Columbus Democrat., 1849-12-01
From the Flag Of our Unin-
How Mr.. BIinks was Taken In and
Done for.
BT THE CID TN.

Boston; well.to do in the world, and, as many
bachelors are, Of irreprOachabe morals, as all
bachelors are supposed 10 be, living snugy on
his income, and having apartments in fashion.
able hotel, fitted up in style, and kept with NEAT
ness and precision that showed how particular a
person their occupant must be. He hasked in
his single blessedneSs, like butterfly in ne
sunshine In truth, he passed the heyday youth
without losing his heart, and one ceases to lie
prodigal of his affections at middle age. When .
past thirty. five, little crust collects around the |
heart and prevents its undue expansion; while a |
thousand habits of living, and little INDUCED no.
tions becomes so many impcdments TO mans
freedom Of motion, and make up together sort
OF moral strait5acket.
Yet there were times when Blinks thought of
besowing on some fair damsel "his life, his for
tune, and his sacred honor" But the older ne
grew, the frmer he planted himself on some po.
sIllve proposition, come what might he would not
marry an old maid. Old maids were so set in
their ways--so fussy--so particular! Poor old
+ bacheor was thy charity beginning at home,
otthat domestic sort that never stirs abroad
Bu, at length it was whispered in certain ele
giant circles, reported on Washington street, and
intmated that Blinks was in love. At length It
came oui that Blinks was engaged. The lady was
named Miss Emma Bloomington, a charming
woman, very beautiful, very fashionable, and very
Z accomplished. But rumor in this case, as in many
others, had outrun truth Blinks was in love,
but not engaged. Still matters were very fast
tending 10 this happy cOnsummalon. -Four Ger
E man mIsicsns achieved serenade one moon
light evening,in Mount Vernon street, and anoh-
er evening very interesting teie a tete was obs
served by an opposite lady, who, having no low
er OF her own, was very inquisve with regard
to the sentimental affairs OF her neghbors.
The day afer this tete.a.tete, Mr.. Bnks was
shown into an elegant drawing room aud paid his
devotions to Miss Bloomington. He was man
ofbusiness, and aware that modern marriages
are not made in heaven. but on Change. He
spoke of his stocks, his Investments, his income;
hned at a prospective carriage, and sighed as
he depicted his torlorn condition.
Miss Emma'S smiles encouraged him TO pro-
coed. But Blinks was not man to be beguiled
by a pair of rosy lips disclosing pearly
teeth, though supported by the flying atil,
lcry OF pair of eyes as bright and as radiant
as stars.
'Miss Bloomington said he, 4 am plain, blunt
man, like Mark Anthony in Shakespeare's play
of Julius CRser- vide the Grafton Of that gentle.
man over the dead bDdy-anc | wish to ask you
one question:
Miss Bloomington bmshed.
i am forty years old gentleman at forty is
no older than Il lady at twenty-five, haze told
you my age-now pray how old are youl dare
not trust your face, and the answer is Of vital i'm
porlance
Really, Mr.. BIinks-'
4 know that women ana music should never
be dated, hut
You are a strange man, Mr.. Blnks, but Tm
sure have no objection 20 answer your question.
am jnst thirty tomorrow.
E Mr.. BIinks turned pale, deadly pale
and multered the omnous words, "Old Maid!'
But they were lost in the folds of his era
vat. lie was silent for a minute or two aud
then rose.
Miss Bloomington said he, 4 am compelled
to wish you good morning. merely called to
, inqure.-whether yoc caught cold in your
promenade last evening. am happy to find you
looking so well. Good morning.
And the gentleman bowed and retired. Per-
fdious Blinks
Fora long time he gave up society and seemed
to be low spirited But he did not lake prusic
acid, or walk 1.-THE end Of wharf, leaving full
confession in his hat, and so in few weeks was
"as well as could be expected. tiss Bloom.
ington shortly afterwards left Boston to reside in
At the South
Years rolled on--ten years. Blinks was now
4 bachelor of fifty, but in admirable preserva.
ton.
n He was on as good terms with his tailor and
himself as ever; INDUCED in an occasional call,
took private lessons in the polka, and patronized
the Italian opera.
The very last summer he was at Newport, and
so gay and brilliant that belle gave him the
soubriquet Of "Bachelor Butterfly" But this
belle was not the b.lle Of he Ocean House.
!, By no means The cynosure of all eyes the
!, reigning star OF the ball>room, the Cytherea Of
: the surf the Di Vernon Of riding parties, was a
! certain lovely widow, Mrs Caroline Dashwood
of Baltimore. BY this dark>eyed, spirited and
). glorious woman, Benjamin Binks was for sec
!, ond time fascinated. He was permitted to be
her partner in the waltz, her cavelier on horse-
: hack, her companion in the surf She renewed
his youth,his hopes, his epsodcal longings afer
!, matrimony. He proposed--he was accepted
;, he was happy. With BRIDE young, beautiful
and rich, Bnks was truly a moral to be en-
!. Wed.
+ In the mellow honey. moon, the welded lovers
: wandered out one evening on the Battery, for
q they were passing few days in New York, du.
= ring their bridal tour. The moonlight was spark.
!, ling on the crisp waves, and gliding the myriad
- sails of the bright bay the music of an Italian
band was rising from the magic ring Of Castle
: Garden, and the cool breeze came through the
" "rocky gateway ofthe Narrows."
, 'Blinks, dear said the lady, as she hung upon
her husbands arm 4 want to ask you ques.
: ton.
= = "A thousand, If you please, my dear
- ~ well, then, were you ever in love before you
- saw met
10 Blinks coughed, but after moments pause
: he answered boldly, 4 was indeed, once"