The Colfax chronicle., 1891-11-07
A STAMMERING LOVER.
How He Overcame the Defect
and Won 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 a little
courting 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
10, but he discussed with great appar-
ent interest the sermon to which they
had just listened. and said that it was a
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
tiers that more nearly concerned his
heart and to manifest symptoms of
tenderness.
Emboadened by the maiden's favor
able demeanor, John at last said:
"Na-now, Ma-Mary, If you cou-
eould re-regard me as more than
fra-friend, III wou-would li-like
it."
''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 |
to give him q hint that she did not |
wish him to propose to her; but with
the suspicious sensitiveness of one who
IL conscious that he is afflicted with n
ridiculous imperfection. he thought
that she referred to his habit of stam-
mering. the inability to overcome
which had embittered his life from
childhood
s'You take my meaning not as in.
sended you TO-" said the girl. blushing
deeply. II meant that desired you to
say nothing more than friend should
;ay."
"Why-why ysho-sho-should not n ,
'ra- friend say any-anything-thinr
nat is prop-prop-er?" said the lover. !
Tow somewhat mollified. IA
"Ohl don't be so inquisitiver
"lnqui-qui-quise-tive! Why shot,
hou-should IL not be so? 70 j
'ou must sus--sus-pect how IL feel; \
ma IL Is not sur-sur -prising-that v
ho-shou-should want to know wb-lt
whether you re-cip-cip-cip-ro-t B
ate the feeling =
"
II do like You quite well. John
aid Mary, hesitatingly, 'sbut it is best Il
hat we should be to each other no h
,ore than friends" :,
"Why?" =.
Il would rather not give the reason II
do not wish to cause you pain.n 4,
But II want to know the 20. !.
'a-son- Per-per -haps I--I-can o.
ver-come il.
Il am sure that you cannot, =,
do you refer to my stam-stams :. :.
Ter -mer-ing?" asked poor John. a :,
'eling OF sickening despair taking pos s
'ssion of him. at
Mary was silent She turned aside p
Or head %
John groaned. -
= 49, 09an- -
} exclaimed; Il ou-ouqht TO have ol
that no wo-wo-man - -
o. would mar-mar--ry q man with ~
ch ade-de-fect -
do not say that, my dear friend y 70 =.
ID the maiden. deeply regretting that 70 70
Q had been forced to infiict a cruel 80 ~
ound Some good girl, am sure - -
u appreciate your worth and be Glad - =.
marry you But do. not be rash - -
ough to fall in love with an Episco- ~. ~
liam. !, unfortunately for you, be- IT, '
,g to the Episcopal church. I could ~ ~
yer consent to be married by anv wo
ler than the service Of my own sts us
nrcn; and you know, John-I am lin
~ TO say it but you compel me to wr
frank-you know that you could not oft ~
,ess your part OF the service without pro
A'ns me people laugh and spelling fail
wsadine' But ~ girls are not sui