Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-07-21
PAUL P LIAM T.;
The Man who couldn't say 'No.'
by THE AUTHOR OF "YANKEE NOTIONS"

by THE AUTHOR OF YANKEE NOTIONS
tive. Therefore, think it safe to suppose
that Paul Plants father and mother must
have been as negative pair as ever came
together, for Paul was the most affirmative
man that has yet been heard OF. He al
ways said yes to everything that was said,
proposed, suggested, insnua!rd or limited to
him. lie was true administration man un-
der all governments, never being in the OPP
position. He was one of those over-polte,
over. good natured, oIl-bc-easy, acqniescent
mortaIs, who seem to be sent into the world
for no other purpose than TO show how much
a man may suffer for want of IA lItlc contra
nindedness. Yes Certainly BY
all means.' mo doubt of it, with all
my heart very happy to obligc you.'-
Entirely at your SERVICE Oh yes.'-
oh yes ooh yes Such were Paul's
constant replies. AS for saying no. it was
as impossible to get it out, as Macbeth's
amen When he had most need of de-
nying, it stuck in his throat don't know
that he ever sat in the Legislature, but am
sure that if he ever did, when the yeas had
it, they had Paul also. He would not have
cried ME poswalem in the Polish Diet, if
the words could have demolished the parli-
ton treaty. Though he was not in the OPP
position, yet hardly think it correct to call
him Jackson man for he never retoed any
thing in his life, unless, in the style of the
honest country representative, Mr.. Speak
err, shall give my veto in tdvOr of this bill.
In short, Paul was the very pink of assem-
tients ~ incarnation Of mem con.
Now TINS is very good character for a
man 10 bear on some accounts, for il gets
one the reputation Of being ii good natured
fellow, and as the world commonly pretends
TO have high opinion of good natured fell
| lows, and according to the provcrb, 'opin-
i,n is the QUEEN of the world the reader
NAV ,l!iuk Panl must have had happy time
Of il. No such thing. Paul's good nature
brought him INTO more cmbarrasSmcnts and
vexa,ions than if he had been the crossrsi
cur that ever snarlcd. speak not of lend
ing umhrelas-'tis the lot Of mortality. To
lend money is about the same though money
lent sometimes comes back. But who would
believe that good na,ured man, merely by
reason of his good nature, and for no other
fault under the sun, could be led through such
rigmarole dance of adventure by the per-
versi,y of fortune, that he fought duel and
almost married widow
The widow Wilful was a lady Of a certain
age she had made the best of time, and lime
had returned the compliment. She had
shed many tears for the loss of her good man
so she protested. and cannot help think
ing she spoke the truth, for she tried very
han d TO get another However, this did no,
nrove so easya matter, for although the wild
ow was not without charms, the men were
shy. VIVA, could be the reason7 She gave
splendid parties and had sparks and DANGERS
without number, but it was never match
What could be the reason! the reader will
ask again.
1t is not exactly my business to tell, as
the story will be plain enough without it. and
if the reader cannot guess, it would not helT
him much to let on, the whole mystery.
This is truly delightful said Paul ono
evening to the widow, as he leaned his arm
over the back of her chair. and worked hi'
face up to the blandes, of all his acquiescen
smiles and esslvcd some n,irring compli
ment concerning the widows fine entertain
ment, This is truly delightful so mncl
hilari,y and cheerfulncss-so many happy f.
ces. I love to look on Them Paul mad
vcr,en,ly raised his eyes as he uttered thes'
words, and at the close Of the speech wa
looking straight into the widows face. liz
meant not the least harm in the world ; bn
the widow pretended to blush. She purse'
up her pretty mouth. =,
sOh, Mr.. PLANT, you are honest. Yo'
never say one thing and mean another
Certainly, by all means, my dear ma
DAM
Bat really Mr.. PLANT, my dear sir, whe
a gentleman tells lady he loves to look o
her, Won know that is really significant
'Oh yes. certainly; you are quite RICH
madam
r well you are frank, Mr.. Plant. and
y certainly give you credit for sincerity. Ane