Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-10-18
MISC ELLAE I
why He Didn't Propose.

..Why did you never think ofmarriage 2" ask
ed of my friend Lyman Robbins, who is some
ten wears older than myself, and confirmed bach
elor.
81 have thought of it," said he.
"Well. why didn't you marry then Z"
81 will tell YOU. You know Frank Pa'Iner
don't you Z"
"Yes; he failed last week to the tune oftwenty
,housand dollars. But what has that to do with
your story !''
Something, as you will see. was never Sc,
riousy tempted to make proposal but once, and
that was to Franks wife--betore she was mar
rod, do you understand"
"Oh!" said |, growing interested. "And why
didn't you 2''
"You shall know. was young and romantic
at the tme-she beautiful and accomplished
We were thrown much together in society, and
was Just then OF an age to yield to her ascnatlons
Though 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 manner as she would
i iavorlte cousin"
"Do you Think" inquired, "that she was in
love with you !'
NO" said he, 81 never thought that. | pre-
sume. however, she would like to have lured me
ON 10 declaration. and then would have acted as
fancy dictated. One day, when | had made a
morning call aud was about retiring, she told me
that she was going out shopping, and laughing
lv proposed to me to gu with her and carry the
bundles. Having nothing of Importance to take
up my time, and not being averSe to the proposal,
partly on account of its novelty, and considerably
| rather suspect, on account OF the agreeable char
acter of the company | should have, consented
in the same spirit, and in few minutes we were
fairly en- route"
ii have but little to buy" said my companion.
''You may congratulate yourself upon that, as you
will have the less to carry"
We made our first visit to dry goods estab-
lishment.
..Have you any lace collars?" inquired Caro-
line. A large quantity were displayed, bul they
were only five dollars in price, and they were too
cheap. At length one was found at seven dollars,
and which, benp declared the best in the store.
nv companion at length prolessed herselfsatsfied,
and decided to take it.
IL suppose" said she on going out, .sthat don't
really need it, but it was SO beautiful that could
not resist the temptation"
A beautiful shawl at the door of the next store
caught Caroline's attention. Il must certainly
go in and look at their shawls," said she. Il
never saw any precisely like them"
"New kind, ;" said the clerk. "Yes. miss, just
imported from France, warranted to surpasS IN
fnoness of texture and durability any now extant.
viii you have one?"
The price 2"
''Seventy FIVE dollars, and cheap at that"
Caroline was startled at this announcement
THAT is high" said she.
Not for the quality. Just feel OF it, see how
soft it is, and yuu will not call it expensive"
IL did not think of getting une to day howev-
er, | think must. You may charge 1t to my ia
ther'
The shawl was folded, enveloped and handed
To me by the clerk.
81 suppose papa will scold," said Caroline,
shut it's such beauty"
We reached, ere long, another dry goods store,
the placard over which, ''seing off at cJ5t," "
proved so seductive that we AT once stayed ouf
steps and entered. Caroline rushed To examine
silks; the first specimens offered which 20 my
unpracticed eye seemed ola superior quality. were
cast contenptuously aside, and she desired to see
the very best they had in the store. Some were
shown her at two dolars and ta' per yard.-
After while she ordered twelve ards to be cut
off for her. This was done. AM l!io bundle hand
ed 10 me. The BILL of course. sent Co .tf father.
What with the shawl and silk, each Of which
made bundle of no inconsiderable size, | was
pretty well weighed down. and began to be aP-
prehonsve of the consequence in ease my compan-
ion should make any more purchases. She, how
ever. relieved my anxiety, by saving that she IN
tended to purchase nothing more. She was only
going to stop at jewellers, t. have locket re-
paired. Accordingly we repaired to the store OF
a fashionable jeweler. The locket was handed
over with the necessary directions
But that was not all. A lady at the counter
was engaged in examining very costly pair OF
ear rings which she was desirous uI purchasing.
but demnrred at the price. at last she laid them
down Reluctantly, saying: "rhey are beautiful ;