Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-04-05
JOHNS CHOICE.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.
Engaged, eh?' said John Jaggett.
"Well, | never looked at it in exactly
that light before"
We've all took it for granted" said
Mrs. Jaggett, pursuing her thin lips and
knitting away very fast.
'Does she think so, nother?"
''What else can she think, John2"
al never asked her to marry me,
mother"
"There's other ways of proposing to
girls, John, except askin' 'em to marry
you in so many words" said the old
lady
John Jaggett gave his thick, brown
monstache a resentful tug.
I'm blessed if know what they are,
mother, said he.
Everybody has took it for granted,
John, repeated his mother, severely
And Melinda is capital housekeeper-
Just the girl I'd like to see in charge of
things mere, now that I'm getting old
and feeble"
john Jaggett put his hand capessingly
on his mothers shoulder.
"Why, mother, said he, ''don't talk
that way. So far as ] can see, you're as
young and spry as you ever were"
Mrs. Jaggett shook her head, mourn
fully
mo, amt John, said she. "When
woman gets to be sixty-odd, she be
gins to fail in spite of everything and
rheumatism always ran in my side of the
family. If l could only see you married
and settled down before the Lord sees fit
to call me away"
John whistled
"Timc enough, mother" said he
''quite time enough
II don't know about that, John. You
were thirty Yesterday" urged Mrs. jag
gctt
"How the dear old mother remembers
things!" said he, laughing. "And Me
linda Butts is three and thirty"
"A year or two don't make no great
odds, John"
"Well, perhaps it don't, " he assented.
John, cried the woman, as her son
took up his hat, "where are you going2'
"I'm going to New York for day or
two, to see about that new hay cutter,
mother, before the grass gets too high, :"
answered he
"To- day, john"
eyes, to-day. Why mott"
go over and see Melinda first, John.
Get something settled" pleaded Mrs.
Jaggett.
"Why, mother, what hurry you're
in TO get me married Off" he cried,
lightly.
"She expects it, john"
"Couldn't you manage it for me,
mother2o jestingly demanded the young
man.
oJohn.'
"Well, really, don't seem able to get
up any enthusiasm, said he, Struggling
his broad, handsome shoulders. ''And
I must get that hay cutter ordered We
shall have a thundery summer, and the
grass meadows must be looked after"
John Jaggett went his way to the city,
and straightway forgot all about Miss
Melinda Butts, who lived at the red
shingled farmhouse on the other side of
Skull Mountain.
She was plain and red haired, and never
seemed to have very much to say for her
self; and John Jaggett had all q mans
appreciation of beauty and softness in
womanly presence. Why should he
/ think about Melinda Butts
He ordered the hay cutter, looked in
at sale of stout farm horses, made in
/ quiries as to a new cooking stove for his
mother and finally stopped at little
millinery store, kept by former Skull
Mountain neighbor
II want to get mother lace cap or a
worsted shoulder-cape, OF something, ="
thought he.
But the store was full of strange faces,
and new name CLEANED, in newly
| painted letters, on the sign above the
| door.
Hallom said Jaggett. "What's the
natter"
Mrs Mixsel! was buried last month, "
| said the new incumbent, stout widow
with row of artificial auburn curls
which did not in the least match her back
hair. 4And poor Alice is crying her
! eyes out in the back room. P'r'apS you
/ know some of her friends? It don't stand
TO reason as can keep her here, with
three daughters of my own. And you
! know
! ''Oh, Mr.. Jaggett, uttered 4 soft. ap-
( pcaling voice from the stutfy, hslf-lighted
( little apartment beyond, sis that vou3
Oh. poor mother has died and left me,
and don't know what to do
Alice Mixsell was fair haired, mount
ain daisy -complexioned girl of seven
teen. Her blue eyes, drenched in tears,
locked piteously up tc John Jaggett -
her coral lip trembled. They were old
acquaintances, and he had always ad-
mired her. Nay, once or twice, when he
had been staying in the city. he had
taken her to a theatre matinee or pict-
ure gallery. As he looked at her sweet.
! helpless loveliuess, great wave of pro-
techng tenderness swept over his whole
| nature.
/ 'Ahce. said he, my darling! Sweet
Alice, dry your teas. Hcnceforward you
snail be my care. Get your bonnet and
things! Well 60 to the little parsonage
around the corner and be married ut once
and I'll take you back home with me =
Alice drew back-her velvet blue eyes