The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-11-17

young man who boarded at house in
the country, where were several coy damsels
who seemed to imagine that men are terrible
creatures whom it was an objectionable sin
to look at, was one forenoon accosted bv an
acquaintance, and asked what he thought of
the young ladies with whom he boarded
He replied that they were very shy and re-
served.
$50 they are" returned the other ss.ra
so much so that no gentleman could evar.
get near enough to tell the color of their
eyes"
"That may be-" said the boarder QUICKLY
"but will stake a million that I can LIZ,
them all three" ''
"That you cannot do, cried his friend. cit
is an achievement which neither You or anv
other man can accomplish"
The other was positive, and invited his
friend to the house to witness his triumnb
They entered the room together, and the
three girls were all at home sitting beside
their mother, and all looked as prim and de-
mure as John Rodgers at the stake.
Our hero resumed very grave ASPECT.
even to detection, and having looked wistful-
~ at the clock, breathed sigh as deep az
Algebra, and as long as female dialooue at
street door.
Ills singular department now attracted the
attention OF the girls, who cast their slow
opening eyes upward to their countenance,
Percelvlng the impression he had made he
turned to his companion and said, in a dole
full voice:
ut wants three minutes of the time -
do you speak of dinner?" said the old
lady, laying down her sewing work.
"Dinner % said he, with bewildered as
pect, and pointing, as if unconsciously, with
curied fore-finger at the clock
A silence ensued, during which time the
female portion of the household glared at the
young man with irresistible curiosity.
you will see me decently inferred" he
said, turning to his friend.
His friend was as much puzzled as any one
present. and his embarrassment added to the
intended effect; but the old lady, being no
longer able to contain herself, cried
"Mr. C, pray what do you speak of?''
"Nothing," answered he, in lugubrious
tone, "but that last night spirit appeared to
me % Here the girls rose to their feet and
drew near. "And the spirit gave warning
that should die exactly at II O'Clock to-
day, and you see it wants but half a minute
of the time %
The girls turned pale, their hidden SYM
pathies were at once awakened for the DOOM;
ed and departed one. They stood chained
to the spot, looking alternately at the clock
and the unfortunate youth; he then walked
up to the Oldest of the girls, and taking her
by the hand, babe her a solemn farewell He
also imprinted kiss upon her trembling lips,
which she did not attempt to resist He then
bid the second and third farewell in the
same manner. His object was achieved, and
that moment the clock struck twelve. Here
upon he looked around surprised, and ejacu-
lated:
"Who would have believed that an appa-
rition would tell us such lie /! 1t was prob
ably the ghost of Annanias or Sapphira."
1t was some time before the sober maidens
understood the joke, and when they did they
evinced no resentment. The first kiss broke
the ice, and thanks to the ghost, they dis
covered that there was some pleasure in a
bearded cheek.