Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-09-30
How / lost nv First Love,

was deep one., The lovely, euchan I
ing, peerless Amanda Louisa Smithers
had conquered my virgin affections, AM
made them the slaves of her will
was not ich in the worlds goods
my income was inconveniently limited
but | was rich in hope. Like MIR. Mi.
cav Der. felt confiden, that ''some thin,
would turn up" and in antici patton O
this something, | determined on the
first opportunity, TO propose 10 the Oh
ject Of my alteration, that she should
share with me in the enjoyment OF. my
expected good fortune. -
I The opportunity at length offered it.
self.
1t was cold, frosty evening. that
brushed my carefully preserved dress
coat, and particularly tight "unwhis
perables," and then gently busted my
hat with my own handkerchief.
then studied my appearance in the
cracked mirror, with considerable anxi-
ETY.. pulling up my vest collar, and
twitching my neck tie around in order
TO conceal the fact that wore that
much ridiculed article Of attire--a dick
ey.
1t must not be supposed that boast
ed Of only one shirt. Far from it.
The fact was, the laundress sni myself
having had some difficulty about the
payment OF some washing mopey--al-
legged to be her due-she had Tor the last
fortnight kept my other shirtas pledge
for future payment so was tain 10
hide the dubious hue Of my linen under
the aforesaid dickey.
ig At length was satisfied as 10 the in
tcgr.ty OF my breast-work; so, gently
stroking my moustache. purchased few
days previous at a hair dresser's, Istrut.
ted out TO meet my Amanda.
On that very night had determined
to '.do or die!" and the hapless swain who
has at length made up his mind to pop
the fatal question, can alone appreciate
the excessive nervousness frl; as APP
preached the appointed place Of meet
ing-her fathers garden door. '-
She was there awaiting me, and with
a sinking at my heart had never be
fore experienced, offered her my arm
As we sirolled al ong, cast about in my
mind Tor some means to IeclaTe my
love to her; but as often as the words
came to my mouth, "gulped' and swal,
lowed lLem, once or twice nearly stran
Cling myself with the attempt.
All last, just as had decided on post
poning it to some other time, she stop
ped abruptly aud asked me if | was i'll.
plucked up my remaining courage
Tor the allack. i
M, my dear Amanaa-I am~not
sick, thank ye." abruptly bfeaking down
in the speech had commenced masking,
and feeling all oyer very much as ii 4
was coniounded goose. 4 W
"You certainly must be SICK persis-
led Amanda. s fs;g
The fact ISL said with desperate
energy, "that I--l-I loce yoa."
| felt now as il was silil a goose,
but with the added sensation of roast
ing befo,e very hot fire. Finding that
she made no reply, determined 10 go
through it if lost my lie in the at.
tempt.
"Yes, my dearest Amanda Louisa--I
love you passiona,ely-deyotedly.
was abou, dropping on one knee, but a
reflection on the tightness OF my dress,
al that paint, deferred me. "Without
your blessed society should de-
Shall ] have the--can hope that--you
,OiH be naiae 2" ~
As with huge effort ], jerked forth
,he awful question. | felt as if l had
been plunged into an icy bath, and that
the cold liquid was running through me,
from the top Of my head to the toes OF
my boots. II was the decisive ''splurge"
OF my life-and it almost deprived me
OF my breath.
Amanda Louisa blushed. and leaned
rather heavily on my arm. Al length
she whispered that she would "see 10
morrow" estf
The ice being broken, my old boldness
returned, together with my Confidence
in the future. l ratified away where we
would get fr>t rate house speculated
on the adsisabiliIy of keeping carriage;
promised Amanda an intinitude OF
dresses and jewelry; consulted as to
the best place for tour during the
honeymoon, and, in fact, talked myseli
aud her into the belief that was man
Of property.
| had got SO far as to arrange who
should be present at,,he ceremony, and
what should wear, when--coniound
all icy paths and needless walking--l
suddenly found myself seated in the lap
of mother earth, and was as suddenly
conscious OF the actual contact Of a
sensitive portion Of my frame with the
frozen ground. Those tight pants!
sprung up and hastily entleavored TO
conceal my mishap by grasping my
scanty coat tails to keep them together.
| The fates were against me. In the sx-
prsssive language Of the multitude. ''i'
was no Co., ssna Is .stA1flsg ggai 14
a6The too sympathising Amanda insisted
oneit that was hurt, and then would
brush thedirt from my coat Ideclined
the offer. but she was resolute.
81 will take your pocket handkerchief
to brush the dirt off. You surely ought
not 70 wear il s.icking SO tar ought OF
your pocket; some day il will be
slolen." "ani'6 81 keh thsAe Eieaas
"0h ~ loudly exclai med. as felt a
!. twiich-"oh, DON'T" 80 8ipoa
lal dear me-" she remarked, as she
made another tug, edo you keep your
J, handkerchief pinned to your pocketF