Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1895-07-02

was not "bad-loOking man. AL
least he told himself so as he carefully
brushed his well-kept hair back from
his forehead and gazed at his reflection
in the mirror. This is what he saw:
a short, fat little man, with his hair
carefully parted in the back and
conbed forward over his ears and
truth must be told if he was a barber)
bald spot on the top of his head.
This bald spot had steadily increased
in size in spite of all the "vigors" and
''clixirs" that he had regularly applied
TO it. To-day, as he looked at it, it
seemed to be larger than ever, and he
suid to himself, as he applied the wash:
"It's no use, Gideon. You are get
ting old, and you might just as well
own it first as last. If you had any
spunk at all you'd have been married
long ago"
Just then Deacon Hemper came In
to have his beard trimmed. and Gideon
smilingly advanced to tcrve his old
customer.
Gideon was very bashful, and always
got fidgety and red in the face when
ever woman spoke to him, and al
ways said no when he meant to say
"yes," and if he did venture to be
agreea BILE to lady he always made a
dismal failure of it; and SO he kept get
ting worse, and, although he was very
fond of their Sc ciety, finally avoided
them as much as possible.
Years ago there had been a vague
rumor afioat that Gideon was goin' to
marry Philena Pray Gideon heard
that rumor and heartily wished that it
was the truth, but he knew that, much
as he wished it to be 50, he had not the
courage to find out what she thought
about it.
Philena Pray was the daughter of
the villag, clergyman, and had been a
handsome girl, rather above the medi-
um height, with flashing black eyes
and rosy cheeks. She was not lacking
in spirit. and one day, after Gideon had
kept her company for six years and
they were no nearer an understanding
than they were at first, she made up
her mind to bring matters to a crisis;
and so, when Gideon stepped up to see
her home from meeting, she Tilted him
before them all, and went home with
her father.
Gideon went home in no pleasant
mood. AS he sat before his fire he ran
his fingers through his hair until it
| stood on end, and then he would rise
| and rsce the floor and talk to himself.
This was a habit he had when ex-
cited.
Il declare! It's too badl / don't
know as / blame her, either Here
I've been going with her for sir gears,
and I've never had the courage to tell
her how we'll love her / believe she
knows that want her, and she thinks
it's time ! told her so, an SO it is. l
won't let another day pass over my
head without KNOWN just what she
thinks"
Well for Gideon If he had kept his
resolution, but when morning came he
felt more timid and bashful than ever.
He said to himself: ITS now or
never" He walked briskly along, and
soon arrived at Parson Pray's gate.
Philena was working among the
flowers that grew near the gate. She
was expecting him and her heart beat
little faster, and her cheek took on a
roster hue, as she said:
Good morning, Gideon"
"Gcod morning. Philena-"
wont you come imp
She smiled as she spoke, and Gideon
Thought there never was fairer woman
In the world. She took a step toward
the gate as II to open it. Gideon got
very red and stammered;
EMO, thank yon.r He realized