The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-05-16
MISCELLANY.
ALMOST am Elopcm,esle.

We met an old friend the other day,
whom we had moi seen fer several months.
"John," said we in the course Of n converse
tion with him, "why don't yol get married
and settle down somewhere"
"Get married and settle down, you said,"
John repeated with emphasis.
eyes"
al came very near settling doarn without
getting married, while ago"
How's tha?"
"No mattcr-I don't like to tell secrets
to an editor"
"But in confidence, you know, John
Come, out with it,"
"Wcnt you tel?"
"No."
Now | know you will; but pledge me
that my name shall moi go with it, and you
shall have the story, and may tell ii as mLci
as you please"
We pledged our" sacred honor" and John
threw away his cigar and commenced.
Here some two or three months ago,
happened into one of the prettiesi little villa
ges you ever set your eyes upon -"
"What was its name"
"That's my concern, and I'll manage it
= without your assistance. 1t was indeed a
beautiful village, with pretty streets, pretty
houses, pretty gardens, pretty fences, pretty
everything-and among other things, pretty
women. The latter, you know, | naturally
take liking 10; and of course ! was moi
displeased when kind Of fifteenth cousin,
whom called OH during short stay there
ON business, strcly-invited me 10 make
bo,, f,r n c,rtnic,ht prc CO while
went over the sporting grounds in the neigh
borhood, and killed all the beasts, birds and
witches that ran wild there. Hang me if |
didn't thank tho fellow with full heart;
and removed my little bundle Of clothes
and other rubbish 10 his house in double
quick time.
Well, l had been there three or four days,
and had been cunning every day, without so
much as killing a woodpcckor or tree toad,
when one day, in crossing piece OF open
ground surrounded entirely with woods, ]
discovered, not little 70 my surprise, the
prettiest girl had ever seen in my whole
life. From her appearance, | judged at once
she had lost her way, and prepared myself
Immediately to perform 4 true piece Of gal
lanry. So walking straight up 10 hcr, CON
municated my suspicious very politely, and
enquired if could render any assistance.
She replied that she had lost her way in
attempting to get through the wood by an
obscure path, and would be very much obi
ged if led her into the main road, or point
out to her the direction in which il lay
Away VIC started together. On the way we
chatted about every thing we could think OF
Except her pretty self, which was thinking
of continually for she was socable as an cid
school.mate, and even told me her namn, the
nanie of her father, and the names of hall
a dozen brothers and sisters whom | had
never seen nor did moi care to see.
When we got into the road, she pointed
out her fathers house, which was in sight
and was going 10 thank me for my services
but stopped her by saying that it would be
very little out of my way to see her home
and would prefer to do so. 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 B-'s
farmhouse, | could have sworn we were ole
acquaintances left her, " hoping to see
her again, sometime" and she left me, " hop
ing to learn of my safe arrival at home"
The next Sabbath met her at church
the next Monday evening at village party
and escorted her home-tbe next Friday
called on her accidentally next Sun
day evening by permission: in two weeks
was in love'-and in four was the mex
move I'd the biggest fool that ever grew on
of natural philosophy. Three times popped
the question; but she would not say yes o
no, or even hint that she would or would no
seal my happiness. The fourth time sh'
looked very grave, hung down her head
sighed, and even, mistrusted, shed tears
"Shall ask the consent of your fatherr
said |, after waiting half an hour for an an