Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-04-04

ton, and he was too brave to get rid of
himself by any such means.
He had thought OF Clarissa good deal,
too, in that afternoon. He felt that he
liked her more than any other girl he had
ever seen, but to live with her always, to
meet her at morning, noon and night,
when she would smile and speak TO him,
and he would have to smile and speak TO
her back ae ain, was more than he could
endure even in thought. He felt that it
would be bliss TO have her in the house,
that MS home would grow brighter, that
his life would be more complete; but he
wanted to be out of sight himself. If ne
could have peep holes in the walls,
through which to watch her where she
could not see him, and crannies through
which her voice could reach his ears
where he was hidden, he felt he could be
happy and content.
| The more he thought the matter over
the more UNDECIDED and embarrassed he
| became. If he could only forget himself
for that day, oh, how happy he felt he
could be.
! His mother shamed him and cheered
| him by turns until at times he fully made
| up his mind to br We it out and face tn
! girls; then again he would wilt and wa
on the point to run away from everything
and hide himself in the woods.
| Il was about O'Clock when Mrs. Ran
dom hustled him into his room, telling
hIm to change his everyday clothes for
mis- holiday suit and make himself tidy
and neat. When he was inside the room
she turned the key in the lock and shut
him in, prisoner.
at is the safest way" she smiled to
herself. "No telling what the foolish boy
would do if he were left to himself. I
fairly believe he would run away. 1 have
set my heart on his marrying Clarrissa
Jones, and l know she Is willing if she
only had CHARGE"
! Jerry, left to himself, stood irresolute
for few minutes, then he sut his teeth
with a decisive snap and set about in
good earnest TO get ready.
at is no use to kick. Mother is set
on it and L can't help myself. It is for
! my own good, too, so [ will be brave for
once, and if Clarissa asks me I'll accept
her sure" he muttered.
A few minutes later there was sound
of merry laughter outside, and when Jer-
ry looked through the window he could
see that some of the girls had arrived.
! In moment his brave resolution faded
away, and he was the blushing, bashful
Jerry of old.
| Every moment the dread of having to
meet the girls grew stronger upon him,
| until at last he could stand it no longer.
| Then he lifted the window, crawIed
| through it to the outside and sped away
across fields and fences until he reached
the woods. Shortly Afterwards his moth
er went and unlocked the door. She call
ed on him TO come out, but when she re-
ceiVed no answer she peered into the
room cautiously ard found it empty.
! The girls had followed her at her invi-
tatlon, and she turned round to them.
| "He is gone" she said, "buG he cannot
| be far away, for there is his hat en- the
bed. He is about the house somewhere.
Let's GO and find him"
| They scattered and with merry laugh
ter began the search, expecting to meet
him fAoe to face behind every door and
corner, but of course they failed to find
him. Jerry was in other company. He
had jumped off of the frying pan into
the fire, as it were.
When he dashed into the timber he
struck a trail that led through the woods.
He was moving along at a lively gait
when some one called his name aud he
stopped suddenly.
"Oh, Jerry, 1 am so glad you came.
We're you looking for me-" said voice
in fearful tones.
Jerry looked around. There sat CIar-
issa upon the ground beside the trail
81 run-that is, came here-oh, good.
ness" groaned Jerry, growing pale and
red bv turns.
Il am SO glad" said Clarissa. 81
slipped on that root over there, and
sprained my ankle SO badly that cannot
touch my foot TO the ground. I have
been sitting here almost crying, for l
don't know how long"
"I'l go and tell mother" he said
"Oh, you big old goose, you," laughed
the girl, then added more soberly,
''oome here, Jerry, and help me to get
up"
Jerry approached her looking very
sheepish.
'.Now stoop down SO 1 can reach YOU"
said Ciarissa.
Jerry bent over her slightly.
"Stoop lower" she commanded; GLOW
er, lower yet" as he bent over gradually.
Atlast she reached up and put both her
arms around his neck.
Jerry never stirred.
"Oh, Jerry, why do you act so foolish
Iyf" che cried, pouting her pretty lips.
Sect hold of me and lift me up"
II can't, I, that is, where shall take
holdY"
"Why put your arms around me and
lift me up. What goose you are Jerry,
to be sure"
Jerry did as he was directed, and the
next moment Clarissa was standing on
one little foot beside him.
She tried to walk, but the attempt
brought moan to her lips.
ooh, Jerry, can't walk. What shall I
do" she asked, looking up into his face
appealingly.
"I don't know. III run and ask moth
err" said Jerry, heIplessly.
mo, don't leave me here Alone" she
pleaded. do you think you could carry
me to the house?'
"I-that is-goodness! I'll get the
wagon"
time. Don't you think you could carry
me in your aIRs?"
"Oh, goodness!" grosned Jerry.
''Now, just lift me up just like you
would baby-I amt much heavier than
one-snd will hold you around the neck
and hug you right good"
Jerry at last was induced TO try it,
much against his will. He took ner up
in his arms right carefully, and she
| twined her aims around his neck.
| She was not very heavy load in his
strong arms.
When they came in sight of the house
there was Mrs. Random and the girls
standing on the porch.
''Look! look!" they cried in chorus,