Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-01-29
UNCLE RUBEN'S LOST LOVE

love with Priscilla Jan the very first
time, and as he was not the kind OF a
man to waste much time IN counting, he
chose this way of proposing.
Priscilla wore gown OF muslin, and
at the belt hung two scarlet pockets, as
was the custom in those days.
Ruben having penned declaration
one afternoon, took the opportunity (fol
lie was timid man) Of slipping the
note into one of these trim little pockets
when she was not looking.
Then he took his leave, and waited
anxiously but very patiently for an
answer. But none ever came.
Poor Ruben was not one to risk his
fate second time, and he ceased his
visits to the home of the JAMS. After
while he went away to England and
Newport knew him no more. lie be.
came rather celebrated as a scientific
man. The bashfuIncss Of youth gone
by, he became a brave, gallant gentle
man of the old school, and he had his
admirers even among our sex, but be
never fell in love, and he never mar.
ried.
At G5 years Of age he took 1t into his
head to see Newport before he died. In
those Years 1t had become fashionable
watering place. There were one or two
great hotels and plenty of cottages The
sea view was as fine, The sea air us brac.
lng, the glrIs as pretty as Of yore, but
they did not wear painted muslns with
peoples On them, nor outside pockets OF
handsomely embroidered silk.
Ruben Van Note strolled along the
beach aud looked at the old tower and
sighed over the past little. Then he
>trollcd up the street to the house of the
Jan family. 1t looked very much as
formerly, on y the trees were larger and
the ivy vine quite covered the bSlck
stable with the pigeon houses on the
roof. All its windows were open and q
woman WAS busting the shutters. Wher
she came out upon the porch to shake 8
cloth he spoke to her
Does the Jan family live here yet !?
he asked.
The woman gave Il long shake Of the
| head and said
The last Of The Jan family died three
DAYS ago-Miss Priscilla Jan. Twas bel
maid. She was getting on in hfe-6(
years old-and a delicate body a ways
but I think she would have lived a long
while yet if she hadE t had an acclden'
Her carnage was upset by a tipsy coach
man and she was hurt and shaken. The
shock to her nerves killed her, the doc
tor said. That her miniature when sht
was girl. over the mantel, if you {
step in and look.
Ruben stepped in and saw Priscilla, IL
white and red. smiling at him from the
chimney piece. 1t was good Likeness
| Could she really be dead ? He STAGGERED
back and seated himself on the sofa.
And she never married . he sale
speaking aloud unconSciously.
No, sir said the maid, believing
herself addressed She never married
Such a pretty girl, you I'd not believe it
Once she told me, sitting just there, sir
where yon sit, the Christmas after bel
parents died, why she did not. Sh,
was fond Of a young gentleman once
but he came and went'a and never SAID {
word, and, as she believed, never caret
for her. She cried and cried of night
but told 10 one, and she lived singh,
until she was 40. Then one day, wheI
she was up in the garnet, she found ;
pair Of red silk pockets in an old box
She had missed the pockets. They useC
to wear EN- outside, sir, which Seems
funny now. She had missed them, anc
never guessed where they had gone, bu
somehow they'd been dropped into the
box that was carried up garnet that yer,
night. She'd not seen them for 90 year,
and she took them out and turned then
over, and a letter fell into her lap.
1t was sealed, and it had her name
on it, aud when she read it she found !
was an offer from this young gentleman
! An offer sir, that she would have sale
j Yes, TO-, and thankful.