Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-03-31
1tlistcllaup.
A Story of Leap Year.

Sam Smith sat at home, on New Years day,
In dishabllc. His beard was unshavcd his hair
was uncombed. his boots were unblacked, and
he was leaning back in psturesqe attitude
with his heels against the mantlepiece, smoking
a cgar.--Sam thought to himself that it was
leap year, and how gracious it would be 1t the
ladies could only be induced to pop the question
in accordance with their ancient privileges as
he sat watching the smoke which SO grace
fully curled, his fancy glowing with the iuea'
How delightful it would be to have the GEAR
creatures fpnding on him, and with tehaer g'an-
ces endeavoring to do the agrecao'e Ae 'le
meditated his heart soitencd, ana ne oegam 10
feel a soueamish. womanish sensbllity dlifusc
itself over his feelings, and thought he would
faint with propriety the first time a young lady
should squeeze his hand.
Ran. ran. rap sounded at the door. Sam
neeped through the Venetian Blinds. Mercy
exclaimed he " if here is MT Miss Jones, and
all in di-habc, and looking like fright
goodness gracious! must get away, and fix
myself up"
As he left the room Miss Jones entered, and
with composed air intimated that she should
wait Miss Susan Jones was firm believer in
woman's rights, and now that the season was
proptious, she determined to take advantage
thereof, and to do little counting on her owr
had been usurped by the tyrant, man, she wa'
determined to assert her rights. in spite OF thu
hollow iormalties of false system of society
Meanwhile, with Il FACILITATING heart San
Smith went through series OF personal adorn
ments.--Thc last twist was given to his collar
the last curl to his whi>kers, and, with white
camhric in hand, he descended to the parl,r
Miss Jones rushed to receive him, and graspins
his hand with fcrvor said-"Dearest, how beau
tful you look ~ accompanying the words will
glance of undisguised admiration.
"Spare the bushes of Il modest young man,
said Sam, applying cambria to his face TO hd
his confusion.
may, my love, why so cry !" said Susan
"turn not away those lovely eyes, dark as jet
but sparkling as the diamond. Listen to th,
VOWS of fond affection. Here let us rest, said
she drawing him to the sofa e; here. with ny
arm round thee, will prolec; my true affection
Leave me, oh, leave me- murmured Sam
",hiuk of my youth, my inexreriel ce-spare, oil
spare, my palpifating heart
leave thee said Susan, pressing him close
to her; "never, until the story of restless nights
of quiet days. of aspiration, fond emotions, am
uniying love is laid before thee. Know that f
years have nursed for thee secrtt passion
Need tell each manly beauty moved me; how
] worshipped like sunllower in the lurid light
vi tlost sCiilcl t'ceScs , Ho" III. ioHu hc"it wa
entrappcd in the meshes of those magnicen
whiskers how was willing to yield up to tn
government OF that 'mperial;' thy manners, ST
modest, so delicate, enchanted me-joy to me
for thy joy was my joy. My heart is thine
take it-but first let me snatch one kiss iron
those ruby lips"
The over-wrought feelings of the delicate
youth were too strong, and lie tainted from ex
cess of JOY. Meanwhile the cnamored nader
hung fondly over him and
Slowly the eyes OF Samuel Smith opened-he
gazed wildly around him-thcn meeting the ar
den, gaze OF uis .lovyer." blushcd deeply, and
behind his kerchef family ialtered out" Ash
my pa !'-S'. Louis RereiNe.