Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-10-08
"THE CATCH OF THE
SEASON." An np,oa.
OF Vacation Time.
BY FREDERICK sEEeiER.
nI1ANpsoME girl that,,. said Jaek


one summer day, a number OF years
ago.
"Handsome? Why, Jack, she's 30, or
80, if she's a day." said his cousin, Belle
Grey.
"Does it follow" drawled Jack,
shat because womNn's 80 she cannot
be attractive? According o your esti-
mate must be an antediluyian, for |
was 10 a month ago"
20. but you know man of 40 is
young-just in his prime-while
woman of 80 is--wef, passe, to say the
least-an old maid, in fact"
"My dear, there is nothing of the
forlorn old maid about that girl. She
is dfgnified, distingue, refined in bear
ing, and yet looks pleasant and APP
proachable."
There is where you are mistaken"
said Belle, with a pout, for she was
Setting her cap" for Jack, as the girls
said "She is not entertaining at all.
You Just ask the boys, Ben and Arthur.
They'll tell you just how interesting
she can be. Why, she's such bore that
all the boys avoid her-never ask her
to dance, in fact. You will see al the
next hop how much attention she gets.
She'll be the wall flower of the occa-
sion, and sit primly by the side of her
very prim aunt all the evening. What
is funniest of ALL" added Belle, with
merry laugh, sis that she must get per-
mission to dance-a girl of 30l o, it's
too funny!"
Miss Van Tassel had meanwhile en-
tered the hotel. Belle walked off with
a friend and Jack remained in his seat
quietly smoking
"Bore of a place." he thought.
"Strange, too, l feel ii so tiresoms.
Ten years ago 1 found life here toler-
able enough. l don't know whether
the fault is mine or in the girls, but
l do know that if don't get rid of this
ennui I'll be off in jiffy. Think I'll
cultivate the new arrival, and if she
fails to amuse, take myself to pas
lures new. She may be uninteresting
as Cousin Belle says, but l doubt it
not with that intelligent, strong face,
If am any judge of faces"
He was introduced to her that even
ing by a mutual friend. The conversa-
tion was general. Miss Van Tassel
seemed to be a better listener than
talser, and Jack Ruthven was in no
position to judge of her conversational
ability when the good nights were ut
tered.
Certainly very attractive in ap-
uearance," Thought he, land doesn't
look day over %. believe Belle is
fibbing. Young ladies will get jealous
of attractive girls, aRd tell these little
white lies occasionally, under the infiu'
ence of the green-eyed monster"
The night Of the weekly hop arrived
and the dancing began promptly at the
appointed hour. All the younger girls
were soon upon the floor, dancing with
the young men of the place, but Miss
Van Tassel, as predicted, remained sit
ting beside her chaperone, to the great
satisfaction of the younger girls. Al
though they scoffed at the idea put
forth by Jack that they were jealou!
of her classic beauty, they were not
slow in turning the attention of the
"catch of the season"-Jack Ruthver
to her as a wall flower,
''I beXeve I'll ask her to waltz, my
self" said Jack, in his teasing way; anC
he suited the action to the word.
Dancing" exclaimed Mamie Smith
"Dancing the waltz" said viii
Blume, "his pet abomination-andw will
that icicle-the passe girl"
But the twain waltzed on, neithe
needing nor hearing the numerou
comments, keeping perfect time unit
the last bar was played. Then the.
quietly strolled out upon the verandi
TO a cozy corner, where they wer
found at the end of the hop by Aunt.
Chaperone," as the aunt was sar
castically dubbed by the young peopl
of the place.
"Come, my dear" said Mrs. Val
Tassel, sit is quite late. We must re
tire"
The niece quietly arose and bad
Jack Ruthven goodnight"
"You seem to have gotten on wei
with the bore,'" said Cousin Belle
spitefully.
Finely" replied Jack, in an ag
gravating tone of satisfaction. II Sc
just why the boys don't get on wit
her. There's nothing commonplac
about her. None of their small tai
would interest her, and flirting is ou
of her line altogether-a sealed bool
In fact. 1 don't believe she knows II
alphabet. Yet, Notwithstanding, IN
dear cousin, Miss Van Tassel is an il
teresting young woman, ii you star
her on the right track. IeXpect tose
more of her. She's the most attractiv
girl here"
Girl? Young woman! She's. 30,
she's day"
who told you so?"
Her looks for one thing, and Ma
Dietere's sister, who was her schoo
mate. is 30"
slime seems to have done little dan
age, then-if 80 is old. For my part,
find her more attractive than the il
sipids just from school, with which til
place abounds."