Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1848-04-27
From the st. Louis Reville,
A STORY OF LEAP YEAR.
BY 10 MILLRR, JR.

A STORY OF LEAP YEAR.
BY 10 MILLRR, JR
Sam Smith sat at home on New YEARS.
day, in dishabille. His beard was unsbaved.
his hair was uncombed, his boots were nm
blacked, and he was leaning back in pic,ur-
Iesque attitude, with heels against the mantle
piece, smoking cigar. Sam thought 10 HIM
self that it was leap year, and how glorious
it would be if the ladies could only be in
duced to pop the question, in accordance
with their ancient privileges. As he sat
watching the smoke which so gracefully
curled, his fancy glowed with the idea
How delightful it would be to have the dear
creatures fondling on him, and with tender
glances endeavoring to do the agreeable !
As he medi,a,ed his heart softened, and he
began to feel a squeamish, womanish sensi-
blllly dIffuse itself over his feelings, and he
would faint with propriety the first lime a
young lady should squeeze his hand
'Rap, rap, rap,' sounded at the door,
Sam peeped through the venilian blinds
Mercy exclaimed he, if there isn't Miss
Jones, and all in dishablle and looking
like fright-goodness gracious! must
60 right away, and fix myself up
As he left the room Miss Jones entered
and with composed air, ntimated that she
would wait. Miss Susan Jones was firm
believer in woman's rights, and now that
the season was propitious, she determined
to take advantage thereof, and do lille
courtlng on her own hook II was one of
woman's privileges, which had been usuped
by the tyrant, man, and she was determined
to assert her rights, in spite of the hollow
formalities Of false system of society.
Meanwhile, with palpita.ing heart, Sam
Smith went thorugh series of personal "a
dornments. The last twist was given to bis
collar, the last curl to his whiskers, and with
white cambric in hand, he descended to the
parlor. Miss Jones rushed TO receive him,
and, grasping his hand with fervor, said,
Dearest, how beautiful you look,' accom-
panying her words with glance of undis-
guished admiration.
Spare the bushes OF modest young
man. said Sam, applying his cambric TO his
face to hide his confusion.
NAY. my love, why so coy p said Susan;
turn not away those lovely eyes, dark as
the jet, but sparkling as the diamond Lis
to the vows of fond affection. Here US rest
drawing him to a sofa; 'here with my
arm around thee will protest my true al-
feclion.'
Leave me, oh, leave me- murmured Sam:
think of my youth, my inexperence-spar
oh spare my palpi,ating heart
Leave thee,' said Susan. pressing him
closer to her 'neyer, until the story of rest
less nights, of unquet days, of aspirations,
fond emotions, and undying love, is laid be-
fore thee. Know that for years have nurse'l
for thee secret passion. Need tell how
each manly beauty moved me; how wor-
shipped like sun-fower in the lurid light
of those scarlet tresses; how my fond heart
was entrapped in the meshes of these mag
nifcent whiskers; how was willing to
yield up to the government! oflhat 'imperial;'
thy manners, so modest, so delicate, enchan-
ed me-jjoy to me-lor thy JOY was my
joy. My heart was ,hine-lake it-bu.
first let me snatch one kiss from those ruby
lips
The over-wrought feelings of the delicate
youth were too strong, and he tainted from
excess ofjoy. Meantime, the enamored mai
den hung fondIy over him,-and-
Slowly the eyes of Samuel Smith opened
he gazed wildly round him-,ten meeting
the ardent gaze of his 'Iovyer,' he blushed
deeply, and behind his handkerchief family
fallered out-".4sk my pa"