Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-12-16
Johns Disappointment.


bright and sparkling lying among the
pebbles upon the left-hand side of the
way. l pointed it out to Psalter,
who pronounced it "a broken bit Of
glass;" and to John, who insisted that
it was piece of tin.
Daring the laugh which l had not
the slightest doubt awaited me, /
stopped, and in moment more held
in my hand little pin of delicate
and elaborate workmanship. On
nearer inspection, it proved to be a
couple of hearts-one pearl, the other
ruby-connected by a tiny gold
chain-quite valuable little thing,
so Psalter said. Consequently we
inserted an advertisement, and over
looked the paper daily for some time.
AS we received no reply, of course the
matter was soon forgotten: and, as
John had taken great fancy to the
pin, gave it to him, and from that
time forth he wore it very conspicu.
ously in his cravat.
Some six weeks afterwards l began
to observe that John had grown very
particular in regard to his dress; that
his hair was always arranged to a
nicely, and that his boots were tighter
than ever. From these signs and
propensity to gaze moonward and
read Byron, began to conjecture
that John was once more in love.
"Who can it be this time, my dear !"
| said to Psalter, quit suddenly, one
evening when we were alone together.
"Who can what be, Emma ?" repli-
ed my husband.
81 mean, who do you suppose John
is in love with now?" | answered.
"How do you know that he is in
love, my dear?" inquired Psalter.
"Only look at his boots-there is
proof positive" replied. 81 do hope
it is not our girl"
perhaps it is the washerwoman,"
said Psalter.
"Mercy! don't think of such a
thing!" exclaimed, quite alarmed.
"She is widow, and has nine chill
dren besides, she is not at all hand
some, and John never fell in love with
any one yet who was not beauty"
81 have heard him say he consid-
cred her good looking" remarked
Psalter, with a roguish twinkle in his
eye.
knew he was trying to brighten
me yet l really could not help watch
ing John next wash day. and / felt
very much relieved when discovered
my suspicious were unfounded.
One Sunday, John had returned
from church and looked exceedingly
sentimental, sat down beside me on
the sofa in the back parlor. There
was no one else In the room, and be-
fore long John spoke.
Emma" he said, 81 hope you
won't think I'm silly if l tell you I've
made a conquest, for l have made
one"
Indeed !" | said.
Eyes" replied John ut is actually
true. I wouldn't mention it to any
one but you, Emma for she evident
ly has DO idea that have penetrated
her feelings, and she is glorious
creature"
"And who is she?" / inquired.
II do not know her name," replied
John; "but I'll tell you how I met
her. You remember the day we had
that tremendous rain storm? On
that afternoon, as was crossing the
street just above here, ! noticed a
beautiful young lady before me who
had no umbrella. AS l had one, and
it was raining violently, of course l
felt myself in duty bound to offer her
the protection of mine. She stopped
in that cottage house in = Street, and
as she turned toward me to thank me,
she grew first white and then red,
and gave such start. l thought at
the moment how matters stood
couldn't help it you know"
"Of course you could not" ! repli-
ed "you men are all alike"
"Now, Emma" pleaded John,
"don't begin at me so soon if you
please; for have not told you half
yet. The next day happened to
pass the house, on my return nome,
when there at the window sat the
same young lady and this time she
looked at me in the very same earnest.
particular manner. I'm sure any one
must have remarked it. Several
times since then ] have met her or
seen her at the window, and she always
regards me with the same attention,
although when ] once ventured to
bow she didn't appear TO notice it,
"Indeedl' / calculated.
To-day" said John, 81 absolutely
sat in the next pew to her in church,