Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-12-14
than at any former period. The occasion was

this
Peter had long been enamoured Of very pref
~, and what was still better, of very good gift,
but somehow or other he did nCt make much ad.
vance. He was always kindly received and warm.
Iy Welcomed aud the young lady's brother as well
MS her father and MOTHER were decidedly partial
to him. Whether it was his nodesty, or that he
believed he was not beloved again, certain il is
that he had never spoken of love, except with his
eyes, and that delicious awkwardness so amusing
to dsinterested spectator that always enbarras-
SEES n modest lover. Ii was thought too that Ann
had returned his glance in kind, hut he was too
modest 10 perceive it, and as maidenly modesty
could do no more, affairs were likely to remain in
this way till both parties died, or what is more
likely, I'LL the lady got tired of waiting, when an
Incident occurred that caused the exclamation we
have written down.
An excursion up the river was proposed in which
music and dancing were to he the features. Ann
and her brother and several young men who vsi-
ted the house, were ofthe party, and Peter had an
tcipated much pleasure in going, but job for an
excellent customer, shat was to be exec .Ited imne
dately, prevente his attendance The following
evening he met one Of the persons who had en-
joyed the trip. He spokein terms of ecstacy Of
the beauty of Ann-told how often he had danced
with her, and how she had given him flower.
which he produced and kissed and said he would
keep forever for her sake.
Peter declared that ii was false, with spirit un-
usual for him in the mean time he felt that it was
true but he hoped the other would resent his
words, that he might have the pleasure OF giving
him good thrashing. The young man ouly
laughed.
wish were he, sighed Peter, as he left the
group.
The next day the young fellow came into Peters
store, and produced letter written in a faint wo
manish looking hand asked him iriumphantly if
whether he would believe him then. The letter
read thus:
Dear Mr.. Muggins--I have heard of the re
marks you made about my flower, and of your ex-
presSions in regard to myself. | canno; see you
alone in the day -time, but if you will come this
evening, and clap your hands three times under
my chamber window, will endeavor to reward
you as you deserve. Excuse my not signing my
name for fear ofaccident.'
Peter was thunderstruck. Ii was evident that
Aun loved Muggins-t could be no doubt of
it. Peter sighed and felt as il he could do no
work, and as if he did not care whether lie ever
worked again or not. At an early hour he shut
up his store and wandered out in n restless spirit
determined ~ see the result of the interview.
He remembered that AIMS chamber window
was Mt the ba ok of the house. What lover does
not know tile resting pluce of his MISTRESS and in
woke blessings on her head as the faint illumination
of its window tells him she is retiring to sleep, as
hebeeves, under the special guardianship of her
sister angels. At the back Of the house where
was situated AIMS chamber window, was n long
garden, at the bottom of which was a neat arbor
and in the middle n fish pond, which, in the moon
light, looked like sheet of silver. cit is very
beautiful" thought Peter, "but it is nothing to me-"
Peter ensconced himselfin the arbor, and about
half an hour afterwards he saw cautiously enter.
ing the garden, his rival. He was highly elaed in
anticipation of his coming happy interview.
81 wish were he," sighed Peter, as Muggins
passed him and advanced under the window. 81
do .ftah lxt
three taps were given.
Instantly the window was raised, and voice
exclaimed" is it you ?"
"Yes, it is /, Muggius, was the reply.
Peter felt as if heaven and earth were annihila-
ted and chaos was come again. When, 10 from
the window came no lady but sack Of Four,
with which the highly scented Mr.. Muggi : and
his very best suit of dress black were lilera GOV.
cred. Before he could get the memento ls,tticles
from his eyes, three stout fellows issued lruu the
house, seized him, and hurrying him along, plump
ed him head and ears into the ishpond.
"There, coxcomb, that is what you deserve,
cried voice which Peter recognized to be AIMS
brothers.
Muggns did not wait to hold conversation, but
scrambled out like dog, with his tail between
hls legs, and sneaked off in double quick tme.-
Peter was astonished 1t was inexpIicable. He
thought he must be dreaming. lie was not the
only astonshed person. The ridiculous figure of
the retreating Muggins excited the risble faculties
OF AIMS brother TO such degree that he could
not stand, but holding both his sides, reeled into
the arbor and deposited himself in Peters lap
A mutual explanation ensued. Muggins had
stolen the flower which Ann had dropped and
supposed she had lost. Her brother had heard
the impudent, lying boast of the gift, and had de-
termined to be revenged. He wrote the note OF
appointment in hand as much as possible like
AIMS. The result has been told. Blu. the broth.
er did not stop lhere-he sounded Peter as to his
affect ion for his sister, and heard as he supposed
that it was unbounded. They entered the house
togeher,and with sweet confusion, when the broth
er remembered he had forgot something, aud
Ann and Peter were left alone together, Peter
sammered in AIMS loving ears his long passion.
Peter became happy husband, and never
since these three sufficient warnings has he been
known to wish himself any other person than his
own proper self.