Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-07-08

right madam"
swell, you are frank, Mr.. PLANT,
and shall certainly give you credit
for sincerity. Another man might say
ten times as much and should never
think of regarding it; but l know ]
can rely upon the word Of so honora-
BILE gentleman as Mr.. Paul Plant"
"Rely upon my word surely you
may, Mrs. Wilful, should be sorry
if
"Oh, don't mention it, my dear sir.
never doubted for moment; certainly
you never would have limited any thing
like an attachment unless you had been
sincere"
"Certainly, MAN," replied Paul in
great amazement, with the conjecture
how he had been so unlucky as to say
more than he meant; for Paul would as
soon have thought Of jumping off of a
steeple as of telling widow Willful he
feltan attachment forher. "Certainly,
by all MEANS" he continued to repeat
mechanically, ooh 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 en-
tirely at your service" Paul was in
such flutter that he was not aware what
he was uttering till the words were
past recall. "Bless me! what have
saidH' thought he to himself. But it
was too late.
"Oh, Mr.. Plant" said she, blushing
up to the ears, "you are too precipitate.
"Now, were it any other man, should
suspect him of trifling, But such man
as Mr.. Pliaant"
"Confound the jade?" quoth Paul to
himself, chow shall get out of the
scrape! hope she isn't going to faint.
Mrs. Wilful, madam, you know | say
thousand things of this sort. i can't
help it, you know"
"That's just as always supposed,
Mr.. Pliant; man of your sincerity and
frankness, can't help uttering his true
sentiments. All! like the honestman
of all things! Oh, Mr.. PLANT, you are
an honest man."
"Now this is too bad" tho't Paul,
in great tribulation. What shall say?"
only dear madam, / certainly wish to
be honest. Compliments, you know,
are compliments; butwhen man means
nothing-you know"
"Certainly, Mr.. PLANT, you are quite
right. When a man means nothing,
he should say nothing. l knew those
were your sentiments. Wasn't Iright?"
"Oh YES, by all means; quite right"
returned Paul in deeper embarrassment
than ever. He found himself fairly
caught: the widow'seyes sparkled, and
she languished three times at him. 81
won't speak another word," said he to
himself--"it only makes the matter
worse" He snatched a cup of whip
ped cream and pretended to eat it!
The widow saw his embarrassment,
and whether she suspected his deter
mination to resist all further attempts
to entangle him or not, we do not ex-
actly know; but she was resolved TO
not let him escape. A silence Of some
moments followed, til Paul finding he
could not decently hold his tongue any
longer, cast about for something inno-
centto say. After some hesitation upon
a variety of topics, he judged it safe to
admire the carpet-from the carpet,
natural transition was made to the pic
lures, and from the pictures to the win
dow curtains-the window curtains
led to the arm chair, the arm chair to
the sofa, and the sofa to a pair OF little
bodies in alabaster on the chimney
place.
"Charming! delightful" exclaimed
Paul-not exactly knowing whether
he meant to be understood of the arm
chair, or some other articles Of furni-
ture.
can't they?" said the widow.
.What hare | said again." quoth
Paul to himself, beginning to tremble
with apprehension. "Ihe furniture is
in good taste, Mrs. Wiliul-very eie-
gant-very fine"
GAIL vanity, Mr.. PLANT said the
widow, affecting very solemn look
-"these things are all vanity"
"Oh yes-you are quite right-all
vanity" replied Paul, taking spoon
full of whipped cream, and finding he