The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-09-07
a MEAN TRICK.

He had often tried to propose to her,
but she was such Il very fippant young
person that he found it herculean to
reduce her to a sufficiently serious
frame of mind. Then, too, he was by
no means certain as to her feelings
toward himself. Some definite sssur-
ance either way would, he felt, have
been grateful, although 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 salts
faction of even wen-grOunded sus-
picion. She had such a battling sort of
manner. Never had he been able to
surprise her into an admission of any
thing, however trihing, which might
be taken as an Indication that he
aroused within her emotions of any
kind whatever. 1t was certainly very
? difficult to know what to do.
Many times had he almost taken adj
vantage of a momentary silence on her
part. Times without number had he
nearly claSped her in his arms as she
pirouetted past him, but she was too
quick for him. The boldest effort on
his part had been made one evening
after he had brought 4 friend to call
upon her. Minna, Bob and the friend
had all sat in the kitchen and pulled
taffy. Next evening Bob said sheep
ishly:
DO you know, Minna, what Ikey
was tellin me last night?'
How could know without you told
me| returned Minna, with spirit She
was washing dishes and she clattered
them in the pan.
He was asking me if were going
to marry you?"
And what did you tell him?'
Told him didn't know"
THAT was right" said Minna, swirl
Ing the dishcloth around.
And he-he said 1 was a burned
fool if didn't
Then she sobered up
Didn't what?'
Didn't marry your
80 you would be-if you got the
chance" was the prompt reply
That's what I told him-if I got
the chance" dejectedly.
What right had you to tell him you
couldn't get the chance?"
cause you amt ever give it to
me-"
mo, an I never will!' returned
Minna, with emphasis.
"Jes' what thought" said Bob, dis
mally. Guess I'd better CO."
Guess We had remarked his hostess,
Hospitality. AS she spoke she wiped
out the dish pan and hung it up on the
nail behind. IF I was you Id learn
il few things before 1 came courtin'''
But you're big sight clevern me-"
answered Bob meekly.
That's So" said NIinna, laconically,
as Bob passed dcjectedly out of the
kitchen door.
On thinking over the interview on
the way home Bob thought that OIL
the whole he had not made much prog
ress. ,'' ,
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 thoughtfully across the field
toward her fathers cottage, now soft
ened of it's daytime irregularities, and,
to Bob's imagination, nesting con-
fdingly in the trees.
House amt much like Minna," he
reflected sadly. wish 1 could think
on some way to cOtch her."
1,@
moist grass, he resolved dozen
schemes in his mind, all of which had
sooner or later to be dismissed as i'm
nature Of the damsel in question. If
he could only be sure of how Minna
would take anything. But he never
could be. She was as hayward 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 bluebel along
his path. Bob gave an emphatic clap
to his leg and the listening Cupid might
have heard a short chuckle followed
by delighted exclamation.
Gosh! But that'n do it!'' as the
wooer sped along his path. Minna her.
self met Bob at the door and gave
him chair outside, beneath a fragrant
honeysuckle. She sat down near him
on the doorstep and leaned her head
against the easement. She looked very
pretty, her black eyes darkening the
lids and her face pale in the dusky
twilight; her hair, curling in moist little
ends around her small face. Bot
looked at her and his heart failed him
But he remembered a certain Thomas
Anderson, whom report said had loi
tered beneath the honeysuckle for the
last few nights, and brought back his
oozing courage. ...-. .... -
'"They wuz talking about you las
night, down at the pump" he remarked
with assumed cheerfulness.
''Tall1in' about me?" said Minna, an
glily. "How dared they?'
''Oh, I.ord!' gasped Bob to himself
IF she gets mad before I begin"
"They wuz sayin'-sayin'-'
''Well:' sharply, what wuz they say
;n'?" ~. 49,. sa.ss -so -