The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-20

CF'rom the Boston Post.1
My brothers trouble was summed up
in these lines:
I swear I adore her each morning rise,
Yet when I'm before her all my elo-
Quence flies.
All this he confessed to me, his sis
ter. To think of Jack being afraid of a
girl was simply rich. and ! could not
help giving vent to my mirth- Jack,
however, could see nothing funny in
loving girl and being completely
tongue-tied in her presence, and left
my room, slamming the door behind
him in no gentle fashion.
Later I went to my brothers room
to put away his laundry. I patted ad-
miringly his clean ducks always
strongly as when I saw my brother in
all the glory of white duck. A tempta-
ton came over me to put them on, and
few moments later found me trans
formed into a stunning summer man.
We were strikingly alike, my brother
and l. In fact, when he borrowed my
woman" in a play, everyone thought it
was I until he undeceived them by at
tempting to put his hands in his pockets
in truly masculine style.
A brilliant thought! My brother had
gone to the city, and would not return
until midnight. Why not go and pro-
pose for Jack? would whistle for Mar
ian and wait under the old apple tree
until she stole from under the eye of
her father, who did not approve of Jack
and then propose in the most lover
like manner.
The difficulty lay in the prospect of
being unceremoniously elected by Mar
ian's father. I now really appreciated
the difficulties OF a man forced to court
Surreptitiously.
Love of adventure spurred me on
however, and, casting a last admiring
glance at myself in the glass, I ran
downstairs. was much encouraged
when auntie called to me: ''Why, Jack
L thought you were in town"
Everything went beautifully. I whis-
tied their private whistle, and was soon
rewarded by the appearance of the lady,
for the time being, of my heart.
have always thought what a perfect
proposal I would make were I a man,
and think did. I led up to it in the
most approved manner and at the
proper place drew her head tenderly to
my manly bosom and kissed her hair
her hands, her lips.
She remarked that she had never no.
ticed how much alike my sisters voice
and mine were, but was evidently I'M
suspicious I own felt a little guilty;
she was so loving, so glad that 1 loved
her.
was enjoying my novel experience
quite as much as Jack could possibly
have done, and time flew rapidly as I
made plans for our future. 1 have Of
ten wondered how Jack-but that's an
other matter.
We were suddeny brought to earth by
a noise few feet away. in the direction
of a hedge. She begged me to fly, and
needed little urging. Jokes concerning
the popular methods used by fathers to
dispose of unwelcome suitors flashed
through my mind, and the flesh was
weak enough to tremble as pressed
her to my heart in a last fond fare
well.
When I reached home a light was
burning in my brothers room. Had
Jack returned? Running hastily to my
OF n 1r,fv~ eli tot.
a dressing gown, and surveyed rueful-
ly the once respondent ducks" Why
hadn't I remembered that Jack always
spread a handkerchief before he sat
down, and that even a proposal would
not make him so far forget himself as
to lean against a tree. However, the
deed was done.
I went to Jacks room and peeked in.
He was lying face down on the bed.
us that you, Sis?' he called.
went in, and when I saw his face
was thoroughly frightened.
Jack - cried, what is it ?''
After a few minutes he said: ct told
you about Marian. Well,it was a dream.
I came out on the nine, and went over,
intending just to sit under the old ap-
pie tree where we always meet. / reach
ed the hedge and saw her with her head
on some lucky fellows shoulder. OF
course, she's not to blame. and am not
worthy of her, but-oh, Sis, couldn't you
have helped me?"
I drew a deep breath and waded into
my confession. not pausing until even
the ruined clothes had been owned up
to. I think he thought L was crazy; for
he stared at me open-mouthed, and
when I had finished his sole comment
was: ''Well, I'll be darned!"
I can't say he was pleased, but my
devotion touched him, and he refrained
from any harsh remarks.
He took the goods the gods provid-
ed" and "they lived happily ever at
ter" and it's a fact that she thinks the
V7iN or oil n yir1o hol h0
one under the old apple tree.