Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-06-25
From the Knickerbocker.
A CHAPTER ON PROPOSALS.

1t will not be deemed vanity at any age TO say,
that at twenty-five | was possessed of full share
of the ordinary personal charms of youth. With
in little of the Chesterfeldian standard of height,
five feet ten, with locks black and glossy as the
ravens wing, (aas the driven snow is not whittier
now y with fair complexion, cheeks glowing with
the tide of YOUTH and health, and possessing what
is generally considered sufficient good sense and
education for all the practical purposes of ife it
may be thought that my experience in matters of
the heart ought to have proved exception In The
rule that the course of true love never did run
SMOOTH But alas! no, so. 1t was my fortune
to become acquainted with young lady possessed
of so many charms, mental, moral and personal,
and so super-emnent in each, that it was indeed
impossible for me to avoid falling as did, desper-
ateIy in love with her.
As far as glances of the eye. tremors of the
voice, and occasional inuendoes. might 60, doubt
not that succeed full we'll in imparting to her
knowledge of the state of my heart; and will not
presume upon your patience much 10 detail
the ecslacy of Joy with which first discovered,
fancied that discovered. through similar media,
reciprocity of feeling on the ;part of the young
lady Let it suffice to say, that this was the case
and that the time came when it was incumbent
on me to make distinct avewal of my love-
This after long and perplexing mental debate | re-
solved to do by letter, and after writing some 40
epslles on as many sheets of gilded satin paper,
finally succeeded in forming one, amounting to a
bout six lines, containing as though the condens-
ed quntessence of every thing that could or ought
to be said on the subject. OF this precious NOR
ceaW, retain now but slight recollection. That
it abounded with terms expressive of pure, warm,
ardent, lowing, undying, everlasting affection, |
have not the least doubt. But unfortunately. this
lutte specimen of epistolatory excellence was
scarcely finished, when CHANGING 10 peruse some
of the experiences of predecessor in the paths of
love, read that nothing was more unwise or dam
gerous, than making an offer of ones hand and
hea 1T ty means of pen and paper.
With the credulity of simple mind, at once
gave implicit credence 10 this doctrine, and fright
ened at The fearful preciplces which had so mar
rowly avoided, | immediately destroyed my letter,
aud resolved to declare myself in person, with my
own lips md voice, and to hear with my own ears
the reply which was to seal my destiny.
Never did an Alexander, Wallace, or Ma.
poleon, feel the nspirtng effects of heroic
luton more powerfully than felt the influence of
this. | had resolved. would execute! | walk
ed the streets with The proud consciousness of the
heroism of my resolutions; and in the height of my
pride, fairly feared lest, in the words of the poet
i should strike the stars with my lofty head But
sensible of the imperfecIion of human powers, and
conscious that mine, IN particular, were liable to
fail Oh SO delicate an emergency resolved at least
10 write and commit TO memory my declaratory
speech. This undignified and foolish thing did.
Instead of trusting to the warm outpourlng of an
ingenious heart, which in some way at least would
have managed to make itself understood and telt
committed TO memory cold formula of words,
to be delivered as The schooboy recites his speech
of which 1t is sufficient for the purpose OF this ar
ticIe to recollect the following sentence; Miss
Adams will You allow me TO offer you my hand
and heart 2
The fearful hour arrived. The evening for my
wonled visit approached, and found myself seated
by the side of any adored, in the summer evening
twilight. The last rays Of the setting sun had
gradually disappeared from the rosy clouds that
fingered 10 the west. The full moon rode high |