The Princeton union., 1890-11-20

farther for wife. provided the
charming Miss b. could by any
means be Induced to be made the
wife Of Jonas jerks.
She wasjust 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
qualifications in himself. That was
the woman for him, thought Jonas,
as he bade them "good night 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 springing across the gut
ter with the agility of young clark"
but no one saw Jonas return to his
lonesome home. He was blessed
with pleasant dreams for the two
succeeding nights, and on the third
evening he again found himself in the
society of his admired. At the close
Of his second visit, he went home
even happier than from the first; for
in addition to his increasing admira-
ton OF the lady Miss Barker-he felt
assured by her evident exertions to
entertain him pleasantly, that his
feelings were reciprocated. Mrs. Bar
kcr was no less attentive, and he
could not but believe that his mo-
tives, were anticipated with pleasure
to all concerned.
One unfortunate circums tance,
however, to which all persons were
as yet strangers-must be named be-
fore going farther with thecourtship.
Owing partly to Mr.. Barker's care
lessness in introducing the ladies as
his wife and sister, merely; and part
ly to the bachelors confusion in con-
fronting two women at a time, he
had most unwittingly mistaken one
for the other! AS there appears to
be little difference in their ages, and
each seemed alike at home and equal
ly familiar with the husband and
brother, it would have been no easy
matter for a stranger at first &C
quaintance to distinguish between
them. They had the habit, too, of
addressing each other by their Chris
tian names, and, the titles Of Mrs.
and Miss were not used for once in
his presence.
The truth was, Jonas had been
deeply smitten with Mrs. Barker,
who was rather the prettier of the
two, and who, not suspecting the
bachelors error, strove with unusal
interest to make matters agreeable
in behalf Of her sister-in-law.
Week after week passed away, dur
ing which time Jonas performed pen
ance for his past negligence by
"dressing up'' Sunday night, and en-
deavoring to make himself agreeable
to the ladies; and when two months
had elapsed, he had formed a 'snever-
tO-be-gOt-over' attachment for Mrs.
Barker.
1t was a cruel deception, butno one
was to blame, for no one knew it,.
Mrs. Barker noticed that he often ad-
dressed her as Miss B., but knowing,
him to be rather illiterate, and un-
skilled in the rules Of etiquette, she
thought it might be a slip of the
tongue merely, and considered it un-
ladylil1e to correct him.
Jonas began to feel that suspense
was unpleasant, and set his wits at
work to frame proposal to hislady-
love. At every previous visit, it hap
pened that the family we're all present,
and no opportunity had presented
when he might "free his mind"
This last time, however, he was
more fortunate. Mrs. Barker was
alone, and informed him that Otis
and sister had gone out to make a
call, but would soon return. Jonas
did not express much sorrow at their
absence, but smiled pleasantly as he
seated himself very near Mrs. Barker
and remarked that he had no fault
to find with her company.
Now was his time, he thought; but
how was it to be done? At first, he
thought best to open the subject
abruptly, and have it over at once;
but Mrs. B. kept on chatting and
talking, and his embarrassment in
creased as he momentarily expected
the return of Otis and his sister,
which would oblige him to go home
again without settling the question.
At length he summoned all the
courage of an ardent lover, and COM
menced with:
"My dear madam, forgive me for
speaking my mind frankly, when
assure you that the happiest mo.
ments Of my life have been spent in
your society,""
"Thank you, sir, for the compli.
ment," said Mrs B. "It gives me
pleasure to see you in society. 1 am
confident that you will enjoy life
much better than in the retirement
and solitude which you have so long
suffered. Otis feels a deep interest ir
you, and as his friend, I shall always
be pleased to entertain you to the
best Of my abilities.'
"Ah-hem! Thank you," blunderec
out the old bachelor. II am per
suaded that a bachelors life is not
the happiest in the world, and if it is
not too late, l purpose to amend or