Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-10-30
JESSICA AT The SEASIDE.

1t was very foolish Of Mr.. Peppers
TO think he could keep Jesslca from
falling in love, and other people from
falling in love with ,jessica-ske was
altogether too pretty for that. Just
seventeen, with = round, rosebud face,
a wealth of dark brown hair, and the
sweetest temper in the world. 1t was
a sight to SEQ her upon her weather
beaten, choleric old fathers arm on
the way TO church. He looked like IA
thunder cloud which had captured a
sunbeam; or, as the young men ir-
reverently said, pcmpois old turkey
cock escortIng dove.
He glarcd about to the right and
left, snoring defiance at admirers, SO
that the sunbeam glOwed and the
dove hItiered under very difficult CIR
cumstances But there she was, in
spite of the p, culiar 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
culino hearts TOO plentiful about her
Colford was full Of youRg men.
There was college, and naval
academy and n pianoforto manufac
tory there; then Calford was head
quarters for artists the scenery was
30 beautiful. And it CHANGED that
there were few young ladies in the
town.
Peter Peppers Ntas wldower. He
had browbeaten his little wife to death
when she was very young. She had
left him two daughters 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 ptoutest mascu-
line heart, and she WAS left whitening
on the stem, in ner thirty second sum
mer Her father found in her spirit
equal to his own, but they both agreed
in keeping strict watch upon Jessica
Yet, in spite Of continual scolding and
fault-fndiEg, JoSslca continued 10 be
AS happy as a bid She had youth
and hope on her side, and she could
hardly fail to go abroad without get
ting hint of her power.
Jessica had been allowed tho priv
ilege of an intimate friend, very
sweet girl, all cted with 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 her
friend.
TO do Mr. Peppers justice, he was
very fond Of Jessica and proud of her.
lie knew she was charming and good,
and, without much forethmught, de
termined To keep her to himself.
But fate and Mr.. D'Albcrt were too
much for Mr. Peppers intentions.
Mr.. D'Albert was the principal of
the naval academy. lie saw Jessica
and upon meeting her again at a
church party, asked his land!ady for
an introduction 10 her.
Mrs. Japouica hesitated, declaring {:
Actually, daren't. Mr.. Peppers
wouldn't like IT"
But lshould,' laughed Mr.. Dali
bert
mfr. Peppers never allows gentle
men TO pay attention TO Jessica. Ii
1t were Becca, now, the ease would be
different"
Its not Becca | wouldn't kiss
Becca for forty pounds.
Mercy Well, when you get a
chance 10 kiss Jessica, let me know"
II will"
Mr. D'Albert went away snd found
some moro daring soul to introduce
hlm to JessiCa.
He stood by her side some ten miuu
ties, saying tho usual pleasant moth
ings OF society, admirlug the smiling
red mouth and dimpled cheeks, and
guessing at the length of the curling
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's
handsome face, drew JaassIca away.
Mr.. D'Albert'S quiet smile told that
he understood the situation, and the
lookers>on laughed. but no one guess.
ed the end Of this beginning
Mr.. D'Albert did not guess it him~
self until weeks had flown, and he
had accumulated vast deal of infor-
nation concerning the Peppers.
Then he became acquainted with
Olive Allys, and the latter spoke of
her friend with enthusiasm.
''lf were young man, concluG-
ed Olive, excitedly, I'D fall in love
with Jessica, and run away with her.
She is so bright and pretty, and she
never gets taken out for concert, or
a ride, or q sail, as other girls do
They keep her as close as nun, and
will until she's dried to parchment,
Ike Becca. | don't see how Jessica
stands i'll don't"
Mr.. D'Albcrt had spells OF deep
thought after this conversation, es.
pecially on learning that the only
place where JesSica was allowed to
walk of Sunday evening was in the
cemetery. From his window it
CHANGED, too. that he could see the
back garden where Jessica sewed and
read and tended her plants and canary,
and daily his respect and interest
deepened. He had half dozen merry
joyous young sisters at home, and
dwelt on the contrast.
Now, it happened that Jessics
thought as much of Mr.. D'Albert as
Mr.. D'Albert thsught of Jessics.
She knew his window In Mrs. Jap
opica's preten:ious boarding house
knew his horse when he galloped past
her fathers door; knew-at least, well
enough where tho lovely flowers
came from which sometimes reached
her.
Olive Allys had beautiful garden,
and Becca thought Olive sent them,
but Jessica knew we'll enough that the
choice selection came from All unex-
pected quarter.