The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-05-23
SELECTED STORY.
Quarreled.

school Fred fell in love with her in true
lovers fashion. l never saw any human
being so distracted about another. 1t was
Nettie, Nettic, from morning till night,
and did think woman could be pretty
without blue eyes and golden hair?" My
own were black, and thought myself not
80 very bad looking but l let Fred have
his own way. 1t was not enough for him
to go into raptures himself, but l must
help him along
She was a little beauty; there is no de-
nying the fact And she had the sunniest
face and sweetest temper of any girl ever
knew. She seemed the very picture of CON
stancy and gcntcncss. changed my mind
about that later on, but she was not so
very much to blame, after all, as you will
see when my story is told.
Fred went to see his little sweetheart
about seven times week, on an average,
danced with her at all the parties, hunted
out notices of tcndercst meaning for her,
which Nettic with many smiles and blush
es secreted, after eating the sugar plums
inclosed All parties concerned approved,
and they were regularly engaged" They
were to be married as soon as Fred got
through with his law studiCs-which, by
the bye, he managed to do n short time aft
er by adopting the easy method of aban-
donment.
All went smoothly, deccitfully so, for
awhile. But one evening Fred came home
from Netties with a troubled countenance
and acted just like bear At least, l can
not say that | ever saw a bear out of tenn
per, but what l mean to signify is Fred
was certainly very cross and gloomy. He
threw things about at "A great rate, kicked
the cat savagely and sat down before the
fire with his hat drawn over his eyes and
apparently in the brownest of brown
studies
/ had been waiting up alone for him. 1t
was rather late, and mother and father had
retired, so l made up my mind l would
know what was the matter before l went
to rest
laid my hand ON his shoulder coaxing-
ly. He moved away, with an impatient
gesture. That l expected, and so took no
notice whatever,
"Come, Freddie" said 1, "you might
rs well tell me first as last. You know it
always comes to that in the end"
cts nothing" he said rather gruf1ly,
but 1 saw he was glad l had spoken, and
persisted.
'Well, Fan" he said at last, II sup
pose-I know it must be some mistake.
don't know what to make of it, but l
found a note in Nettio's workbaskct, and
If 1 did not know Ncttie l should think -
ooh, Fred, you didn't read it! Let me
see it," said |, all in breath. 1t quite
shocked me to think of Fred reading some
thing not intended for his eyes, and yet l
did want peep.
81 did not intend to- " stammered Fred.
"I'm sure did not. Nettie saw me play
ing with it. l only kept it by accident 1
read it before l knew what was doing,
but it would not be honorable to show it
to any one else"
Eyes, yes Fred" l coaxed. LET me
see it. 1t can't do any harm now, and
maybe it is nothing dreadful after all. O."
So he placed in my hand, with sigh of
relief a little slip of paper, upon which
was written in large, nourishing hand;
When shall l see my darling Nettie again?
i have heard about f. W., and | am getting
Jealous. | begin to fear you have forgotten
your ever constant FRANK.
l stared. Was it a sham? We had left
off writing sham billets dOuX before Net
tie went to boarding school.
"What do you make of it," said Fred
impatiently. 1T is II mans writing, is it
mott"
"No," said decidedly. tits UNIFORM
ed and ignorant"
had just accomplished fine imitation
of coppcrplate inscription reading, "a
specimen of my improved penmanship"
and considered myself a good critic and
judge of manuscript in those days "It is
some schoolboy's, Fred"
My brothers countenance fell. 1t had
frightened considerably when began.
what business has some schoolboy to
call her his darling Nettie them" he ask
ed angrily.
We talked it over and puzzled over it a
long time, and at last persuaded Fred to
go straight to Nettie with the enigma, and
SO he did the very next morning and re-
turned radiant
''It's all right, Fan. Frank is a girlp'
shouted he.
Mother looked a little curious, for she
was present at the time, but we did not
explain, and SO the matter dropped for
awhile.
Soon followed more mystifloatiols. Fred
found that his morning calls were not al
ways acceptable that his invitations We're
sometimes declined; that this mysterious
Frank, this former schoolmate of Nettie's
who was never visible was still always in
his way. He chafed over it perceptibly.
But after all, said he, cone can't be
Jealous of girl, and Nettie will get over
this infatuation in time"
Yet he was jealous-that l saw-and
very uncomfortable and finally his feel
ings eliminated into wrath
knew something worse than usual had
happened when l missed Fred's mellow
whistle as he ncared the house. l was sure
Vt it when | saw his face. 1t was only with
the greatest difficulty l discovered the
facts Of the case This was the summary:
Fred had invited Nettie to a matinee
Nettie had declined, with thanks and apol-
ogies, but declined positively. Reason-a
previous engagement with Frank. Fred
had suggested transfer of the apologies.
Nettie had declared such transfer impos-
sible. Sequel-rage on Frcd's part and
tears on Nettie's
II am sorry for it now" said Fred,
but this must end. l can't submit to be
the victim of some silly schoolgirls ca
prices. If Nettie loves me at all, she must
give up this Frank for me. If not, as well
know it first as last. f."
ut is not SO bad as that, Fred" said /.
"We will go round there together in the
morning. can invent good excuse for
calling on Nettie, and you will have a
chance to make up your quarrel and see
this formidable Frank as well.
So we made morning call We were