Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-12-04
BSSICA'S WOOER.

ESSICA'S W00ER.
1t 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
IL, with round rosebud face, wealth
of dark brown hair, and the sweetest
temper in the world. 1t was 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 sunbeam; or, as
the young men irreverently said, a
pompous old turkey-cock escorting a
dove.
lie glared about to the right and
left, snorting defiance at admirers, 50
that the sunbeam glowed and the dove
nuttered under very difficult circum-
stances. But there she was, in spite
of the peculiar oppression, the bright
est, sweetest creature you can imagine;
and with a native bit of coquetry
about her, too, that made even the
lifting of those curling, dark lashes
extremely perilous to the masculine
hearts SO plentiful about her. Calford
was full OF young men.
There were college, and naval
academy, and pianoforte manufac-
tory there; then Calford was headquar
ters for artists-the scenery was so
beautiful. And it chanced that there
were few young ladies in the town.
Peter Peppers was widower. He
had brow-beaten his little wife to
death when she was very young. She
had left him two daughters Rebecca,
who was made of the same harsh ma
ierial s-her father, and Iessica, wlsa
was exceedingly like what the mother
had been. There was no danger of
any one falling in love with Rebecca-
or Becca, as she was called.
Her tart AMI puckery countenances
carried terror to the stoutest masculine
heart, and she was left withering on
the stem, in her 32d summer. Her
father found in her spirit equal TO
his own, but they both agreed in keep
ing strict watch upon Jessica Yet,
in spite of continual scolding and
fault finding, Jessica continued to be
as happy as bird. 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 tne privi-
lege of an intimate friend, very
sweet girl, afflicted 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, lie was
very fond of Jessica and proud of her.
He knew she was charming and good,
and, without much forethought, de-
termined to keep her to himself.
But fate and Mr.. D'Albert were too
much for Mr.. Peppers's intentions.
Mr. D'Albert was the principal of
the naval academy. He saw Jessica,
and, upon meeting her again at a
church party, asked his landlady for
an introduction to her.
Mrs. Japonica hesitated, declaring:
Actually / daren't. Mr.. Peppers
wouldn't like it
"But | should" laughed Mr.. DIAL
bert.
"Mr. Peppers never allows gentle.
men to pay attention to Jessica If it
were Becca, now, the case would be
different"
Its not Becca. wouldn't kiss
Becca for fifty pounds"
Mercy Well, when you get
chance to kiss Jessica, 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 min
utes, saying the usual pleasant moth
ings OF society, admiring the smiling
red mouth and dimpled cheeks, and
guessing at the length of the curling
dark lashes. when Mr.. Peppers, discov-
ering the situation, with a portentious
putting up of his under lip hastened
upon the scene. and, frowning heavily
into Mr.. D'Alberts handsome face,
drew Jessica away.
Mr.. DAlbert's quiet smile told that
he understood the situation, and look
ers-on laughed. but no one guessed the
end of this beginning.
Mr.. D'Albert did not guess it him
self until weeks had flown, and he had
accumulated a vast deal of informa-
tion concerning the Peppers.
Then he became acquainted with
olive Allys. and the latter spoke of
her friend with enthusiasm.
IF | were young man." concluded
Olive, excitedly, I'D fall in love with
Jessica, and run away with her. She