The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-05-29

but 4" Major Muffin" She shut her eve,
and looked again, and as she looked, saw
marriage" in capitals written back " ards
Il certainly was very strange; and if Major
Muffin
| A loud knock at the door hurried her q.
cross the room to listen. is Miss Crab a,
home 7" was asked in Il gentIemsn's voice
Penelope shut the book, aud threw it upon
the sofa. Deborah climbed up stairs, and
looked as if the clouds were eomiag down
Who's that, Deborah = inquired her
mistress.
Deborah's mouth opened like an oyster
as she said, MAJOR Muffin =
Fer minute or more, each stood open
eyed and epen-mouthed. At length Pene-
lope said, show the major up
There was a creBling of boots along the
passage, hem or two, and Penelope left
the door for q chair, where she sat as
though she hadn't moved. The door OPEN
ed and the major was announced. Pene-
lcpe was full yard shorter as she courtsied.
Major Muffin made his best bow, and De-
borah listened at the key hole.
i am sorry ma'am If I have intruded.'
Don't mention il, major Muffin pray
take a chair.
Muffin felt bashful to a degree. This
may sound singular, as the major was in
the army but summoning his courage, he
began by hoping Miss Crab was in good
heslth.' Her answer delighted him.
Quite, thank you Aud. after travelling
through the many intricacies of self intro
duction, and that to lady, tho major
begged to assure her Of the great respect
he had always entertained for Miss Pene-
lope Crab (He had condemned her to
the Satanic dominions u hundred times.)
Muffin hemmed or rather grunted. His
crnvat was tight, perhaps, but, nevertheless,
he expressed his sorrew, that, neighbors,
as they were, they were not better ncquain-
ted and it Miss Crab here Muffin had
a dead stop, and Penelope, scarlet with
confusion, rang the bell. Deborah moved
on tlptoe from the keyhole, and, creeping
down the first fleet of stairs, walked heavily
up again into the room, as though she had
just come from the kitchen.
She was told to hand maj. Muffin class
Of wine.
The conversation now proceeded moro
eIh'y The os"iieman sea ,;ed TO STAN ser,
and the lady gave over blushing as bad
job, while the major began TO think her q
much nicer woman than he had ever be-
lis,ed it in her nature to be. Penelope felt
as she hadn't felt for years. Could it be
possible tha, she was fa,ed to be Mrs. Muf-
fin 7
The wise in socisty, If they wish to in
gratiate themselves in the good graces If
the mother, always begin by extollng those
of her chubby brat. The major, as a man
Of the world, began BY prsising, not Miss
Grab, little Crab-lhst was a pleasure to
come-but her parrSt! Penelope f.l, the
compliment, and commenced eniargipg up
on his merits, and Muffin was made sensi-
bic that the parrot was II very good parrot,
for he said prayers like 4 Christian IS he
was, and was full Of good sentences. 10
fact, Penelope's Poll was bird Of charsc-
ter He whis,lec hallelujah like an organ,
and could say the Lords prayer Ms well AS
the archbishop. The parrot, evidently a.
ware that he was the subject Of conversa-
tioa, smoothed his feathers, and fixed his
black eye like a gmblet upon Major Auf-
fin, who, taking a chair beside the cage, de-
lighted Penelope by asking what o'clock it
was. Poll was as correct us a sandial, and
then whistled HYMN.
After little farther conversation, Major
Muffin rose to depar: assuring Miss Crab,
from tie bottom of his heart that she had
made him feel quite happy man. You
will be sure and come,' the tnsjor continu-
ed, and perhaps you will bring ysur par.
rot with you = he looked as if he could
have eaten il. Pretty fellow, he will be a
companion for nay Bob Penelope binted
something about evil communications ) but
Muffin msintsincd the report was unfound-
ed, and declared Bob to be the best natur-
ed creature in the world, and never Bit any
one.
The msjor then, after saying he should
expect her at five, mnde his bow and his
exit, and rs he went down stairs, felt salts
fed that he had made some impression up
on his next door neighbor.
The clock was striking FIVE when Mss
Penelope Grab knocked ut his door. Deb
orsh stood on the top step with cage N
hand. The parrot sat meekly on his perch
and seemed conscious he was going to pay
a visit. The door was opened, aud the Ia.
dy was shown up stairs. Muffin himself
met them, handed her q chair, and sat, as
= gentleman should, close by her side
Molly profted BY their example, placed
Jeremiah in his cage, side by side with Bob,
shut the door, and proved herself a mseli
better servant than Deborah had supposed
her to be, for she listened most stlentivsiy
on the outside.
The parrots looked suspieiossly at one
another with their beadIike eyes, bu, re-
nsined quiet os their percl.s.
Nov, Muffin, although no Jason, saw IN
perspective, a golden fleece. Gold, tbs,
true philosophers stone which oil .eek for
made him turn his eyes upon Penelope