American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-03-14
ALMOST AN ELOPEMENT.

ALMOST AN ELOPEMENT.
We met an old friend the other day whom
we had not seen for several months. ''John,'
said we, in the course of a conversation with
him, ''why don't you get married and settle
down somewhere!"
''Get married and settle down, you said,"
John repeated with emphasis.
Eyes"
- came very near settling dolrn withou: get
ting married, while ago"
'How's that"
mo matter don't like to tell secrets TO al
editor.n
But in confidence, you know, John. Come,
out with it,"
Wont you tell"
NO.
"Now know you will; but pledge me that
my name shall not 90 with it, and you shall
have the story, and may tell it as much as you
please"
We pledge our "sacred honor and John
threw away his cigar and commenced.
'Here some two or three months ago, hap
pened into one ofthe prettest little villages you
ever set your eyes upon -"
"What was its name?"
"That'S my concern, and I'll manage il with
out your assistance. 1t was indeed beautiful
village, with pretty streets, pretty houses, pref
ty gardens, pretty fences, pretty every thing
and among other thing, pretty women. The lat
ter, you know, | naturally take liking to- and
Of course | was not dispeased when kind of
fifteenth cousin, whom | called on during a
short stay thereon business, strictly-inpited
me to make his house my home for fortnight
or so, while | went over the sporting grounds
in the neighborhodo, and killed all the beasts,
birds and witches that ran wild there. Hang
ne if ! didn't thank the fellow with full heart;
and | moved my little bundle of clothes and
other rubbish to his house in double quick time.
Well, had been there three or four days, and
had been cunning every day, without so much
as killing wood-pecker or tree-toad, when one
day, in crossing piece of open ground sur
rounded entirely with woods, discovered, not
little to my surprise, the prettiest girl had
ever seen in my whole life. From her appear
ance, Judged at once she had lost her way
and prepared myself Immediately to perform e
piece of true gallantry. So walking straight
up to her, communicated my suspicious, very
politely, and inquired if | could render any as
sistance.
She replied that she had lost her way in at
tempting to get through the wood by an OBJ
scure path, and would be very much obliged if
led her into the main read, or point out to her
the direction in which it lay Away we start
ed together. On the way we chatted about
every thing we could think of, Except her pref
ty self, which | was thinking of continually
for she was sociable as an old school mate, and
even told mo her name, the name of aer father,
and the names of halfa dozen brothers and sis
tiers whom had never seen, and did not care
20 see. When we got into the road, she point
ed out her fathers house, which was in sight,
and was going to thank me for my services; but
stopped her by saying that it would be very
little out ofmy way to see her home, and pre-
'ferred to do Sc. All the way there, we chatted
and laughed, and told stories, and even jokes
and by the time we parted at the gate of old
Deacon BE- fars house, could have sworn
that we were old acquaintance. | left her,
"hoping to see her again, sometime" and she
left me, "hopng 20 learn of my safe arrival at
home"
The next Sabbath met her at churcl-thc
next Monday evening at village party, and
escorted her hone-the next Friday called
on her "accidentalIy'-thc next Sunday even
ING by permission; in two weeks was in love
in three | had "told my love"-and in four
was the next move to the biggest fool that ever
grew out of natural philosophy. Three times
| popped the question; but she wouldn't say
YES or no, or even hint that she would or would
not sea! my happiness. The fourth time she
looked very grave, hung down her head, sighed,
and even, ! miStiltSted, shed tears "Shall |
ask the consent of your father?" said |, after
waiting half an hour for an answer to the
question on which hung my hopes "Ihat
would never do" she answered with a sigh;
"he would not consent TO my marriage with
you; kno1v he would not.
mistrusted from this that she herself had
preached the subject to the Deacon, and had
got fiat refusal of his consent to the match.
walked home that evening in much distress,
passed restless night at my Cousins house,
and rose the next morning with my head full
of pains and dark iorebodngs. MY cousin
rallied me on my dull appearance, and deter
mined at once to tell him the secret of my
troubles and ask his advice. | accordingly ac-
companied him to his little grocery, and when
there, unra yelled the whole matter as to bro
Their. "That Ellen B." said he, when |
had concluded, sis the greatest coquette in the
country, or the world, and | advise you to
keep your love matters to YOURSELF when you
are in her company. If had mistrusted you
were at all tender | should have told you Of
this before, but as it turns out, advise you
now to let her alone.'' did not make any
reply, but really thought my cousin the biggest
fool in Chrstendom. Had she not kept my
company-and said soft things to me-and
blushed, and grieved and sighed, when pop
ped the question for the fourth time2
The next evening called on Ellen again
she was alone, and seemed twice as beautiful
as ever. For the fifth time, offered her my
hand. She came very near faintng away, but
would not answer me yes or no. What could
the matter be? OF course attributed the whole
TO the obstinacy Of the deacon, her father