Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-11-05
JESSICA AT TEE SEASIDE.

It was very foolish Of Mr. Peppers
to think he could keep Jessica from
falling in love, and other people from
falling in love with Jessica-she was
altogether too pretty for that. Just
seventeen, with A round, rosebud face,
a wealth of dark brown hair, and the
sweetest temper In the world. 1t was
q sight to see her upon her weather
beaten, choleric old fathers arm on
the way to church. He looked like a
thunder cloud which had captured a
sunbeam; or, as the young men ir-
reverently said, a pompolls old turkey
cock escorting a dove.
He glared about TO the right and
left, snorting defiance at admirers, so
that the sunbeam glowed and the
dove futtered under very difficult Cir
cumstances. But there she was, in
spite Of the peculiar oppression, the
brightest, sweetest creature you can
imagine; and with a native bit of co
qUetry about her, too, that made even
the lifting of those curling, dark
lashes extremely perilous to the mas
culine hearts too plentiful about her.
Colford was full Of young men.
There was college, and naval
academy and a pianoforte manufac.
tory there; then Calford was head,
quarters for artists-the scenery was
so beautiful. And it CHANGED that
there were few young ladies IN the
town.
Peter Peppers was widower. He
had browbeaten hls little wife to death
when she was very young. She had
left him two aughters-Rebecca who
was made of the same harsh material
as her father, and Jessica, who was
exceedingly like what her mother had
been. There was no danger of any
one falling in love with Rebecca-or
Becca, as she was called.
Her tart and puckery countenance
carried terror to the stoutest mascu-
line heart, and she was left whitening
on the stem, III her thirty second sum
mer Her father found in her a spirit
equal to his own, but they both agreed
In keeping q strict watch upon Jessica.
Yet, in spite of continual scolding and
faulJ-fndiHg, Jessica continued to be
as happy as a bird She had youth
and hope on her side, and she could
hardly fail to go abroad without get
ting d hint of her power.
Jessica had been allowed the priv
ilege of an intimate friend, very
sweet girl, afflicted win lameness,
named Olive Allys; but Olives two
brothers came home from the sea, and
this intimacy was interdicted by Mr..
Peppers.
Jessica was no more to visit hel
friend.
To do Mr. Peppers justice, he was
very fond of Jessica and proud of her
He knew she Was charming and good
and, without much foreth0ught, de
termined TO keep her to himself.
But fate and Mr.. D'Albert were toe
much for Mr.. Peppers intentions.
Mr.. D'Albert was the principal OF
the naval academy. He saw Jessics
and QpOn meeting her again at 3
church party, asked his landEady fol
an introduction 10 her.
Mrs. Japouica hesitated, declaring
Actually, I daren't. Mr.. Pepper;
wouldn't Ike It,"
But should" laughed Mr.. DIAL
bert
''Mr. Peppers never allows gentle
men to pay attention to Jessica. L
it were Becca, now, the case would bt
different"
''It's not Becca. l wouldn't kiss
Becca for forty pounds.
Mercy! Well, when you get {
chance to kiss Jessioa, let me know.
81 will"
Mr.. D'Albert went away and found
some more daring soul to Introduce
him to Jessica.
He stood by her side some ten minu
ties, saying the usual pleasant moth
ings OF society, admiring the smiling
red mouth and dimpled cheeks, anC
guessing at the length of the curlins
dark lashes, when Mr.. Peppers, dis
covered the situation, with a porten
tous putting up of his under lip
fastened upon the scene, and. frown
ing heavily into Mr.. D'Albert'
handsome face, drew Jaassica away
Mr.. D'Albert's quiet smile told tina