Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-03-04
Singular Mode OF courtship.

The Rev. DIR. L---n an eminent Scotch
divine, and professor of theology was remark
able for absence of mind and Indifference to
worldly affairs. His mind, wrapped up in
lofty contemplations, could seldom stoop to the
ordinary business of life; and when at any
time he did attend to secular affairs he gener-
ally went about them in way unlike anybody
else, as the history of his courtship will show
He was greatly beloved by his elders and con-
gregation; was full of simplicity and sincerity,
and entirely unacquainted with the etiquette
OF the world. Living the solitary, comfortless
life OF bachelor his elders gave him frequent
hints that his domestic happiness would be
much increased by his taking to himself a wife,
and pointed out several young ladies in his con-
gregation, any one of whom might be fit
match or companion for him.
The elders, finding all the hints had no effect
in rousing the Doctor to the using of the means
preliminary to entering into a matrimonial
alliance, at last concluded to wait upon him,
and stir him up to the performance of his duty
They urged on him the advantages of mar
riage, its happiness; spoke Of it as divine in
stitution, and as affording all the enjoyments
of sense and reason; and, in short, all the
sweets of domestic life. The Doctor approved
of all they said, and apologized for his past
neglect OF duty, on account of many difficult
passages of Scripture he had of late been at
tending to, and promised to look after it "the
first convenient season. Thee elders, however
were not to be put off any longer; they insisted
on the Doctor at once making use of the means
and exacted from him promise, that on Mon
day afternoon he would straightway visit the
house of a widow lady, few doors from him,
who had three pretty daughters, and who were
the most respectable in the Doctors congrega-
tion. To solve any difficult passage in the book
of Genesis, to reconcile apparent discrepancies,
or clear up knotty text, would have been an
easy and agreeable task to the Doctor COM
pared with storming the widows premises.
But to the opening of the siege the Doctor must
go, and, with great gravity and simplicity,
gentle reader, you can imagine you see him
commencing the work.
After the usual salutations were over, he said
"My session have of late been advising me
to take wife, and recommended me to call
upon you; and as you have three fine daugh.
ters, would like to say word to the eldest,
ifeyou have no objections"
Miss W-n entered, and the Doctor, with
his characteristic simplicity said to her:
"My session have been advising me to take
wife, and recommended me to call upon
you"
The young lady, who had seen some thirty
summers, was not to be caught so easily. She
laughed heartily at the Doctors abruptness
limiting to him that in making sermon it was
necessary to say something first to introduce
the subject properly, before he entered fully
upon it; and as for her part, she was deter
mined not to surrender her liberty at a mo-
menes warning; "the honor of her sex was
concerned IN her standing out"
This was all waste of time to the Doctor,
and he requested to see her sister
Miss E. W--n then entered; and, to save
time, the Doctor said:
"My session have been advising me to take
a wife, and have been speaking to your sister
who has just gone out at the door; and as she
is not inclined that way, what would you think
of being Mrs. L-n?h
ooh, Doctor, don't know; it is rather
serious question Marriage, you know, binds
one for life. and it should not be rashly entered
into. | would not consent, without taking time
to deliberate upon it."
"My time" said the Doctor, dis 80 much
occupied, and my session have said so much
to me on the business, that I must finish it to-
day, if can. So you had best tell your mother
to send in your youngest sister to speak to
me-"
In q moment comes the honest, lively Miss
Mary W-n.
"Come away, my child; it is getting on in
the afternoon, and must get home to my
studies. have been speaking to both of your
sisters on little business and they have de-
clined. | am man of few words; and, with
out misspending precious time, what would you
think of being made Mrs. IMP.
Indeed, | always thought deal of you,
Doctor; and if my mother does not say any
thing against it, have no objections"
The Doctor left Miss Mary in few minutes,
enoning her to fix the day, for any would suit
him, but to send him up word the day before.
The Doctor was scarcely gone, before keen
dispute arose in the family among the three
young ladies, all claiming the Doctor. The
eldest one said the offer was first made to her,
and she did not positively refuse The second
declared that she wished only little time to
think upon it; and the youngest insisted that
it was completely settled with her The mother
of the young ladies was in such difficulty with
her daughters, that she was obliged to call
upon the Doctor himself to settle the dispute.
She called, and the Reverend Doctor in his
characteristic way, said:
my dear Mrs. WI, | am very fond Of
peace in families; it is all the same thing to
me, which of them; and just settle it among
yourselves and send me up word
The Doctor was married to the youngest,
and one of his sons is at this day respectable
clergyman Z" in the land of the mountain and
the flood
The Maine Law.
Somebody has quoted the following from the
first chapter of Joel, fourth verse Awake, ye
druukards, and weep; and howl, oil ye drinkers
of wine because of the new wine: for it is cut
off from your mouth.
Rsig" 1t is stated that bill is before the New
La rrhi a. .n.l =.