The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-02-18
Mlistfllanrous.
A Story Of Leap Year.
by JOE MILLER, JR.

| lnls is Leap ear, an era remarka-
BILE in the cycle of Time. for the privile-
ges it confers upon the fair sex.
In order that the gentlest portion of
our readers may know how TO do up the
business of courting, in their own right,
we transfer from the columns of the Re.
veille the following:l
Sam. Smith sat at home, on New Years
day, in dishabille. His beard was un.
shaved, his hair was uncomed, his boots
were unblacked, and he was leaning
back in a picturesque attitude, with his
heels against the mantle-piece, smoking
a cigar. Sam thought to himself that Il
was leap year, and how glorious it would
be if the ladies could only be induced 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 Gre eatures fondling him, and with
tender glances endeavorng to do the a.
greeable! AS he meditated his heart
softened, and he began to feel squeamish,
womanish sensiblity diffused itself over
his feelings, and he thought he would faint
with propriety the first time young lady
should squeeze his hand.
"Rap, rap, rap" sounded'at the door.
Sam peeped through the venitian blinds.
Mercy" exclaimed he, "if here isn't
Miss Jones, and l all in dishabille, and
looking like a fright-goodness gracious!
must go, right away, and fix myselfup.'
AS he left the room Miss Jones enter
ed, and with a composed air intimated
that she would wait. Miss Susan Jones
was firm believer in woman's rights,
and now that the season was propitous,
she determined to take advantages there.
of, and do little courting on her own
hook. twas one of woman'S privileges,
which had been usurped by the tyrant,
man, and she was determined to assert
her rights, in spite of the hollow formal,
ties of false system Of society.
Meanwhile, with a palpitaling heart,
sam Smith went through series of per
sona adornments. The asttwist was civ.
Ell to his collar, the last curl to his whis-
kers, and, with white cambric in hand,
he descend to the parlor. Miss Jones
rushed to receive him, and grasping his
hand with fervor, said: Dearest, how
beautiful you look" accompanying her
words with glance ofundisguised admi,
ration.
"Spare the bushes of modest young
man." said Sam, applying his cambria to
his face to hide his confusion.
"Nay, my love, why so coy?" said Su-
san; turn not away those lovely eyes.
dark as the jet, but sparkling as the d.
amond. Listen to the vows of fond af-
fecton. Here let us rest" said she,
drawing him to a sofa, "here, with my
arm around thee, will [ protest my true
affection"
leave me, oh, leave me-" murmured
Sam; think of my youth, my inexperi-
ence-spare' oh spare, my palpitating
heart"
"Leave thee" said Susan. pressing
him closer to herr "never, until the story
of restless nights, of unquiet days, of as
pirations, fond emotions, and undying
love, is laid before thee. Know that for
years have nursed for thee a secret
passion. Need | tell how each manly
beauty moved me; how worshipped like
a sun-hower in the lurid light of those
scarlet tresses; how my fond heart was
entrapped in the meshes OF those mag
nifcent whiskers; how l was willing to
yield up to the government of that "im
peral;" thy manners, so modest, so deli
cate, enchanted me-for their 10y was
my joy My heart is thine-take it.
take t--but FIRST let me snatch one kiss
from those ruby lips.
The overwrought feelings of the del
icate youth were too strong, and he fain.
ted from excess of joy. Meanwhile the
enamored maiden hung fondly over him
and
Slowly the eyes of Samuel Smith open
ed-he gazed wildly round him-ther
meeting the ardent gaze of his "lovysr,'
he blushed deeply, and behind his ker
chief family faltered out--"Ask my pa