Connecticut western news., 1885-12-02
JESSICA'S WO0ER.

It was very foolish of MT. 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 IF. with round rosebud face, wealth of dark brown hair, and the sweetest temper in the world. It was a 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, pompous 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 fiuttered 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 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 ot young men.
 There were college, and a 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 terial as her father. and Jessica, who 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 anl puckery countenances carried terror to the stoutest masculine heart, and she was left whitening 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 Jessiea. Yet. in spite of continual scolding and fault finding 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 hint of her power.
 Jessica had been allowed the privi- lege of an intimate friend, a very sweet girl, afflicted with lameness, named Olive Allys; but Olives two brothers came home from the sea, and this intimacy was interdicted by MT. Peppers.
 Jessica was no more to visit her friend
 To do MT. Peppers justice, he 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 Mir. D'Albert were too much for Mir. Peppers's intentions.
 MT. 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 I daren't MT. Peppers wouldn't like it."
 But should" laughed Mir. D'Al, bert.
 "Mr. Peppers never allows gentle men to pay attention to Jessica If il were Becca, now, the case would be different"
 "It's not Becca I wouldn't kis: Becca for fifty pounds"
 "Mercyl Well, when you get { chance to kiss Jessica, let me know"
 "I will"
 Mir. D'Albert went away and fount some more daring soul to introduc' him to Jessica.
 He stood by her side some ten min utes, saying the usual pleasant noth ings of society, admiring the smiling red mouth and dimpled cheeks, an( guessing at the length of the curling dark lashes, when MT. Peppers, discov ering the situation, with a portentiou. putting up of his under lip, hastene( upon the scene, and, frowning heavily into MT. D'Albert's handsome face drew Jessica away.
 MT. D'Albert's quiet smile told tha he understood the situation, and look ers-on laughed, but no one guessed tn end of this beginning.
 MT. D'Albert did not guess it him self until weeks had flown, and he ha accumulated vast deal of informa tion concerning the Peppers.
 Then he became acquainted wit Olive Allys, and the latter spoke o her friend with enthusiasm.
 .If were d young man." conclude Olive, excitedly, lid fall in love wit Taasiea and rnn awav with her. gh