The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-09-06
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Why he did MT Propose.
BY TIM SLY.

"Why did you never think of mar
rioge 2" asked l Of my friend Lyman
Robbins, who is some ten years older
than myself, and confirmed bachelor
81 have thought of it," sald he.
"Well. why didn't you marry, then o.
81 will tell you. You know Frank
Palmer. don't you ?"
Yes he failed last week to the
tune of twenty thousand dollars. But
what has that to do with your story ?"
Something, as you will see. | was
never seriously tempted to make pro
posal but once and that was to Franks
wife-bcfore she was married you un-
derstand."
Oh ~ said I. growing interested.
And why didn't you ?"
You shall know. | was young and
romantic at the time-shc beautiful and
accomplished. We were thrown much
together in society and ! was just then
of an age to yield to her destinations -
Though | had never expressed my love
in words, suppose my looks betrayed
me, and | am quite sure that she was
aware of my feelings towards her. Our
families being somewhat intimate, we
were on the same footing. and she treated
me in much the same confidential man.
ner as she would favoritc cousin.
Do you think" inquired that she
was in love with you ?"
No" said he Il never thought that
| presume, however, she would like to
have lured he on to declaration, ard
then would have acted as fancy dictated.
One day when ] had made morning
call and was about retiring, she told me
that she was going out shopping, and
laughingly proposed to me to go with
her, and carry tie bundles. Having
nothing Of importance to take up my
time, and not being averse to the propo.
sal, partly on account Of its novelty, and
considerably l rather suspect, on ac-
count of the agreeable character of ;he
company | should have, | consented in
the same spirit, and in a few minutes we
were fairly en- route"
IL have but little to buy,n said my
companion. You may congratulate
yourself upon that, as you will have the
less to carry"
We made our first visit a, a drygoods
establishment.
"Have you any lace collars?" inquired
Caroline. A large quantity were dis
played, but they were only five dollars
in price, and they were too cheap. A
length one was found at seven dollars
with which, being declared to be the bes
in the store. my companion al length pro
fessed herself satisfied, and decided t
take it.
=" suppose" said She on going out
"that | don't really need it, but it wal
SO beautiful could not resist the temp
tation."
a beautiful shawl at the door of
: store next caught Caroline's attention
" must certainly 60 in and look at thei
shawls," said she. 1 never saw an,
precisely like them"
New kind" said the clerk. "Yes
Miss, just imported from France, wal
ranted to surpass in fiueuess of textur
and durability any now extant. VII
you have one ?"
8" The price ?"
that" :
Caroline was startled at this ar
nouncement. THAT is high said she
" Not for the quality. Just feel of il
sec how soft it is, and you will not call
expensive"
J 81 did not think of getting one to-day
!, however, l think | must. You ma
. charge it to my father"
The shawl was folded, enveloped an,
, , handed to me by the clerk.
" | suppose papa will scold," said Cal
, oline but it's such beauty"
We reached, ere long, another dry
goods store; the placard over which, ,''sel
ing off at cost" proved so seductive tina
4 We at once stayed our steps and entered
t. Caroline rushed to examine the silk
! the first specimens offered, which to m
Impractical eye seemed of superiC
II quality were cast contemptuously asid
S and she desired to see the very best the
had in the store. Some were shown he
at two dollars and half per yard. A
ter while, she ordered twelve yards
be cut off for her, This was done, an
p the bundle handed to me. The bill,
c course, sent her father.
What with the shawl and silk, each
: which made bundle of no inconsder
- BILE size, 1 was pretty we'll weighed dow
= and began to be apprchensive of the co
Il sequences in case my companion shou
make many more purchases She, ho'
ever, relieved my anxiety by saying th
l. she intended to purchase nothing nor
10 She was only goiug to stop at jewe