The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-09-05
A STAMMERING LOVER.
How He Overcame the Defect
and Won Bride.

and Won a Bride.
1t was Sunday evening. The serv-
ices at the churches had been held, and
the time-honored hour had arrived
when in New England not little
counting is done by the young people.
In accordance with the delightful
custom. John Anderson had accom-
panied Mary Beverly from church, and
they were now comfortably seated,
not too distant from each other, in the
pretty little parlor of the young lady's
home.
Mary was pious: John was not much
so, but he discussed with great appar-
ent interest the sermon to which they
had Just listened, and said that it was
mastery effort,
Mary was pleased to learn that
Johns religious views were orthodox
and sound; and when the willy young
man saw that he had produced the de-
sired effect, he began to touch on mat
ters that more nearly concerned his
heart and to manifest symptoms of
tenderness.
Emboldened by the maiden's favor
able demeanor, John at last said:
.Na-now, Ma-Mary, if you cou--
could re-regard me as more than
fra-friend, II wou-would li-lilie
1t.
'Oh, don't talk that way John"
"Why-why, you kno-know II
cannot hel-help it," he Indignantly
replied while his face Redeemed with
shame and anger.
Mary saw that she had made an
awkward mistake. She had intended
so give him u hint that she did not
wish him to propose to her; but with
the suspicious sensitiveness of one who
is conscious that he is afflicted with a
ridiculous imperfectiOn, he thought
that she referred to his habit of STAN
mering. the inability to overcome
winch had embittered his life from
childhood.
You take my meaning not as l in
tended yo@ TO-, said the girl, blushing
deeply - meant that l desired you to
say nothing. more than friend should
say"
"Why-w>y sho-sho-should not a
fra-friend SNy any-anything-thing
that is prop-psop-er? said the lover,
now somewhat modified.
"Oh! don't be - inquisitive"
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS! Why sho-
shou-should I-y not be 50? Yo-
YOU must sus--sus- pect how II feel;
and it is not sur-sLy-prising- |
esho--shou-should wApt to know VIII
whether you re--cip p-cip-clp-ro-
cate the feeling"
do l;lyn ,rp,, f,t,;ta wall Tphn -
said Mary, hesitatingly, "6ut it is best
shat we should be to each other no
more than friends"
"Why?"
Il would rather not give the reason.
l. do not wish to cause you pAin."
But II want to know Sac rea-
reason. Per-per -haps I-I-,-oan O.
overcome it,
Il am sure that you cannot"
DO you refer to my stam-stLm-
Eucr -mer-ing?" asked poor John. 6
feeling of sickening despair taking pas
session of him.
Mary was silent She turned aside
her head.
John groaued.
What q foo-fool II have been,
ne eXclaimed Il ou-ought TO have
J,no-known that no wo-wo-mai
vvo-would mar-mar-ry man will
such a de-de-fect"
do not say that, my dear friend,
said the maiden, deeply regretting tina
she had been forced to inhict crue
wound. Some good girl, | am sure
will appreciate your worth and be glaC
So marry you. But do not be rasl
enough to fall in love with an Episco
paiian. l. unfortunately for you, be
Kong TO the Episcopal church. l coult
never consent to be married by an,
Sgfher than the service of my owl
-,kNrch and you know, John--I an
sorry g. say it, but you compel me t.
ioe franl-you know that you could no
repeat your part of the service withou
making the people laugh and spoilin
the wedding But all girls are no
EDiseopalians, and doubtless there ar
snany who would be contented with
short service, perhaps would even con
sent 10 let justice of the peace PEI
EoT1n the ceremony"
But IL wa-want you or no-nC
BODY" said John. "No-now jus-jus
reell me one thin-thing Wo-wou-
would mar--mar-ry me If IL did nc
.sfain n-stam-mer-mer
Yes, John; for think you hav
msany excellent qualities, and woul
he capable of making your wife yer
hanpy."
--Tha--thank you for you-you
good o--o-pin-pn-ion. You give m
no hope. Epll tell you wh-wh;