Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-10-02

blessed; and Lily Aston was as sincerely
and universally loved and respected as ever
Lily Douglas had been.
MODE OF COURTSIIIP.
The Rev. DR.. LII, an cminen, Scotch
divine, and professor of theology, was re-
markable for absence of mind, and indillc-
renee TO worldly affairs. His mind, wrapt
up in lofty CONCENTRATIONS, could seldom
stoop to the ordinary business of life, and
when at any time he did attend to secular af-
fairs, he generally went about them in way
unlike any body else, as the history of his
court-ship will show. He was greatly below
cd by his elders and congregation; was full
of simplicity and sincerity, and entirely UNI
acquainted with the etiquette for the world.
Living the solitary, confor,less life of bach
elor, his elders gave him frequent hints that
his domestic happiness would be much in
creased by his taking to himsclfa wife, and
pointed out several young ladies in his con-
gregation, any one of whom might be fit
match or companion for him.
The elders, finding all the hints had no
effect in rousing the doctor to the using of the
means, preliminary to entering into matri-
monial alliance, atlast concluded to wait upon
him, and stir him up to the performance of
his duty. They urged on him the advantage
of marriagc-its happiness-spoke of it as
divine institution, and as affording all the
plcacures Of friendship, all the cnjoyments
Of sense and reason, and in short, all the
sweets of domes,icl life. The doctor approx
cd Of all they said, and apologized for his
past neglect of duty, on account Of many diff
ficult passages of Scripture he had of late
been attending to, and promised to look after
it, the first convenient season. The elders,
however, were not TO be put off any longer !;
they insisted on the doctor at once making
use Of the means, and requested from him
promise that, on Monday afternoon, he would
straightway visit the house of widow lady,
few doors from him, who had three pretty
daughters, and who were the most respccta-
bic in the doctors congregation. To solve
any difficult passage in the book of Genesis
reconcile apparent discrepancies, or clear
up knotty text, would have been an easy
and an agreeable task to the doctor, compared
with storming the widows premises. But to
the raising of the siege the doctor must 60,
and, with great gravity and simplicity, gentle
reader, you can imagine you see him COM
mencing the work.
After the usual salutations we're over he
said to Mrs. WV, "My session have
of late been advising me to take a wife, and
recommended me to call upon you, and as
you have three fine daughters, would like
to say word to the eldest, if you have no
objections" Miss VIII enters, and
the Doctor, with his characteristic simplicity,
said to her, "my session have been advising
me to take wife and recommended to call
upon YOU" The young lady who had seen
some thirty summers, was not to be caught
so easily; she laughed heartily at the Doctors
abruptneSs; limited to him that in making a
sermon, was it not necessary to say sOme-
thing first to introduce the subject properly
before he entered fully upon it.; and as for
her part, she was determined not to surrcn-
der her liberty at moments warning-"thc
honor OF her sex was concerned in her stand
ing out" This was all a waste of time to
the doctor, and he requested to secher sister.
| Miss Z. W--n then entered, and to
save time, the Doctor says tiny session have
been advising me to take wife, and I have
been speaking to your sister who has just
gone out at the door, and is not inclined that
way, what would you think of being Mrs
L-n. Oh! Doctor, don't know, it
is rather serious quC stIon. Marriage you
know binds one for life, and it should not be
rashly entered into-I would not consent
without taking time to deliberate upon it,"
My time says the Doctor is SO much occupied {;
as my session has said so much to me, on the
business, that l must finish tito day, if l can;
so you had best tell your mother to send in
your youngest sister to me.
In a moment comes the honest, lively Miss
Mary W-n. "Come away my child,
it is getting on in the afternoon, and must
get home to my studies; have been speak
ing to both of your sisters on little business,
and they have dcclined-I am man of few
words and without mispending precious time,
what would you think Of being made Mrs.
L-nl-lndeed, always thought a
deal of you Doctor, and if my mother does
not say anything against it have no objec-
tons. The Doctor left Miss Mary in few
minutes, enjoining her to fix the day, for any
one would suit him, but to send him up word
day before.
The Doctor was scarcely at home before
keen dispute arose in the family among the
three young ladies, all claiming the Doctor.
The eldest one said the offer was first made
to her, and she did not positively refuse.
The second declared that she wished only
little time to think uponit; and the youngest
insisted that it was completely settled with
her. The mother of the young ladies was
in such difficulty with her daughters, that
she was obliged to call upon the Doctor him
self to settle the dispute. She called, and
the reverend Doctor, in his characteristic
way said, MY dear Mrs. W, am
very fond Of peace in families; il is all the
same thing to me, which of them, and just
settle it among yourselves, and send me up
word The Doctor was married to the
youngest, and one Of his sons is at this day a
respectable clergyman, in the land of the
mountain and the floods Louis Bulletin
There is an old maid down east whose
nose is so sharp that she pairs her toe nails
Il, Il 4