Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-04-05

Il toOe OieNaeeu aoOuI mtuWdy petWeen Lhe cclilng
and the floor, engaged in jovial conversation with
a friend, whose position is nearly as easy, and
whose laugh is ever "ready chorus to the jokes
and repartees of our friend. As we look at him
our mind involuntarily reyerts back to the time
when he and William roomed together, when he
} was wild, reckless young man; when the social
circles were enlivened by his presence, and the
quiet citizens of old Chillicothe often disturbed in
their equanimity by pranks Of unknown origin or
execution.
He was light-hearted, and there was nothing
malicious in his composition. / conversation he
was free and easy, and at times even noisy; total
ly different from bis friend but this very difference
Of disposition made them better and frmer friends.
At that time, he was studying law, so that atthe
same time we introduced to the reader lawyer
and another bachelor His efforts at the bar had
been crowned with success, so that he labored un-
der no apprehension of a rainy day, or penniess
old age, and was enjoying himself as bachelors
alone can.
As our friend William has finished his destruc-
tion Of the good things set before him, we will
hear the rest of his story from his own lips. The
two lit their cigars, (and we would here remark,
that the use of tobacco appears to be one Of the
fallings of either profession) and departed for the
neat ond commodious Office Of Mr.. Albey. If
there should appear to the reader to be an incon-
sstency in using the term neat, in connection
with law office, we beg leave to remind them
that its occupant was bachelor. A few moments
walk brought them to the Office, over the door of
which the passer by might see, in guided capitals
those fearful words, "James Abby, Attorney at
Law"
After replenishing the fire and giving it few
thrusts, our friends "planted" themselves to suit
tastes, and entered upon an explanation as t. the
reasons why the whereabouts of either was to the
other unknown, which having no particular hear
ing on the object Of our story, we will omit, and
detail the conversation which Immediately follow
ed: ....., . .-.
Fl do not know, James, whether it would be out
of place to inquire after your family or not. How
is it," ....-.
"Out of place, decidedly, for am bachelor
in every sense of the word, an old bachelor as
we'll as an A. b.
"Ah! how does that happen! When left
thought, from what you told me, and from general
report, that union between you and Miss How
ard was settled beyond the happening of con-
tingency, or fate even.' ....
81 know that was the general report and, for
once, the facts warranted it. AS you are aware
that expended all my means in acquiring my ed
ucation and profession. it would be useless for me
to tell you that was averse to trying any matri-
monial experiments before became settled and
had secured sufficient amount of business to OBJ
tain at least respectable livelihood. So ram
bed around, and at last located here, where l have
been ever since. At first we maintained brisk
correspondence, but it cooled down gradually, and
! finally ceased. At length concluded to go down
and compromise matters by offering a speedy f.
naity and give her pleasant surprise. I accor-
! dinghy went down, but the, surprise on the
other hand. 1t was late when I arrived, and as
soon as could get something to eat, went over,
| rang he bell, and Mary herself opened the door.
Good evening, Mary said |, offering my hand
Good evening, Mr.. Abby, said she, extending two
fingers, and giving my hand little nervous twitch,
style, and very politely showed me into the sitting
room. My reception was decidedly cool, that
! l was taken completely pback, and was equal
ly cool and studied, which prevented an approach
on either side Things progressed in this man.
ner but short time before another visitor was
ushered in-a little squint-eyed dandy, to whom
welcome was vouchedsafe, that ought to have
satisfied the most fastidous even of the Society of
Friends, and turning round she says, 'Dr. Soft,
Mr.. Abby; an old acquaintance who formerly re-
sided here l took his profered hand with an i'll
grace then sat few moments, arose and express
ed regret that was under the necessity of leav-
: ing SO soon. aa. w ha-.-
"You are not going to leave now, are you!" said
she, in a tone of disappointment, which almost
:. caused me to relent 4ai~.t
j 81 said something about pressing business,
, (Which, by the way, have found very conve-
J nient excuse upon other occasions.) and left. |
went down to Uncle John s, as we used to call
him, where met Frank Holland, who told me
that my precious friends the opposite side of the
way, had been trying to poison her mind ever since
. went off; that they had never forgiven me for
tying that goose into the carriage of that little up
start Joe of theirs, the night he made his debut in
the polite circles, but had been continually telling
& her that was a Wild rattle-headed, low-lived,
good for nothing fellow and that sooner or later
would come to the Penitentiary, poor house, gut
ter. other desirable place; and had at last
succeeded in getting her to receive the attentions
j, of that miserable little doctor This was enough
for me, in the state of mind was then in. left
: the next morning, as soon as conveniently could
8 and have never been in that town SINCE"
j, "It seems to me, James, that you acted rather
r. hastily or else it does not argue well in your ia