Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-11-02
A MEAN TRICK.

He had often tried to propose to her,
but she was such very fiippant 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 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 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 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 nightT
"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 Twas going t.
marry you"
"And what did you tell him?"
"Told him didn't know"
"That wasright, said Minna, swirling
the dishcloth around
''And he--he said was burned fool
if didn't"
Minna went off into peals of laughter.
Then she sobered up.
"Didn't whatT
"Didn't marry You"
so you would be-if you got the
chancel' was the prompt reply.
"That's what told him-if / got the
chance, but ! can't get the chance" de
iectedly.
"What right had you to tell him you
couldn't get the chance?"
oCause you amt ever give to me-"
"No, an Inever will, returned Minna
with emphasis.
'.Jes' what 1 thought" said Bob dis
malIy. Guess I'd better CO."
sGuess ye had" remarked his hostes;
Hospitality. AS she spoke she wiped out
the dishpan and hung it up on nail be
hind. "If l was you, I'd learn a few
| things before came courtin."
"But you're a big sight clever'n me,
answered Bob meekly.
"That's so," said Minna laconicallJ
as Bob passed detected out of the kitche1
door.
On thinking over the interview on tn,
way home, Bob thought that on til,
whole he had not made much progress.
A few days later hope returned, brigh
eyed and smiling, and Bob determined
to make another attempt to secure tn
| elusive Minna. In the soft dusk of th
| early summer evening he went thought
fully across the field toward her father
cottage, now softened of It's daytime an
gularities and, to Bob's imagination
nesting confdingly in the trees.
''House amt much like Minna, he re
flected sadly. '.Wisht / could think o.
some way to cotch her"
| Ashe walked, crushing down the mois
| grass, he revolved dozen schemes in hi
mind, all of which had sooner or late
/ to be dismissed as impracticable in viev
of the uncertain nature of the damseI il
question. If he could only be sure o
how Minna would take anything. Blu
he never could be. She was as waywar,
| as the summer breeze.
| Suddenly, in the midst Of his ponder
ing, an idea came to him heaven sen
| inspiration, SO beautiful, SO clever, tina
the cunning little god himself must hav
been hiding in bluebell along his path
Bob gave an emphatic clap to his leg
and the listening Cupid might have hear
short chuckle, followed by delighte'
exclamation.
| "Goshl But that'll doiti' as the wooe
sped along his path. Minna herself me
1 Bob at the door and gave him q chai
outside beneath fragrant honeysuckle
She sat down near him on the doorste
and leaned her head against the case