Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-10-17
A MEAN TRICK.

He had often tried to propose to her,
but she was such very fippant young
person that he found it herculean to re-
duce her to a sufficiently serious frame
of mind. Then, too, he was by no means
certain as to her feelings toward himself.
Some definite assurance either way
would, he felt, have been grateful, al
though it is safe to affirm that had such
assurance been unfavorable to his hopes
he would none the less have been anxious
for further information.
However, he was denied the satisfac-
ton of even well grounded suspicion.
She had such n battling sort of manner.
Never had he been able to surprise her
into an admission of anything, however
trifing, which might be taken as an in
dication that he aroused within her emo
tions of any kind whatever. 1t was GER
tainly very difficult to know what to do,
Many times had he almost taken ad-
vantage of a momentary silence on her
part. Times without number had he
nearly clasped her in his arms as she
ptrouetted past him, but she was too
quick for him. The boldest effort on
his part had been made one evening aft
er he had brought friend to call upon
her. Minna, Bob and the friend had all
sat in the kitchen and pulled taffy.
Next evening Bob said sheepishly:
do you know, Minna, what key was
tellin me last nightf''
''How could know without you told
mef' returned Minna, with spirit. She
was washing dishes. and she clattered
them in the pan.
"He was asking mo if was going to
marry you"
"And what did you tell himY'
"Told him didn't know"
"That wasright, said Minna, swirling
the dishcloth around.
tAnd he-he said was n burned fool
if didn't"
Minna went off into peals of laughter.
Then she sobered up.
Didn't whatT''
Didn't marry you"
$50 you would be-if you got the
chanceF' was the prompt reply.
''That's what told him-if I got the
chance. but can't get the chance" de-
jectedly.
"what right had you to tell him you
couldn't get the chance:'
"'Cause you amt ever give it to me-"
''No, an Ineyer will returned Minna,
with emphasis.
''Jes' what thought" said Bob dis
maIly. Guess I'd better CO."
"Guess ye had" remarked his hostess
Hospitality. AS she spoke she wiped out
the dishpan and hung it up on nail be-
hind. "H was you, I'd learn a few
things before came courtin."
"But you're big sight clever,n me-"
answered Bob meekly.
That's So" said AIinna laconically
as Bob passed detected out of the kitchen
door.
On thinking over the interview ON the
way home, Bob thought that on the
whole he had not made much progress.
A few days later hope returned, bright
eyed and smiling, and Bob determined
to make another attempt to secure the
elusive Minna. In the soft dusk of the
early summer evening he went thought
fully across the field toward her fathers
cottage, now softened of its daytime an
gularities and, to Bob's imagination,
nesting con6dingly in the trees.
''House amt much like Minna, - he re-
fected sadly. "Wisht could think on
some way to cotch her"
Ashe walked, crushing down the moist
AS ICNO1NGh
mind, all of which had sooner or later
to be dismissed as impracticabIe in view
of the uncertain nature of the damsel In
question. If he could only be sure Of
how Einna would take anything. But
he never could be. She was as wayward
as the summer breeze.
Suddenly, in the midst of his ponder
ing, an idea came to him-a heaven sent
inspiration, so beautiful, so clever, that
the cunning little god himself must have
been hiding in bluebell along his path.
Bob gave an emphatic clap to his leg,
and the listening Cupid might have heard
q short chuckle, followed by a delighted
exclamation.
''GoshI But that'n do itr' as the wooer
sped along his path. Minna herself met
Bob at the door and gave him chair
outside beneath fragrant honeysuckle.
She sat down near him on the doorstep
and leaned her head against the case
ment,. She looked very pretty, her black