvery
Allan realized his mistake For a
moment he stood speeches., and then.
falling on his knees, he made a grace
full apology. While he was brushing
| the sand from his trousers Miss Beach
ran away without making any reply.
! Allan started in pursuit and got a
mutual friend to introduce him. The
rest followed as a matter of course.
Allan has been very devoted to his
sweetheart He has sacrificed his
studies and his future to be at her
side, even to the time Miss Beach had
the measles.
Mrs. Beach, however, interfered
when Allan was over here last. She
cold him he could not expect to mar
ry her daughter before he had gradu-
ated from college and had settled in
some profession or business. The
prospect was not inviting; but since
then Allan has remained apparently
close to his book, evidently determin-
ed to go to work in earnest. His
changing nature has been the source
Of great worriment to Mr.. Arthur.
He has lectured his son repeatedly on
his careless ways and habits-all to
no effect. Mrs. Beach seems to have
had more influence. How long it will
la is another matter.
Allan is in his junior year at the
college, and still has another year be-
fore graduating. He never could be
called handsome. He is scarcely
twenty years Cd. He stands
six feet two inches in his stockings
and does not weigh over 140 pounds
His face is long and narrow He has
coal black eyes, long dark hair and
very large hands and feet. In many
respects he resembles the typical slim.
Mr.. Arthur does not oppose the
match. He thinks Allan should have
his own way, so long as he keeps
within a proper limit Il don't sup
pose my son will want to marry"
said Mr.. Arthur for a couple of years
yet. There will be time enough DE-
fore that to decide the matter"
Some of Adams friends are inclin-
ed to be skeptical, and say he is not
sincere in his engagement to Miss
Katie. They point to his alleged
! engagement with Miss Maud Crow
ley, and several other young ladies
since he entered college. ''All The
bloods at college," they say, ARE
engaged at least once year Allan
has followed their example He wish
es to be considered leader in every
thing. Before the end Of the year
you will hear that his present engage
ment is broken off and that the young
man has lost his heart to another
fairy"
The Beach family are highly res
pectable people It consists of Mrs.
Beach, Miss Katie and Miss Agnes
Beach. Mr. Beach, the head of the
household, died a few years ago, Ieav-
ing his wife and children in comfort
able circumstances. He was a Brig
adler general in the Union army dur
ing the war. He was a native Of New
York state. The family are of early
English stock They have lived here
since the war. They have a large,
old fashioned house on Farragut
square. It is covered with moss an
ivy, and is a very homeike looking
place. Mrs. Beach has never favor
ed young ArDhur's suit, but not car
ing to offend the president, she gave
her consent, with the conditions men
toned above The family moves in
the best society. Miss Beach is a very
small blonde, with bright, sparkling
blue eyes and handsome mouth.
She is not remarkably pretty or
fascinating in conversation, but has
many little airs that are consider
ed attractive. Miss Beach is
inclined to be romantic. It is proba-
bic that the circumstances attending
her meeting with young Arthur had
more to do with her attachment to
him than any inherent charm he may
possess. 1t is young Arthur's hope to
have the wedding come off before his
father goes out Of office. Whether he
will be able to accomplish this if his
father is not reelected is an open
question.
The young people write daily to each
other. MISS Beach ties hers in > little
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