The Press., 1894-04-05
THE ELOPEMENT.

K Eliza Jane Jinks was romantic. She papers, and knew just what was the prop er thing to do in emergencies. anal she was always on the lookout for the hand some young millionaire who was to come own in spite of the violent opposition of her stern and hard hearted father. Her father hadn't manifested any particular sternness, nor had he indicated any special objection to her finding d suitable mate if she could. He was, like Mare Antony, "a plain, blunt man, who spoke straight on,' and didn't take any stock in Eliza Jane's blamed nonsense,'' as he termed her vagaries.
 Her handsome and dashing young mill lionaire had not put in an appearance, and there had been no fire, or boat upset, nor any other appropriate occasion for a rescue in approved style; therefore, Eliza Jane, having waited long in vain, had given encouragement to Jim Scott, clerk in the village store, who was assiduous in his attentions, but she clung to her TO- mantle ideas. She would meet him at various places away from home, but, on the plea that her father was terribly op- posed to his attentions, she never allowed him to come to the house, or even ente:' the grounds, and dismissed him at the gate.
 Jim, innocent soul, took her word for it, and trembled at sight of the old man. He often wished himself millionaire, like Meredith Montepiete, the hero of the last story they had read in the Weekly Visitor, for then he would have his bride in spite of all opposition, and carry her off to his palatial home to reside in lux ury.
 Eliza Jane and Jim consulted over the matter frequently, but could not see their way clear to matrimony, until one day Jim announced that his salary had been increased from $l2 to $15 d. week. This caused a throb of exultntion in Eliza Jane's heart, and she at once arranged for an elopement.
 Of course, it had to be done in proper style, and on the evening set for the event Eliza Jane went early to her room, and after her parents had gone to bed went out and chained up the dog. She then retired to her chamber and placed a lamp in the window as a signal to Jim. That individual, being in the road not far away watching, at once, according to previous arrangement, took ladder that stood by the barn, carried it to the house, put it up to the window mounted and tapped on the pane. Eliza Jane immediately re- sponded, and with whispered caution put two then consulted in regard to the trunk and had decided that Jim would have to go up and bring it down, when a noise was heard inside the house, the door opened and Farmer Jinks appeared with the trunk on his shoulder. He set ii down on the walk and said:
 'I was afeered that spindle shanks couldn't get it down, so just brought il down for ye," and then he went in and closed the door.
 This was decidedly contrary to. pro. gram, but Eliza wouldn't let little thing like that spoil her elopement, so Jim took the trunk and they went to his buggy, got in and drove off to find Gretna Green which they did after riding five miles. Oi | course old man Jinks did not pursue, but they had all the opportunity during that ride of pretending that he did, and then they rode home again to Jim's lodgings. As is evident, old man Jinks took the affair quite complaeently, and it was not long before the couple were living with the old folks as though no elopement had occurred. Farmer Jinks in explanation said:
 "'Lopements is good things; they save weddin' expenses but he never told how he had learned of the proposed escapade, nor who, if any one of Eliza Jape's numer. ous confidants, had given the affair away.