Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1854-11-28
S E l. E G VI E 10 IT TAnD.
WHY HE DID MT PROPOSE.

IHyscIl anO cOnHrmcd bachelor.
81 have thought Of IT," said he.
"Well, why don't you marry then 7"
81 will tell you. You know Frank
Palmer, don't you 7"
"Ycs. He failed in business 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
wfc--before she was married, you un.
derstand 7"
"Oh," said !, growing interested, "and
why didn't you 2"
"You shall know. was young and
romantic at the time--she, beautiful and
accomplished. We were thrown much
together in society, and |, was just at an
age to yield 10 her destinations. Though
[ had never expressed my love in words,
yet 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 manner as she would a
IdVOTltc cousin.
"Do you think she was in love with
you ?" | inquired.
"No," said he, 81 never thought that.
presume, however, that she would like
to lure me on to declaration, and then
would have acled as fancy Dictated
One day when | had made morning
call, and was about retiring, she told me
that she was going out shopping, and
laus shinsly proposed to mo to go with
her, and carry the bundles. Having
nothing Of importance to take up my
mini, and not being averse 10 the propo.
sal. partly on account Of its novelty,
and considerably, suspect, on account
of the agreeable company should have,
| consented in the same spirit, and in "a
few minutes, We were fairl y en- route.
81 have bu, lit,Ie to buy" said my
companion. "You may congratulate
yourself on that, as you will have the
less to carry"
We made our first visit to a dry goods
establishment.
'Have you any lace collars?' inquired
Caroline. A large quantity was dis
played, but they were too cheap Al
length one was found at seven dollars
which, being declared tho best in the
store, my companion at length prolessed
herself satisfied, AMI decided to buy it.
81 suppose" said she, on going out,
'lhat don't really noe it, but then il
was so beautiful that could no, resist
the temptation"
A beautiful shawl at the door of q
store next caught the attention of Car
oline.
"I must certainly go in and look al
their shawls," said she, "[ never saw any
precisely like them"
"New kini," said the clerk. ayes
Miss, just imported from France, an,
warranted to surpass in fneness Of tex
.ture and durability any now extant.--
. Will you have one p" "The price p
"Sevcnty.iive dollars, cheap al that.
Caroline WIS startled at this announce
mcnt. "Ihat is high" she said
: "Nol for the quality. just feel Ct it
and see how soft it is, and you will no
, call ii expensive"
"l did not think Of getting one to
day, however, think ! must. You ma,
charge it 10 my father"
The shawl was folded, envcloped, ant
= handed to me by the clerk.
81 suppose papa will scold," said Car
oline, "but it's such beauty"
We reached, ere long. another DIR,
! goods store, the placard over which, 'Sel
a ling out at cost proved too seductive
and we at once stopped our steps, ano
q entered. Caroline rushed to examine
n ilks the first specimens offered, which
! eemcl 10 an unpractced eye Of superi
. OF quality, were cast contemporary y a
= side, and she desired TO see the very bes
in the store. Some were shown her IA
two dollars and half yard. After
= while she ordered twelve yards to be Gu
i off for her. This was done, and the bun
g die handed TO me. The bill. Of course
. sent 10 the father.
), What with the shawl and silk, each O
- which made bundle of no inconsider
:. able size, was pretty we'll weighe'
h down, and began to be apprehensive @
p r. the consequences in case my compan
J.. ion should make any more purchases
:. She, however, relieved my anxiety b.
&c saying that she intended to purchase no
- thing more. She was only going 10 sto
at jewellers TO have locket repaired
Accordingly we repaired to the store Z
o fashionable jeweller. The locket wa
n handed over with the necessary drec
e tions. But that was not all. A lady a
,r| the COULTER was examining very cost
5. pair Of earrings which she was desirou
Of purchasing, but demurred at the price
!. At last she laid them down reluctantly
I. saying: "They are beautiful, but d
n not care to 60 as high as twenty-five dol
4 lars for them"
d "Let me see them, if you please" sai
!. Caroline. They we're handed to her,
She was charmed with them, chiefly as
imagine on account of the price, for the
. had little beyond that to recommen
70 them. "Now | must absolutely 60 home
d without purchasing anything more"
nd For once, she kept her word, and
4 was released from my attendance. Br
- the thought tina: she had expended on
u hundred and thirty.fve dollars in a sir
~ gle mornings shopping, and that on oh