The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-08-20
THE DECLARATION.
BY DICKENS.


to declare my passion to Dora, aud know my
fate. Happiness or misery was now the CUES
there was no other question that knew OF in
the world, and only Dora could give the an.
swer to it. passed three days in luxury of
wretchedness, torturing myself by putting every
conceivable variety of discouragiug construc-
ton on all that had ever taken place between
Dora and me- At last arrayed for the purpose
at vast expense, went to Miss Mills fraught
with declaration.
How many times went up and down the
street, and round the square-painfully aware
of being much better answer to the riddle than
the original one; before could:persuade my
self to 20 up the steps and knock, is no mat
ter now. Even when at last, had knocked,
and was waiting at the door, had some fur
ried thought of asking if that were Mr.. Black
boys lin imitation of poor Barkis) begging
pardon and retreating. But | kept my ground.
Mr.. Mills was not at home. did not ex-
pect he would be. Nobody wanted him, Miss
Mills was at home. Miss Mills would do.
was shown into room up stairs, where
Miss Mills and Dora were. Jip was there
Miss Mills was copying music, II recollect, it
was new song called Affections Dirge) and
Dora was painting flowers. What were my
feelings, when resecognized my own flowers;
the Identical Convent Garden purchase! |
cannot say that they were very like or that
they particularly resembled any flowers that
have ever come under my observation; but l
knew from the paper round them, which was
accurately copied, what the composition was.
Miss Mills was very sorry Papa was not at
home though thought we all bore that with
fortitude. Miss Mills was conversational for
few minutes, and then, laying down her pen
upon the Affections Dirge, got up and left the
room.
But thought / would put it off another
day.
Il hope your poor horse was not tired, when
he got home at night said Dora, lifting up her
beautiful eyes. 1t was long way for him.
began to think would do it to-day.
1T was long way for him. said |, for he
he had nothing to uphold him on the journey
Wasn't he fed, poor tbingp asked Dora.
began to think would put it off till to-mor
row.
Yes yes, said, 'he was well taken care of.
mean that he had not the uuutterable happi.
ness that had in being SO near you
Dora bent her head over her drawing, and
said, after while; [ had sat, 10 the interval, in
burning fever, and with my legs in very
rigid state
you didn't seem to he sensible of that hap
piucss yourself, at one time of the day.
saw now that was in for it, and it must be
done on the spot.
You didn't care for that happiness in the
least said Dora, slightly raising her eyebrows,
and shaking her head, when you were sitting
beside Miss Kilt
Kit, should observe, was the name of the
creature in pink, with the little eyes.
Though certainly don't know why you
should, said Dora, 'or why you should call ita
happiness at all. But of course you don't mean
what you say. And lam sure no one doubts
your being at liberty to do whatever you like.
Jip, you naughty boy, come here!
don't know how did it. | did it in mo-
ment. intercepted Jip. | had Dora in my
arms. was full of eloquence. | never stopped
for word told her how loved her. l told
her should die without her. | told her idol.
lied aud worshiped her. Jip barked madly all
the time.
When Dora hung her head down aud cried,
and tremhled, my eloquence Increased so much
the more If she would like ne TO die for her,
she but had to say the word, and | was ready.
Life without Dora's love was not Il thing to
have on any terms. | couldn't bear it, and
wouldn't [ had loved her every minute, day
and night, since first saw her. loved her at
that minute to distraction. should always
love her, every minute to distraction. Lovers
had loved before, and lovers would love again;
but no lover had ever loved, might, could,
would or should love, as loved Dora. The
more raved, the more Jip barked Each OF
US, in his own way, got more mad every mo-
ment.
Well, we'll Dora and | were sitting on the
sofa by-aud-by, quiet enough, and Jip was ly-
ing in her lap, winking peacefully at me. 1t
was off my mind was in Il state ofperfect
rapture, Dora and were engaged.
Dapid Cop.
THE POETRY MACHINE.
"More copy, Sir" o.
ooh ye-ye.yes; Oh! what did you say'"
&c Mara cnnu cir "