Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1891-01-01
JENNIE'S LOVERS.
A SomewhatOr Original New Year
Novelette,.

Introductory NOte.-The author desires
to call the attention of the reading pub
lie to the following New \ ear s NOVeletCe
and to prepare them for the surprises
that await them in case they should de-
eide to read it.
There is, for instance, one character
familiar to the readers of Christmas and
New Years novels, who is conspicuous
in my novelette, by his complete alb
sence. refer to the aged tramp who
has seen better days, and who invaria-
bly, selects this season of the year, when
everybody else is in good humor, to go
out in the snow and die of a hemorrhage,
listening to the chimes, etc. The poor,
old man has been thus utilized ever since
1 can remember, and 1 have assumed
the responsibility of committing his SEN
tence, so to speak.
There is another individual who will
not be allowed to figure in my novelette,.
1 refer to the missing prodigal son who
turns up on New Years eve while his
mother is wondering where he is. He
has reformed and has come home to see
how the family is fixed for veal. This
year, if can prevent it, his mother and
father will not clasp him to their bosom.
1t is usual for many great literary
writers to assure the public that the
story is a true one. Here, too, propose
to deviate. My story is lie out of
whole cloth. Nothing like it ever has,
or ever can occur l intend to be strict
ly original, even at the risk of having
my article returned. (Signed)
THE AUTHOR.
/ had loved Jennie Finklepaugh
from my earliest infancy, We went to
the same school in New England vii
Iage, and passion increased so rapidly
that when l had reached the age of
eleven made up my mind to propose
on the first opportunity. She was one
of numerous family of children, but
she was the only one cared for. The
opportunity to propose occurred on New
Years eve.
NoTE-It really occurred much later
in the season, but as this is New Years
novelette, have mendaciously stated
that it occurred on that day.
There was a childrens party at the
Finklepaugh mansion. watched my
chance when nobody was looking, and
having coralled Jennie in the hall, l
took her little hand in mine, and said
firmly in a tremulous voice:
"Ahem! Miss Finklepaugh, desire
to ask you question upon your answer
to which my future depends. l love
YOU with an ever increasing intensity,
and fain would call you my wife. Let
us wed, and l will come and live with
your folks, for my cruel father might
oppose our union. What dost thou sayF"
As is obligatory in such cases, she
cast down her eyes, and replied:
81 think pa has got enough children
in his family already"
This reply was not as encouraging as
it might have been, but when she taunt-
ed me with my poverty, saying in cold,
bitter accents that she would never mar
rv man who was not able to provide
her with sealskin sacque, l began to
smell a "mice." L did not leave the
house Indignantly until after had done
Justice to the eatables. l must have
eaten about seven pounds of ice cream
and delicacies, after which l went to
New York. and plunged into the wild
excitement of Wall street speculation.
l became immensely wealthy and had
pie for breakfast, but the lovely face OF
my first love was not even then out OF
my sight.
After many years ! returned to my
native village I wore such good clothes
that nobody recognized me. In the
meantime Jennie had married Bill Boo
zle, u school mate of mine, and they