Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-12-31
JEssICA All THE SEASIDE.

JESSICA All THE SEASIDE.
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 seventeen,
with round, rosebud face, wealth of
dark brown hair, and the sweetest tenn
per in the world. 1t was sight to
see her upon her weather r-beaten, chol-
eric old fathers arm on the way to
church. He looked like thunder
cloud which had captured sunbeam;
or, as the young men irreverently said,
pompous old turkey-cock esoerting a.
dove.
He glared about to the right and left,
snorting defiance at admirers, SO that
the sunbeam glowed and the dove fut-
tered under very difficult circumstances.
But there she was, in spite OF the pecu-
liar oppression, the brightest, sweetest
creature you can imagine; and with q
native bit of coquetry about her, too,
that made even the lifting Of those curl
ing, dark lashes extremely perilous to
the masculine hearts so plentiful about
her. Calford was full OF young men.
There were a college, and a naval
academy and u pianoforte manufactory
there; then Calford was headquarters
for artists-the scenery was SO beauti-
full. And it chanced that there were
few young ladies in the town.
Peter Peppers was a widower. 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 Rebccca-or Becca,
as she was called.
Her tart and puckery countenance
carried terror to the stoutest masculine
heart, and she was left whitening on
the stem, in her thirty-second summer.
Her father found in her spirit equal
to his own, but they both agreed in
keeping u 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 60 abroad without getting a
hint of her power.
Jessica had been allowed the privi-
1ege of an intimate friend, very sweet
girl, afflicted with lameness, named
Olive Allys; but Olives two brothers
came home from the sea, and this in
timacy was interdicted by Mr.. Pep
pers.
Jessica was no more to visit her
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 forethought, deter
mined to keep her to himself.
But fate and Mr.. D'Albert were too
much for Mr.. Peppers 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, darcn't. Mr.. Peppers
wouldn't like it.
1.But should p laughed Mr.. DIAL
bert.
'Mr. Peppers never allows gentle
men to pay attention to Jessica. II it
were Becca, now. the case would be
different y
'.It's not Becca. wouldn't kiss
Becca for fifty pounds"
Mercy! Well, when you get a
chance to kiss Jessica, let me know" !"
II 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 dimplcd cheeks, and
guessing at the lcaglh OF the curling
dark lashes, when Mr.. Peppers, dis
covering the situation, with porten-
tous putting up of his under lip, hast
ened upon the scene, and, frowning
heavily into Mr.. D'Albert's handsome
face. drew Jessica away.
Mr.. D'Albert's quiet smile told that
he understood the situation, and the
lookers-on laughed. but no one guessed
the end of this beginning. s
Mr.. D'Albert did not guess it him
self until weeks had flown. and he had
accumulated a vast deal Of information
concerning tho Peppers
Then he became acquainted with
Olive Allys, and the latter spoke Of her
friend with enthusiasm.
III were a young man" concluded
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 u ride,
or q sail, as the other girls do. They
keep her as close rs a nun, and will
\ until she's dried 10 narQhmert. like