Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-08-23

T, her on a throne, then a successful war
rior. that her country IN ght offer
homage--loye and a cottage had its
! charms, aud sometimes thought how
delicious il would be TO softer for her
sake. These thoughts became feelings,
and was begun as a matter OF course,
! terminated in real tenderness, no less
ridiculous. / was a dIffident lad, en-
c~eedingly modest-judge then Of my
sincerity by its effects.
Finding myself alone with her in a
| beautiful bower by moonlight, | fell
upon my knees, seized her fair hand,
and made a vehement declaration Of
my passion. l besought her to have
compassion on my youth, and not by
coolness to destroy its hOpes-I vowed
eternal truth, and swore desperately
| could not live without her-I drew a
glowing picture of the delight of mar
ried life; and expatiated warmly on
the cruelty of parents and iriends-I
| promised to make the best of husbands,
| and tenderest of fathers; and shuddered
| at the prospect o: separation; shed tears
| at the bare Imagination of indifference;
and finally, rising with my subject,
assured her that / had 8l0 untouched,
aud besought her to comnt herself to
my protection, and eiope with me
that night. ! was too much agitated
in The first instance to observe the ct
feet of my p'eadiug,, bot | was 500
most ~fearfully enlightened. Imagine
my boundless horror, my stupeiaction
of feeling, at hearing her burst into a
loud laugh, aud seeing her spring from
her seat, glide rapidly out of tue bow
er. was agonized beyond all de-
scription; rubbed my eyes and nose,
and tried to persuade myself that all
that had passed was a dream. Pre-
sentiy my brother came into the arbour
he had an ~unspeakable grin upon his
odious face, but he said nothing. and
affected to look after some unmissed
article, and went out again; nexs my
father walked slowly past. whistIing,
as il perfectly Indifferent To my move
ments; bot noticed a quick, queer,
merry looking glance that vas not to
be misunderstanding story o travel
led-my acquaintance tried hard not
to laugh in my face, and the more they
stlHed their mrth the more frigh,ful
seemed its occasional ehu!lhions and
she, the cruel cause Of misery to M,
she married in about a week sfIer this
event, a man Of 80, who, as Black
wood says, Shaved twice a day ,"and
no doubt entertained him nightly win
! the pathos of the smooth chlnntd boy,
- no had the presumption TO try to
supplant tim.
This adventure cured me completely
OF sentiment. l ceased for a time, all
attempts to captivste fair ladies', and
turned an eye Of admiration on myself
Al seventeen was a puppy, a dandy.
my dress and appearance the only
subjects worthy my contemplation -
detested poetry, the moon and little
children. and generally gave these a
sly pinch or kick, when they had the
presumption 10 expect that | should
play with them This state continued
a few years, and then, last stage Of all
came whiskers, mustachios, love, real
love, marriage. business, hustle, and
twenty nine. Here pause--t would
be egotism to say fariher-my friends
alone mus, decide whether the boy be
like the mani think not-so with
nearly thirty years on my shoulders,
all the usual cares of life, and some,
perhaps, that are no, usual, I take my
leave, to 6gh. out the remainder as it
may. Il, V.