Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-10-02
CHAPTER XXI.--CoNrrsuEp.

yUBLIbHED BY PEUhISSION OF D. II. DOWNht
& Co., PUBLISHERS, CHICAGO.
CHAPTER XXI--CoNTINuED.
From Erastus they heard but seldom,
put knew him to be at work on his claim
at the Slough.
Mrs. Parsons had written him of the
destruction of the old home, and of
rheir removal to the new, soon after its
occurrence, and also of Jennie's mar
riage to Ensign and their removal to
Chicago.
OfLucy's breaking with Mr.. Annel-
sey she did not write, thinking possibly
1t might not be permanent, in which
case It would be better for Erastus, if
still feeling attached to Lucy, not to
have his hopes raised to be again dashed
70 the ground.
Mr.. Annelsey, however, did not plead
very earnestly with Lucy to reconsider
her action in dismissing him. 1t was
several weeks before his reply came;
and then, while he expressed regret at
her decision, he did not urge her
very strongly to reverse it Knowing
that his parents would oppose his mar
riage with poor girl, he had not in
formed them of his engagement, and
no comments would therefore be made
NJ its being annulled; n fact upon which
he now congratulated himself.
He had already begun to feel his at
fection for Lucy weaken with absence;
was. in fact, becoming enamored of an
other young lady in whose society he
had frequently been thrown since his
return to New York, and whose posi-
ton in wealth was equal to his own;
and although he told himself that Lu-
probable that after the shock to his self
esteem was over he was rather glad
than otherwise.
If Lucy expected or desired more
vehement protcstation of love from her
disguarded suitor than she received, her
manner upon opening his letter did not
reveal it.
She read the letter in the presence
of the family. and then calmly handed
1T to h mother. The next day she
replied to it, reiterating her desire to
be free f,om their engagement and ask
ing the return of her letters.
II shall send yours, together with the
ring and other jewelry, by the same
mail that takes this letter." she wrote
him, and having scaled il and seen it,
IN company with the package, safely on
its way to the Office, she went about her
usual duties with cheerful, even mer
ry air, which was . great source OF COM
fort to her parents, and of especial sat
isfaction TO her father.
"if Rastus 'ud only come back now
1t 'ud be all right" he mused, and feel
ing certain that the young mans affec-
tion for Lucy had not waned because
of absence, fully expected him to come
back and ask her TO be his wife.
For this he waited with impatience,
wondering at Erastus' delay and in.
venting excuses for it.
aspect the poor fellow hasn't jest
got the money by him to come or" he
said to himself.
And then again: ''May be he's put
tin in his crop an wants to finish so
it will be CROWN while he's gone" Or,
''like enough, he's a-workin' for some
body else for a spell an can't honorably
get OF right away
But rs the weeks passed into months
md the only evidence that Erastus had
not forgotten chem was letter express
ing his sorrow at the loss of their home,
and hope that he might some time as
sist them If they should require it, but
never word about Lucy or any inten-
tion ofvisiting the family, all hope oi
seeing Lucy married to the man whom
he loved as a son and respected for his
manly. qualities began to die out OF
JOIN Parsons bosom.
"'Ra=tus was always awful proud"
he said to himself, ''an' / reckon he
can't get over the girls prefcrrin' oil
that young jackanapes to him in the
first place"
He still supposed that Mrs. Parsons
had written Era tus of Lucy's dismissal
Of Annelsey. and it was not until
months had passed and summer was
giving place TO fall that he learned diff
ierently.
He had never mentioned his hope thai
the young folks would "make up" tc
any one.
Erastus knew that Lucy was with hei
parents. but supposed her only waiting
for her afiianced to come and claim her
and SO worked on, striving to conquer
his love, but never succeeding, even fol
moment.
And Lucy, although knowing that sh,
loved Erastus, had always loved him
either supposed that he knew of hel
broken engagement, and knowing j
was silent because he had no love fol
her, or, If she suspected he did MOI
know. was restrained by maidcnly re
serve from taking any steps to acquain
him with the fact.
One day Mrs. Parsons was helpini
aer husband in the garden, when some
hing was said about Erastus.
II WONDER" remarked Mrs. Parsons
"what he is doing nowP IL is goo,
while since we heard from him. j wisl
| knew how he is getting along. Poo
roy, lie must have hard time of
with no one TO keep his clothes in orde
or do thing for him. wonder II h'
pYer thinks OF getting married.
"Of course he must" she added. an
Iwering her own question; "he has go
\ little start by this time and ever.
young man on farm needs wife.
hope he will get a good one when b
soes marry"
John Parsons gave his clothes littl
aitch, a habit he had when at loss 10
WORD. Then turning his back to hi
Hifc and putting an extra bit Of foro
INTO the hoe he was using, sald
~ had sort o. thought may be he an
Lucy'd make up, now Annclsey's out {
6s way bgs Y seems th0y DON