Democratic banner., 1848-05-01
TER MS:
A LEAP YEAR STORY.
BY JOE MILLER, JR.

Sam Smith sat at home, on New Years
day. in disllabille. His beard was unshav-
ed, his hair u~ncombed, his boots were I'M
BACKED, and he was leaning back in a pic
turesque attitude, with his heels against the
m~antlepiece, smoking cigar. Sam thought
10 himself that it was Leap Year, and how
glorious it would be if the ladies' could only
be induced TO pop the question, in accord
ance with their ancient privileges. As he
sat watching the smoke which so graceful
" 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 meditated, his heart Softened, and he
began-to feel ~squeamish, womanish sensl-
biIity diffusc itself over his feelings, and
thought he would faint with propriety the
first time a young lady should squeeze his
hand.
crap, rap, rap" sounded at the door
Sam peeped through the Venitian blinds.
"Mercy," exclaimed he, "if here isn't Miss
Jones, and / all in ~dishable, and looking
like a fright-goodness gracious! I must
60, right away, and fix myself up"
As he left the room, Miss Jones entered,
and with a composed air intimated that she
would wait. Miss Susan Jones was a firm
believer in woman's rights, and now that
the season was propitious, she determined
to take advantage thereof and do a little
counting on her own hook. 1t was one of
woman S privileges, which had been us'rp-
ed bv the tyrant, man, and she was deter
mined to assert her rights, in spite of the
hollow formalities of a false system of So
ciety.
Meanwhile, with a palpitating heart, Sam
Smith went through a series of per:onal
~adernments. The last twist was given to
? his collar, the last twirl to his whiskcrs, and
with white cambria in hand, lie descended
to the parlor, Miss Jones rusl ed 10 receive
liur, and graspirg his hand with fervo' said
"Dearest, how beautiful you look &C.
companying her words with a glanceof un-
disguized admiration.
"Spsre the bushes of a modest young
man." said Sam, applying his camlric to
his face to hide his confusion.
"Nay, my love, why SO coy!?" sad Su-
san; "turn not away those lovely eye', dark
as the JET but sparkling as the diamnd.-
Listen to the vows of fond affection. Here
let US rest" said she, drawing him t. a sofai
t'here, with my arm round thee, viii pro.
test my true affection"
"Leave me, oh, leave me-" marmured
Sam; "think of my youth, my ineNerience
spare, oh spare, my palpitating ~Eeart."
"Leave thee," said Susan, pressing him
closer to her; ~"never, until 1.-THE story of
restless nights, of unquiet days, q aspira-
tons, fond emotions, and u~ndyinglove, is
laid before thee. Know that for yeas, ]
have nursed for thee a secret passion. Need
tell how each manly beauty moved me;
how worshipped like a sunflowe, in the
iurid light of these scarlet tresses;how my
fond heart was entrapped in the reshes of
those magnificent whiskers; how I vas will
ing to yield up to the government of that
'impsrial;' thy manners, so modest so deli.
cate, enchanted me-joy to me-for thy
joy was my joy. My heart is thne-take
it-but first let me snatch one kiss from
those ruby lips"
The overweight feelings of he delicate
youth were too strong, and he ainted from
excess Of joy. Meanwhile TIE enamored
maiden hung fondly over him, and
Slowly the eyes of Samuel Smith open
sd-he gazed wildly round hi4-then meet
ing the ardent gaze of his ~"lo'er,' he blush
ed deeply, and behind his 'kerchief, he
family faltered out, "AsK MYsA."-ReviNe