Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-06-15


I'm yes, certainly; you are quite right,
madam
! well, you are frank, Mr. Plant, and shall
certainly give you credit for sincerity Anoth-
err man might say ten times as much and
should never think of regarding it; but know
! ! can rely upon the word OF so honoyablAa
gentleman as Mr.. Paul Plant. :
'Rely upon my word surely you may, Nus
Willul, should he sorry if
'Oh, don't mention it, my dear sir. rnever
doubted Tor moment, certainly YOU. never
would have limited any thing ike an attach
ment unless you had been sincere.'
Certainly, ma'anf,' replied Paul, in great a.
pazcment, with the conjecture how he had
! 0cen so unlucky as TO say more than lie meant !;
Tor Paul would as soon have thought of Jump
ing out of steeple as of telling widow Will
ful he felt an attachment for her. Certainly,
oy all means,' he continued to repeat, me-
chemically, oh yes, certainly
pray, Mr.. PLANT, be so good as TO hand me
"a glass of water; really, the room is so warm
just reach your hand'
Certainly madam my hand is entirely at
your service' Paul was in such hu,tcr that
he was not aware what he was ut,ering till the
words were past recall Bless me what
have said y thought lie to himself. But it
was too late.
'Oh, Mr.. Pliantn said she, blushing up TO
the ears, you arc too generous. mean yon
arc almost too precipi,atc. Now, were il any
other man, should suspect him Of triling
But such man as Mr.. Plant
! 'Conound the jaden quoth Paul TO him
sell, show shall get out of the scrape
| hope she isn't going to faint Mrs. Wil(ul-
lnadam-you know | say thousand things of
this sort. can't help it, you know
THAT'S just as always supposed, Mr. PHI
ant; man Of your sincerity and lrankness,
can't help uttering his true sentiments. All
like the honest man of all things Oh, MIR.
Plant, you are an honest man.
Now this is too bad,' thought Paul, in great
tribulation. What shall say ? My dear
pliments, you know are compliments but
when man means nothing-you know
Certainly, Mr.. Plant, you are quite right.
When a man means nothing he should say
nothing. knew those were your sentiments
Wasn't righ:n
ooh yes, by all means; quite right return
ed Paul in deeper embarrassment than ever.
lie found himself fairly caught; the widows
! eyes sparkled, and she languished three times
at him. Il wont speak another word,' said he
10 hmself-slt only makes the matter worse
lie snaiched cup of whipped cream and pre-
tended 10 eat it.
The widow saw his embarrassment, and
( whether she suspected his determination to
resist all further attempts TO cntansle him or
not, we do not exactly know; but she was
resolved not TO let him escape. silence of
some moments followed, till Paul finding he
could not decently hold his tongue any longer,
cast about for something innocent to say AT:
ter some hesitation upon variety of topics,
he Judged 1t safe to admire the carpet-from
the carpet, natural transition was made to
the pictures, and from the pictures TO the win
dow curtans-lhe window curtains led 10 the
arm chair, the arm chair to the sofa, and the
sofa TO pair of little babies in aabasler OH the
chimney-pace.
Charming Delightful exclaimed Paul
not exactly knowing whether he meant to be
understood as speaking of the arm chair, or
some other article of furniture
amt they =? said the widow.
i 'What hare said again ? Guoih Paul 10
himself beginning to tremble with a2prehen-
sion. The furniture is in good taste, Mrs
Wllful-very elegant--very fne.'
'All vanity, Mr.. Plant said the widow, ai-
fecting very solemn look-sthese things are
all vanity
4 ooh yes-you are quite right-all vanity
replied Paul, taking a spoonful of whipped
cream, and finding he had got nothing in his
mouth.
'Ah Mr.. Piantn said the widow languish-
ingy.
yes, exactly So returned Paul.
Exactly now; Mr.. Plant, pardon me.
} didn't perceive the drift of your observation.
BEG pardon, ma'am--I was only saying-as
you remarked, thateverything was remarkably
fine in this house of yours, and that all is
, vanity or rather should say, that one thing
is needGul.'
'Ah. Mr.. PLANT, | understand you-you
mean the furniture is complete except one ar
tice'
Exactly so. Yes,-that is--f you think
: anything is wanting, replied Paul in consider
able perturbation, and glad to escape the APP
: pearance OF finding fault, by any sort of equi-
vogue.
The widow clapped her handkerchief to her
face, and exhibited or pretended 10 exhibit a
slight emotion. My dear Mr.. Plant, said she,
t in tender voice, it is Impossible not TO I'M
dersand you. Y on mean hus-husband"
"A husbandn exclaimed Paul, startled by
: the auddcious boldness of the suggestion.
f Il knew you meant so,' returned the widow
1 sinking into the chair. ooh my dear sir, | feel
quite over embarrassed Paul's inlellects
: were in such cloudy state at this moment
D that he thought she was just going to call Gol
, hartshorn, when she opened her eyes with ar
S appearance of greater langour.
= .Oh, Mr.. Plant! the sincerity Of this avow.