Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-03-18
V A R [ E T Y d.
Popping the Question.
A LEAP YEAR STORY !

But why don't you ge. married 2 said
bouncing girl, with laughing eye, 10 a
smooth-faced, innocent looking youth, who
blushed up to the eyes at the question.
well, T. said the youth, stopping
short with gasp, and fixing his eyes upon
vacancy with puzzled and foolish ex-
preston.
well, go on you what?' said the fair
cross-queslioner, almost imperceptibly in.
Ginning nearer TO the young man. Now
just tell me right strai ght out you wha, z?
Why, 10, pshaw, don't know!'
You do, say you do now, | want to
know
20, can't tell you
| say you can. Why, you know III
never mention it, and you may tell me, of
course, you know, for have MT always
been your friend 2
Well, you have, know replied the
bcleagured youth.
And Pm sure | always thought you
liked me- went on the maiden, in tender
and mellow accents.
%, do, upon my word-yes, indeed,
| do, Maria said the unsophisticated
youth, very warmly, and he found tina;
Maria had unconsciously placed her hand
in his open palm.
Then there was silence.
And then web = said Maria, drop
ping her eyes 10 the ground.
Eth O-welly' said John, dropping
bis eyes aad Maria's hand al the same
moment.
I'm pretty sure you love somebody,
John; in FACT said Maria, assuming
ngain a tone Of railiery,'l know you're in
love, and John, why don't you tell me all
about it at once 2
We'll, l.
well 1! o you silly mortal, what is
there to be afraid of 2
%, it amt because Pm afraid of any,
thing at all and Ill-well now, Maria,
will tell you
well now, John 2
-
'EhT
Il
Yes
lam in love-now don't tell; you won't,
will you!' SAID John, violently selling
Maria by the hand, and looking in her
face with most imploring expression.
, why, of course you know, John, I'll
never breathe word of it-you know
won't, don't you John!' This was spo>
ken in mellow whisper, and the cherry
lips of Maria were so near Johns ear
when she spoke, that, had he turned his
head 10 look at her, there might have oc-
Cured an exceedingly dangerous collis-
ion.
well, Maria, said John, 'I've told you
now, and so you shall know all about it.
have always thought great deal of you,
and
Yes, john -
i am sure you would do anything for
me that you could
Yes, John, you know would
We'll, though SO. and you don't know
how long I've wanted to talk to you about
Il declare, John, You might have
tolc me long ago if you wanted, for I'm
SUR sure l never was angry with you in my
mo, you wasn't; and | have often felt
great mind 10, but
It's not 100 late. now, you know, john
well, Maria, do you think i'm Too
young TO get married.
Indeed do not, John, and I know :,
would be good thing for you too. for ev-
erybody says the sooner young people are
married the better, when they are nrn>
dent, and inclined TO love one another
That's just what | think ); and now,
Maria, ! do want TO get married, and if
you'll .rrel
Indeed will, John, for you know
was always partial to you. and I've said
50 often behind your.back.' o. ,oF
We'll, | declare, Eve all along though,
you might object, and that's the reason
Eve been always afraid To ask YOU
Object no, I'd die first you may ask
Of me just anything you please
And you'll grant it !'o1.rI 20
4 will : .aaas2o
Then, Maria, | want you to pop The
question for me 10 Mary Sullivan, for
.What!' ~ 49,
'Eh g sec. = .y-.f-crrr2
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