The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-05
DID NOT ELOPE.

NOT &QLllb Oh Il SAdQOW OF QOuDb KY AOAG
was returned, the strong yearnings OF my
19-year-old heart went out in the direction
of the most beautiful maiden in all -
shire. The most beautiful maiden in all
shire in return sent out the yearnings
of her heart to meet mine.
Twice a week went to the old brown
home of DIR. Stoddard to tell his daughter
my love, and as regularly listened to re-
cital of its return from the pretty, red lips
of my charming Janet.
We were determined to be married. We
would fly to the nearest city when the
household was in the hands of Morpheus.
Janet would become in moments time
Mrs. Jason Brown and I Mrs. Jason
Browns husband.
At IL O'Clock I was to leave my home
stealthily, get my fathers gray nagshar-
ness her and proceed to Janet, who was to
be waiting for me at her chamber win
dow, where was to place ladder, which
she was to descend. We would then fly
down the lane to where the horse was tied,
and then the wind should not outrun US.
There was but one difficulty in the way.
Janet's room was shared by her sister
Fanny, a little mischievous creature of IL,
who, to use Janet's words, was awake all
hours of the night.
There was but one way-if Fanny was
aroused, she must be bribed into silence.
For that purpose placed in Janet's hand
a round, shining silver dollar.
But Janet needed assistance. So she
concluded to let Fanny into her confidence
the same afternoon we started and SO pre-
vent any chance of her raising the house
by a sudden cutlery.
The long looked for and yet dreaded
night came at last, the old kitchen. clock
warned me the appointed time had arriv-
ed, and with slow, sad and yet nOiseless
step left the house and in a few minutes
was jogging along toward the home of
Janet. What possessed me cannot tell,
but had taken from an old chest a blue
swallow tail coat that had belonged to my
grandfather in the time of the wars and
in the pride of my youth had got into it.
The tails came nearly to my heels, while
the waist was nearly to my armpits, the
sleeves hiding the luxuriant pair of silk
gloves had INDUCED in for the occasion,
and above this uncouth pile of blue cloth
was perched hat of very ancient appear
anoe.
Fanny had evidently been bribed into
silence. AS I stood there I could see her
light, blithe little figure fit to and fro by
the window, and how 1 blessed her from
the bottom of my heart for her kindness.
At last Janet commenced descending
the ladder, and in a very short time was
at my side, when we both upheld our
hands for a bundle of clothing Fanny was
to throw down to us.
''Be quiet, Fan, F" whispered Janet, as
her sister appeared at the window and
poised the bundle above our heads. = Be
quiet, Fan, for heavens sake, and drop it
quickly"
But Fannie still stood there swinging
backward and forward the huge bundle,
without needing Janet's earnest entreaty.
''Do, do throw it, Fanny dearl Do have
some mercy on me. What Il father should
know of thisl What if he should be awak-
ened''-
GtTo rri,o - 70 10. TTor no,,s+ v,lo.r,,,e
your sister; she's in. hurryi' called a
voice from the closed blinds of the parlor
windows, which belonged to no other
than DR.. Stoddard- s.Give her the things.
Only be still about it, Fan
For moment we were petrified. What
should we do? While we stood undecided
two huge mattresses fell at our feet, fol-
lowed Immediately by sheets, quilts, table,
cloths and other articles of all kinds and
descriptions.
"Mother, mother, don t one of these new
feather beds belong to Janet?' called
Charley Stoddard from one part of the
house.
Eyes, yes, and bolster and pair of
nice pillows, too. Garry 'em out of tho
front door,, was the answer.
Whose horse have you, Jason?" asked
the doctor pushing up the blind. 'tYour
fathers? Humph, that old gray isn't
worth a button to go. Sam, hurry away
time they were Off
''Look, father and mother, and see ia
sons new coat ana hat, - cried Fan. "Isn't
that coat beauty, father? just look at
the length of it's tailsv'
"Well," drawled the doctor, "that coat
is handsome.
"And his hat, father?'' called the wicked
little Fan.
81 declare exclaimed the doctor.
ssWife, wife, look here and see Jason's
coat and hat"
''Don't they look nice, motber?'' asked
the doctor, putting one broad hand over
his mouth and doubling his head nearly
to his knees.
couldn't stand it any longer. I turned
around and leaped across the garden Ev-
cry Stoddard called after me-
It was all plain Fan had betrayed us.
vowed vengeance upon her until broad
daylight, and then hid in the haystack,
and staid there until Charley Stoddard
brought home my fathers horse.
The old gentleman was frightened and
wanted to know how he came by the
horse. He was told to ask me. He did
ask me, and I made clean breast of it,
and sure of uhis-I never looked at a
girl for seven years
When the eighth came round, remem-
bered my old VOW against Fanny Stod-
dard. Well, to make q long story short,
I married Fanny. Janet became a par
sons wife.
And here let me take you into my con-
fdence. I really think that Fanny had
deep motive in her heart when she be-
trayed Janet and me. Anyhow she al
ways declares that have had my revenge
upon her. Bless her faithful heart, it has
indeed been a sweet ole.-LOndon News.
A Long Island Peculiarly.
A correspondent of the Springfield Re
publican, who has been doing Long Is