The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-03-27
SELECT STORY.
JOHN AND NELLIE.

l ou tnusJ ID" prepa'en LOT Dllnu niau
buff and forieits"
"HorribIe Molly, left those games
behind me long ago
"Well, when you're in Rome you
must do AZ Romans do Forget you
are Miss Nellie Munrue, of Madison
Square, and l am sure you will enjoy
yuurelf.'
"All right, Molly; III be country
girl just like the rest. You'll see how
l shall enjoy myself"
The two girls wrre consirs, NJ lily
and Nellie Munroe Molly was the
country minister's daughter, and Mel
lies father was a wealthy New York
banker. She had inst arrived on a
visit to Mnlly's home in Grassmere.
They had been Invited to merry-ma-
king at a neighbors and Molly was
very much afraid her stylish cousin
Nellie would be shocked at the gay
romping games she had grown a, Gus
toned to, but which were so different
from The stately parties she had wit
messed at NellIes city home.
About seven o'clock the girl fitted
down the stairs to the minister's study.
"Wcll, uncle, do l lock like a city
girl now ?"
The transformation was complete.
Before she had disappeared from the
tea table she was Il perfect specimen OF
beautiful New York girl-from the
top (Which wasn't very far off) of her
puff crowued head to the tip of her
French kid boot, which peeped from a
dress Of three marvelously mingled
shades Now q demure maiden stood
before him in simple, neatly fitting
white dress. A blue sca,f was tied
around her waist and her hair, arrang-
ed in four heavy curls, dropping to the
ends of the sack, was tied back from
The sparkling face with blue ribbon.
"Whv, little niece, before supper you
were Miss McFIimsey, Of Madison
Square, aud now you are country
dasy."
"Tnats just what / wanted you tc
say, uncle. Molly is afraid | won't en-
Joy myself; but I'm gong to show her
Doesn't she look nice : rm afraid the
young farmers won't look at me-
"Now, Nell, no hatlery Come, we
don't make point of being late Come,
father !"
The immense room which had been
cleared of all furniture except chairs
was well filled. Nellie was much
amused by the way the youths all gol
by themselves, as far from the girls as
they could; but she restrained hei
smiles and took oh ervations instead
Among the young men she noticed
many tall, splendidly developed figures
with fine heads and intelligent faces
who were evidently longing for the re
strant to be broken. She could not
help comparing them with the gentle
men of her set at home-the bewhis
kered exquisites-among whom sh,
had searched for an original idea.
Nellie's little head held good dea
cf common sense although one of ;
glittering social circle, she had Away,
taken the glitter for what it was worth
knowing that there were etter thing,
in life.
But now affairs began to grow live
ler. Some one proposed blindman'.
buff, and merry scurrying around be
gan. Nellie had plenty to do to keel
herself from being canght, for it wa
no feint at the ancient game. A
length her turn came, and the blind
man touching one of the thick curls
said instantly: Miss Molly's friend.
SO she stood quietly for her eyes to b.
hsndaged, and then with quicl
spring, caught some one standing near
But that was judged not fair, so sh
was turned around and asked "Hnv
many horses has your father = and Sc
free. A long chase and her fingers en-
countered something 1t was coat
sleeve, and Nellie's little hand strayin,
up farther felt silky whisker. Now
Nellie had been introduced to a fine
manly fellow, with brown whiskers, s.
she guessed it must be he; and so
was-"Mr Grey"
The game proceeded amid laugh ant
shout, until, breathless, they stopped
Then the iorf"its began. Twirl tn
platter was played, and Nellie wa
forced TO give up the ribbon whic
bound her curls. In suspense sh
heard her sentence pronounced
"Tnc lady must take a gentlcma
! and walk around the house twice; tn
second tine they may kiss and com
in. John Grey is the gentleman
"Oh, NJ lily !" Nellie whispered, "
can't had rather stay in here an,
do it. if must"
"Nellie, you said you'd be countr
girl, just as the rest. There isn't on
here hut would give her eyes to be il
your place"
So Nellie, poor child, was escorte,
by her tall cavalier ont, amid the grea
laughter of the company.
Once they walked around the house
end when th"y reached the door tn
second time John Grey stopped an'
said
miss Munroe, | will release yo
from this part of the forfeit if yol
wish; although it would give me tn
most intense pleasure to take it.
Looking up, Nellie met his eye
looking down at her with an inexplica
bic look She murmured something
about "very kind and he continued !;
"The only reoompense shall asl
will be the privilege of eseorting yo'
home this evening, and of keeping thi
ribbon when yon have done with it"
Nellie tied up her curls, and the,
walked back very composedv anon!
the waiting young people, The even
ing ended with the "ugly mug" {
dance by all, standing as in the Vir
giuia reel, all singing aud acting:
81 put my ugly mug in,
put my ugly mug out,
l give my ugly mug shake, shake, shake
And turn myself about"
John Grey walked home with tn,
cousin, and Nellie slipped the ,ribbor
into his hand at parting.
Love at first sight-there may not b'
such a thing; but it certainly happen
that when two pure souls look through
each others eyes, the world is neve
quit the same after that
Il al, =,