The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-03-29
A LEAP YEAR STORY-POPPING THE
QUESTION

questoner, almost lmpercepuDly ihciiHihS nearer
to the young man. .'Nowj wjusttel me right straight
out, you WHAT"
"Why, 10, pshaw, don't know!"
"You do, say you do know, come, l want to
know!' oe
80, can't tell you-"
81 Isay you can. Why, you know III never men,
ton it, andyou may tell, of course, you know, for
havn't always been your friend?"
swell, you have, know, replied the beleaguer-
ed youth.
"And Pm sure always thought you liked me"
went on the maiden in tender and mellow accents.
80, I do upon my word-yes, indeed | do, Ma
ria" said the unsophisticaed youth, very warmly,
and he found that Maria had unconsciouy placed
her hand in his open palm.
Then there was a silence.
"And theh-well. John!" said Maria, dropping
her eyes TO the gIound.
"Eh! OH well'" said John. doping his eyes
and Mara's hand at the same moment
"I'm pretty sure you love somebody, John; in
fact" said Maria, assuming again tone of ralery,
81 kr,r,o you're in love, and, John, why don'tyou
tell me all about II at once'"
"Well. l."
"WeA II you silly mortal, what is there to
be afraid of"
10, it ant because I'm afraid ofanything at all;
and l'll-well now, Maria, I aoiH tell you."
swell now, John!"
ID"
"Eh?"
d."
eyes"
81 an, in love! now d.nt tell; you won't will
youi" said John, violently seizing Maria by the
hand, and looking in her face with most implo-
ring expression.
"Why, of course you know, John, III never
breathe word ofit-yod know wont, don't you,
John?" This was spoken in mellow whisper,
and the cherry lips OF Maria were so near Johns
ear when she spoke, that had he turned his head to
look at her, there might have occurred an exceed
ingy dangerous collision.
"Well, Maria," said John, "I've told you now,
and SO you shall know all about it. have always
thought great deal of you and"
"Yes, John"
81 am sure you would do anything for me that
you could"
"Yes, John, you hno,D would"
"Well, thou hit so, and you don't know how
long I've wanted to talk to you aboutit
al declare, John, I-you might have told me
long ago if you wanted, for I'm sure never was
angry with you in my life."
"No, you wasn't; and have often felt a great
mind to, but"
'sIt's not too late now, you know, John"
"Well, Maria, do you think I'm too young to
get married."
"Indeed, do not, John; and I kr,otU it would
be good thing for you, too, for every body says
the sooner young people are married the better,
when they are prudent and inclined to love one
another
"That's Just what think; and now, Maria, do
want to get married, and if you'll just"
"Indeed, will, John, for you know was al
ways partial 10 you, and I've said so often behind
your back"
"Well, declare, I've all along thought you
might object; and that's the reason I've been al
ways afraid to ask yon."
"Object! no!I'd die first; you may ask ofme just
any thing you please"
"And you'll grant it'"
sI will"
.'Then, Maria, / want you to pop the question
for me to Mary Sullivan, for"
"Whnt?"
"Eh!"
"Do you love Mary Sullivan"
"Ob, indeed do with all my heartp'
81 always thought you were fool. I"
"Eh?"
al say you're fool, and you'd better go home,
your mother wants you! o, you-you-you stu
pid' exclaimed the mortified Maria in ashrill tre-
BILE, ard dshe gave poor John slap on the cheek
that sent him reeling. It was noon-day, and yet
John declares he saw myriads Of stars flashing
around him, more than he ever saw before in the
night time. Poor Maria
Never told her love,
But let coDcealment like worm i the bud,
Prey on her damask cheek. !"
Thus, alas! how often are the germs Of young af-
fec,ions cast away! For it is buttoo true as Da-
vie Crockett beautifully expresses it.
"The course oftrue love never did run smooth