The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1888-10-25

49, Wv IN itont " CONer The VACANCY
that was left between them and his
very short vest, he fancied himsel,
quite a dandy. By exercising more
patience and perseverance than he had
| ever had occasion for before in his life,
he was armed and equipped at hall.
past eve o'clock and on his way to
his friend, Otis Barker.
Fortunately for his difidence and
a"Swardness in company there were
none but the members Of the family
present. and he was introduced to Mrs.
and Miss Barker, and enjoyed a very
pleasant chat with them during the
evening. Every movement of the young
lady was watched by the bachelor; aud
before the evening was spent he had
made up his mind to seek no farther
Tor a wife, provided the charming Miss
b could by any can be induced to
be made the wife of Jonas jerks.
She was just the model, just the style
OF beauty that he most admired. She
was pleasing in conversation, free and
graceful in her manners, and seemed
to be in every way suited to make up
for the sad deficiency of those qualif-
cations IN himself. That was the
woman for him, thought Jonas. us he
bade them goodnight" at ten. with a
hearty promise that he would certainly
call again soon.
Had the night not been very dark it
would, no doubt, have been a cause Of
much querrying and wonder to have
seen the clumsy old bachelor tripping
along upon the toes Of his boots, and
sprlnging across the gutter with the
OF ayoung lark, but no one saw
Jonas return to his lonesome home.
tie was blessed with pleasant dreams
for the two succeeding nights, and on
The third evening he again found him
self in the society of his admired. At
the close Of his second visit, he went
even happier than from the first;
in addition to his increasing admi-
of the lady-Miss Barker-he
assured by her evident eyertions
entertain him pleasantly, that his
ceilings were reciprocated. Mrs.
was no less attentive, and he
Gould not but believe that his motives
We're anticipated with pleasure to all
Concerned.
One unfortunate circumstance, how
sver, to which all parties were as yet
'trangers-must be named before go
ng farther with the courtship. Owing
partly to Mr.. Bankers carelessnes5 in
Introducing the ladies as his wife and
sister, merely; and partly to the bach
confusion in confronting two
women at n time. he had most unwit-
ingly mistaken one for the other, As
here appeared to be but little differ
nee in their ages, and each seemed
like at home and equally familiar
With the husband and brother, it would
been no easy matter for u stran-
at first acquaintance to distinguish
'etween them. They had the habit,
90, OF addressing each other by their
'hristian names, and the titles of Mrs.
nd Miss were not used for once In his
.resence.
The truth was, Jonas had been deep
V smittcn with Mrs. Barker. who was
ather the prettier Of the two, and who,
ct suspecting the bachelors error,
with unusal interest to make
agreeable in behalf of her sis
Week after week passed away, dur
~ which time Jonas performed pen
nee for his past negligence by "dress-
lg up" every Sunday ,ight. and en-
eavoring to make himself agreeable
} the ladies; and when two months
ad elapsed, he had formed a never
1-be-got-over' attachment for Mrs.
1t was a cruel deception, but no one
'as to blame, for no one knew it. Mrs.
.arker noticed that he often addressed
err as Miss b., but knowing him to be
lther illiterate, and unskilled in the
lies OF etiquette, she thought it might
c a slip Of the tongue merely, and con-
it unladylike to correct him.
Jonas began to feel that suspense
as unpleasant, and set his wits at
.ork to frame a proposal to his lady
we. At every previous visit, it hap
ened that the family were all present,
nd no opportunity had presented
hen he might ''free'his mind"
This last time, however, he was
lore fortunate. Mrs. Barker was
lone, and informed hir, that Otis and
.ster had gone out to make a call, but
.Ould soon return. Jonas did not ex-
ress much sorrow at their absence,
ut smiled pleasantly as he seated
very near Mrs. Barker and
'ulttIhtu luiI ilG iluu NJ idulG W HHu
it'll her company.
Now was his time, he thought; but
ow was 1t to be done? At first, he
best to open the subject
and have it over Mt once;
ut Mrs, B. kept on chatting and talk
lg, and his embarrassment increased
he m~omentarily expected the return
Otis and his sister, which would
blige him to go home again without
the question.
At length he summoned all the cour-
re of an ardent lover, and COM
fenced with:
My dear madam, forgive me for
oeaking my mind frankly, when |
SUR you that the happie8t moments
my life have bpan snrnt in vnur