Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1856-05-17
A Story Of Leap Year.
BY JOE. SMITH, JR.

Sam Smith sat at home, on New
Years day, in diShaOille. His beard
was unshayed, his hair was uEcou; bed,
his boots were unblacked, auf he was
leaning back in picturesque attitude,
with his heels against the. mantleplece,
smoking segar. Sam thought to him
self that this was leap year, and how
glorious it would be if the ladies could
be induced to pop the question, in accor
dance with their ancient privileges. As
he SIT and watched tbs smoke which so
gracefully curled, his fancy glowed with
the idea. How delightful it would be to
have the dear creatures fondIing on him,
and with tender glances endeavoring to
do the agreeable. As he meditated, bis
heart soitened, and he began to feel a
squeamish, womanish sensibittv ditfnse
itself over his feelings, and thought he
would faint with proprlety the first time
lady should squeeze his hand.
"ltap, rap, rap" sounded the door
Sam peeped through the Venitian blinds.
Mercy" exclaimed he, "and it there isn't
Miss Jones. and | all in dshabilie,#and
looking like fright, Goodness gra
cious must 60 right away and fix
myself"
! As he left the room. Miss Jones enter,
| ed and with composed air intimated that
she would wait. Miss Susan Jones was
frm believer in woman rights, and
now that the season was propitIOus she
determined to take the advantage there
OF, aud do little cou.ting on her own
hook. 1t was only woman's privilege,
which had been nsurped BY the tyrant,
and she was determined to assert her
rights in spite OF the hollow formanties
OF false system of society.
Meanwhile, with palpitating heart,
Sam Smith went throught a series Of
perxoual adornmeuts. The last twist
was given to his collar, the last curl 10
his whiskers, and, with white cambrc
! in hand, be descended to the parior.-
! Miss Jones rushed 10 receive him, and,
graspIng his hand with fervor, said
dearest, how beautiful you look, &C
compauying her words with a glYce Of
uudlsguised admiration.
Spare the bushes Of modest young
man." said Sam, appiying his cambric to
his face to hid his confusion.
Nay my love, why 50 coy2' said
Susan turn not away those lovely eyes
dark rs the jet, but sparkling as the dia'
mond. Listen to the vows of the fond,
est affection. Here let us rest" said she
drawing BIN 10 the sofa; there, witt
nv arm round thee, will | protest my
lue affection"
leave me, oh leave me- murmured
sam think Of my youth, my ineXpe-
1ence-spare, oh spare my paIplIat'ng
aeart.'
leave thee" said Susan, pressing him
tloser to her, never, until the story OF
hzstless nights, Of un}uiet days, asplra
tons, and undying love is laid before
t ee. Know that for years have nurs>
et for thee a secret passion. Need tell
h3w each manly beauty moved me; how
worsh,pped like sunfower in the lu-
RI light of those scarlet tresses: how
ny fond heart was entrapped IN the
neshes Of those magnificent wllskers !;
| hsw was willing to yield up to the
government Of that ''imperal :" thy man
nrs, SO modest, so delicate, enchanted
pe-were JOY to me-for thy JOY was
Ivy joy. My heart is thne-take it
bat first let me snatch one kiss from
,sose ruby lips"
The over wrought feelings of the deli
c@te youth were too strong, and he faint
t! from excess Of JOY. Meanwhile the
tarnored maiden hung fopdIy over him
ad-
Slowly the eyes of Samuel Smith
oreDed-he gazed wildly round him
tim meeting the ardent gaze OF ms
"Iover," he biushed deeply. and beh'nc
hi handkerchief family taitered out
"1sk my pa"
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