Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1894-03-22

nau r1ghr TO complain. She was still
attending school. though past 21 years
of age, and as fate would have it was
boarding in the same house as the pro-
fessor. 1t was observed by the landlady
and her daughter that after Lillian 8 ad-
vent Mr.. Monson was changed from his
own self He paid more attention to his
toilet than before, brushing his fringe
of hair with unusual care and having
his beard trimmed oftener than had
been his wont. At the table he had al
ternate fits of abstraction and loquacity.
He fingered there as long as Lillian re-
manned and would, after supper, fol-
low her to the sitting room, where he
would talk to her by the hour about
some Greek poet or some natural phe-
nomenon. And when he showed her his
various bugs. insects and reptiles, max
|. ing running commentary on their Pc
culiarities, the landlady formed the
very natural conclusion that the profess
OF was badly stuck" "
The girl was splendid listener and
fattered Mr.. Monson's vanity by her
attention rather than by words of praise.
In about three months the professor
had wound himself in net as complete
ly as the silkworm in its cocoon. AS
he grew more persistent in his atten-
tions the girl became more coquettish.
She would be very kind one day and
distant aud hard to please the next, thus
tormenting the very life out of him.
At last, unable to bear the strain, he
determined to risk all by test question.
A favorable opportunity presented itself
one night when everybody had retired
and the twain were alone in the parlor
What took place there had better be
told in the words of the young lady,
who related the affair afterward to the
landlady's daughter, not knowing that
was listening and taking it all in.
We'll, she said, Ito begin from the
beginning, your mother left the parlor
as the clock struck 9, taking care to
close the door after her. This embold-
ened him to draw his chair closer to
mine. Do you think one can be happier
when married than single?' he asked. I
replied that l didn't know, not having
had the experience Of married woman.
Well, don't you think SO or be-
Heve so?'
"'Why, that depends on circum-
stances, Mr.. Monson, answered.
knew what was coming all the time,
but didn't want to show it.
But if there is love in the mar
riage, don't you think that there will
be happiness?'
At this point he seized my hand and
squeezed it until it fairly turned blue
and said excitedly:
"'Then marry me, Miss Lillian. No
man can love woman more than l love
you. Say but yes, and my very life is
at your disposal to do as you please with
it. Your happiness will benny first con-
sideration. Here, on my knees, l ask
you to grant my suit.
Il turned my face around to look at
him, and, oh! what do you think? You
can never guess. laugh every time
think of it. One of those nasty cater
pillars had crept out of his pocket DUR
ing the excitement and was making its
way over his shoulder toward his collar.
! nearly died with laughter at the COM
ical situation. Upon this he got very
mad and excited beyond control, but he
remained o1fAhis knees the while. Said
he:
You are laughing at very serious
matter. You trifie with me. Is this the
way to treat the proffered love of an
honest man!'
81 am sorry, Mr.. Monson. l was
not laughing at you, but at something
else.
Il had barely finished saying that
when that worm stood on the poor
mans collar, and bracing its hind feet
on it made grab for his hair with its
front feet. The nasty thing was SO COM
ical in all its movements that | laughed
right out, making no attempt to con-
troll my merriment. He arose from his
knees. His face was scarlet with rage.
But as he turned the doorknob COM
manded my risibilities enough to say
TO him:
Mr.. Monson, am very, very sorry
for what has happened. l respect and
esteem you as friend, but can never
be your wife. But if you don't want
another girl to laugh at you the next
time you go accounting you leave worms
and bugs behind.
by this time the caterpillar had
reached his bald spot and from that ele-
waited perch was looking on the scene
with placid enjoyment. He caught my
eyes as they were bent toward the in
truder, and just then, his excitement
having subsided little and no doubt
feeling the nasty thing on top of his
head, he caught it in his hand, crush
ing the poor worm at the same time.
He then made dart for the stairs, 60
ing over three steps at time. That is
all there was to this little romance of
mine"
The next week the professor resigned
his position in the school and left the
town forever.-Yan Phon Lee in st.
Louis Republic.