Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1910-07-19

went 10 my room anu got bflet nap.
Why she consented to let me sleep
don't know. Perhaps she was busy an
noying some one else.
About o'clock met Margaret on
the piazza and proposed u walk we
both looked about furtivefy 10 see In
Joe was within sight or hearing
There was no trace of her. We start
ed. following secluded path through
dense shrubbery We passed on 10 u
rustic bridge leading over a creek.
paused and leaned against the rail
Margaret did the same. both OF us fac.
ing the roadway. Feeling safe from
interruption, | began my declaration
Margaret" began. III is Time hal
! should tell yon OF that fetli,'g which
has gradually been rising inSS~ breast
ever since have known yuu have
had ample opportunity 10 observe yonr
beautiful character. your kindly dis.
position and your native purity /
know that 1t Is presumption 10 one SO
unworthy as myself 10 aspire to be
anything more than a friend. feel
Crack
The sound was so near me that IL
shook every nerve in my body
could not only hear II; could feel It.
But couldn't see It. for II was direct
ly behind me- Indeed. the explosion
occurred at the end of my coatiaiI
1t was followed by another and an,
"a hnr IN, mid
but the explosions turned With ME.
Some one had tied bunch of fire
crackers to my coattaiI.
could neither see nor reach them.
for as turned they turned with me.
l endeavored to take hold of them. but
only turned faster and faster like
dog running around after his tail.
Then | backed up against Margaret
that she might relieve me OF them, but
she gave little shrek and retreated.
Take them orr cried
81 don't dare. They'll set my dress
afire"
True. dressed as she was In thin
white muslin. a spark from the pesky
things might ignite 1t and cause
tragedy. An opportunity 10 stop the
horrid swapping occurred to me. There
was water under the bridge. | ran
down there. feeling like one pursued
by cracking rifles, and. squatting In
the creek. had the satisfaction after a
few unified snaps beneath the surface
Of being relieved OF the annoyance.
My white trousers were wet nearly
to the knees My coattaiI was drip
ping. was in no condition TO con
tinue a declaration OF love. by aD
unexpressed consent we turned and
walked rapidly to The house. We had
not taken dozen steps when we
heard what | had heard before when
rising that very morning-an idiotic
'te-heem
Then | knew that we had been pre-
ceded by Joe: that she had taken po-
sition under the bridge and had tied
the crackers to my coattaii
On reaching the house Margaret
showed me rear entrance where
could go up TO my room without being
seen. There took or my trousers,
wrung them out. sat on them In lieu
of ironing and when they were dry
enough to put on weat down and join
ed the others on the lawn Joe was
there and when approached looked
at my trousers with well feigned sur
prise and asked II bad been bath
ing with my clothes on. turned my
back upon her without reply.
All waited TIL 1t grew dark enough
10 set of the fireworks. of which an
abundant supply had been provided.
was determined to have matters set
tied between Margaret and myself.
and as soon asfthe pyrotechnic dis
play commenced ! led her away Some
one saw US and asked where we were
going. Margaret equal TO the occa
sion. replied:
"Te the cupola We can there see
not only our own fireworks. but those
all about u.s."
Following the suggestion, to the Gu
pola we assembled But ! paid no al
tention TO what was passing below
This was my last opportunity to get
In my proposal. and FASTENED to
avail myself of 1t.
Margaret" | began again. this time
taking her hand. which she did not
withdraw, II was about to say to you
this afternoon when interrupted that
from the first moment OF our meeting
| have been impressed with your beau
tiful character aud. though ! know II
is presumption in me to-
Whiz.
A rocket screached not half dozen
feet above our heads.
/ looked down on the lawn and by
the red light saw Joe. assisted by
couple OF her boy friends, aiming an
other rocket directly at the cupola.
We had barely time to get down on
with its horrid noise above us. il was
followed by discharge OF roman can
dies, the balls OF which fell either on
the roof Of or In the cnpola There
was nothing for US 10 do but beat
precipitate retreat Margaret lost hei
head completely and ran down the
steep staircase so fast that she fell
Catching her up. her head fell upon
my shoulder. -
Sweetheart. Margaret. Dearest.
Speak to me.''
After all my proposition had come
not. as ! bad intended 1t, In formal
words. but from the heart
The most eveutfuI Independence day
In my life was oyer-eventful not only
that ! had been accepted by the girl
loved, but on account of the difficult
ties under which had made my pro-
posaL ! have now been married some
Eoa 70 nd aItl,nI,nh 1 r..,t.t IA .rnit ttn