Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-02-18
fol walked the streets with a proud

execute! walked the streets with a proud
consciousness of tho ieroism of my resolu-
lion (; and in the height of my pride, fairly
feared least IN the words Of "A poet l should
strike the stars with my lofty head. But
sensible of the ,mperfcctions of human pow
ers, and conscious that mine in particular
were liable to fail in so delicate an emergen-
cy, | resolved at least TO write and commi,
TO memory my declaratory speech. This
undignified and foolish thing ! did. Instead
Of trusting TO tho warm outpouring of an in
gcnuous heart, which in some way at least
would have managed to make itself UNDER
stood and felt. | committed 10 memory Il
cold formula OF words, to be delivered as the
school-boy %recitcs his speech, Of which it is
sufficient for tho purpose Of this article to
recollect the following sentence :" Miss Ad-
ans! will you allow me to offer you my
hand and heart :"
The fearful hour arrived. The evening
Of my wonted visit approached, and found
myself seated by the side Of my odored, in
the summcr evening twilight. The last rays
ofthe setting sun had gradually disappeared
from the rosy clouds that fingered ABOVE the
west. The full moon rose high in heaven,
and one by one the glorious stars became
visible:
Stood III % with a willow in her hand,
Upon the wild sea banks, and waved her love
To come again TO Carthage"
The open window by which we sat looked
ont upon a garden stored with "A profiision OF
rich and rare flowers, from which there cx-
hailed, and arose around us, delicious fra
GRANGE, forming a fit atmosphere for. such, "A
scene. The time, the silence, the scenery,
every thing was appropriate; and she, the
beautiful, the almost uncartlly, seemed, by
intuition, to understand my thoughts and in
ten,ions, as with head bent down she gazcd
land with a slight blush upon the fair checks
around which her auburn curls were play
ing,) upon a moss-rose which she earnestly
engaged in pulling TO pieces. was en-
ployed in the equally serious occupation OF
opening and shutting a small fancy snul!-box
which | had in my hand.
Alas where now was the .Alexandrian or
Napoleon courage that inspired me | felt
my valor oozing out of tho palms Of my
hands. But at last, %summoniig resolution,
like a man upon the scallold who wishes to
die with at least seeming iortitudc, or to use
a more forcible illustration, gathering togcttl-
er and concentrating, as it were, all the en-
crgies otthe mind, after the manner of one
about 10 submit to that most nhuman OF all
earthly '~orturcs, the cXctratlon of a tooth ]
say, with such energy as this, | raised my
eyes to those of Isabella, and in the language
of my prepared speech said, "Miss Adams!
The uncertainty and startling emphasis
with which this rather formal commence
ment was delivered seriously frightened both
parties. The rose dropped from her fingers
The box from mine, and l was only able to
follow up this impressive eXordium with
some commonplace remark ahont the beau
~ Of the evening, after which We relhpsed
into our former silence.
Gathering, However, energy from defeat,
| made after a slight pause a second at
tempt.
"Uiss .Adams," said !, in a slow, sol
cmn, sepulcllral voice, "mW yo"-wW 90,
-mW you-al!ow me TO offer you-to oiiei
you-apineh ofmuG!"
"Wiih pleasure, sir" replied a soft, sweet
voice, which, in contrast with my own
, Sounded like strain Of soft music following
up the rumblines Of an earthquake. | icl
my eyes starting from my head. ltcH thai
the veins on my forehead were swollen like
the streams of Spring. felt the blood man
Ting overfacc, brow and neck. ! heart the
loud beating Of my heart; and in an agony
Of both bodily and mental pain TO which the
rack, the wheel, and the gibbct were para
disc, | rushed from the room, hurled to my
home, entered my own chamber, locked
doubly, trchly locked my door, lest any one
should observe my shame, and vented my
spleen in idle imprccations upon my owl
| stupidity.
An hours walk across my chamber served
however, to calm my spirits and with
composurc that seemed really supernatural
compared with my recent agitation, | sd
down and wro,c:-
DEAR lsAnELLA-Take pity on an I'M
happy youth, who is too deeply in love will
YOU to after two consecutive words in YOU
presence. ! am miserable till | hear from
You"
This note Was Immediately despatched
and in half an hour was the happicsi MAJ
in the universe. My Isabella proved IA pat
tern of excellence ; | was never ollende,
witt, her but once, and then she disprllo'
my wrath by asking ne, in a mock seriou
tone of voice, "Wil you-will you-alIov
me to offer you-a pinch of snufil"
SEMEN.