The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-12-03
JEssICA,S WOOER.


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
II, with round rosebud face, wealth
of dark brown hair, and the sweetest
temper in the world. 1t 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, a
pompous old turkey-cock escorting a
dove.
He elared about to the right and
left, snorting defiance at admirers, so
that the sunbeam glowed and the dove
huttered 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
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 AMI puckery countenances
carried terror to the stoutest masculine
heart, and she was left whitening on
the stem, in her 32d summer. Hell
father found in her spirit equal tc
his own, but they both agreed in keep,
ing strict watch upon Jessica. Yet
In spite of continual scolding and
fault-fnding, 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 the privi
fege of an intimate friend, a very
sweet girl, afflicted with lameness
named Olive Allys; but Olives two
brothers camehome from the sea, ant
this intimacy was interdicted by Mr.
Peppers.
Jessica was no more to visit he,
friend.
To do Mr.. Peppers justice, he wa
eery 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. DAlbert were to-
much for Mr.. Peppers's intentions.
Mr.. D'Albert was the principal 0
the naval academy. He saw Jessica
and, upon meeting her again at
church party, asked his landlady 70
an introduction to her.
Mrs. Japonica hesitated, declaring:
Actually I daren't. Mr.. Pepper
wouldn't like it.
"But l should" laughed Mr.. D'Al
bert.
"Mr. Peppers never allows gentle
men to pay attention to Jessica. If
were Becca, now, the case would b
different"
"It's not Becca. l wouldn't kis
Becca for fifty pounds"
"Mercy! Well, when you get
chance to kiss Jcssica, let me know"
II will"
Mr.. D'A!bert went away and foun
some more daring soul to introduc
him to Jessica.
He stood by her side some ten mil
, utes, saying the usual pleasant nott
ings of society, admiring the smilin
red mouth and dimpled checks, an
guessing at the length OF the curlin
dark lashes, when Mr.. Peppers, disco'
ering the situation, with portentiol
putting up of his under lip, hastene
upon the scene, and, frowning heavi
into Mr.. D'Albert's handsome fac
drew Jessica away.
- Mr.. D'Albert's quiet smile told TIL
he understood the situation, and Loo
ers-on laughed, but no one guessed Il
end of this beginning.
Mr.. D'Albert did not guess it hir
self until weeks had flown, and he hi
accumulated a vast deal of inform
tion concerning the Peppers.
Then he became acquainted wi
Olive Allys, and the latter spoke
). her friend. with enthusiasm.
al "If / were young man" conclud
Olive. excitedly, sI'd fall in love wi