The American patriot., 1856-01-12
Why I Didn't Marry Her.


away. and we were laughing in our own room,
with our feet elevated on window bench
Rest way in the world Of sitting, that. Won
dar If ladies' never try it when no one is near
Guess they do We had smoked two cigars
ond commenced on third. There's something
strange in cigar it makes one cool in hot
reather. and warm in cold weather. And
there is great deal in enjoying it witha crony.
Tom was fast friend of mine and q fine fellow
yes fine fellow, there was something in
him. He was fond Of society and great ia
vorite among the ladies', and now as looked
over the dancing waves and mused-cigars pro-
mote reflection, they're real moral institution,
and that's why the clergy patronize them
suppose--as smoked and mused wondered
why he had never been caught in any Of the
nets spread for him. There was tall dark.
eyed beauty who made great impression on
his heart He had danced ard frted through
swhole New York season with her, and from
the way in which they both denied it, had
really believed them engaged. But Tom had
suddenly drawn eff, and left the young lady to
point her toes and curl her ringlcts for some
one else. had never known the reason for
this, and with my mind full Of these thoughts,
Isuddcnly turned to Tom, and asked him how
it was that he didn't marry Flora Goodman.
Tom made no reply, but threw open his
collar little more-Tom and had mounted
Byron collars since we came to Rockaway.-
There seemed no getting anything out Of him.
"Did the lady cut you Tom?"
thought this would rouse him. "No,'
was the emphatic response.
He then knocked off the ashes of the cigar,
saying. "And 50 you want to know why
didn't marry Miss Goodman"
Yes; thought papa had been spoken to,
and the bridal dresses ordered"
NO; | never had anything to do with Mr..
Goodman, further than to settle myself in his
chair when he left the parlor clear for me in the
evening. Flora generally set on an ottoman
long wasted people look better on ottomans,
you know"
"Well, you didn't tire Of long waists, did
you'll thought you admired everything about
Miss Flora"
80 | did, then; that's my reflection now
And she was very beautiful girl-a very fine
one In many respects"
"And she had the go about her, too-some-
thing very stylish. What sthc reason she didn't
suit you, Tom:'
"she did, in all but one thing"
"You We're very long finding that out,
then"
"lt was something saw, that let me into
the secret.
swell, out with it, or I'll duck you the very
hext time we 60 bathing"
You shall have the story. You may call
me foolish to take notice of such thing, but
I'm little peculiar sometimes waited on
Miss Goodman to a party. had ordered
magnificent boquet and talking to my washer
woman an extra half hour about the getting
up ofmy linen. Ihed got my moustache trim
med andgot new pair of patent leathers Ircal-
" looked well that night. Though l believe
there is no connection save the ALTERATION be-
tween sensblity and scrubbing brushes, even
"'e housc-mad gazed at me with q sort of
pathetic admiration, as came down stairs.
never saw Flora more enchanting, and
glanced around Mr.. Goodman's richly furnished
ufa"ing-rooms, thinking it would be quite COM
portable to walk in and hang ~ my hat there.
handed Miss Flora into the carriage as ten
'-V as passib'c She kept me waiting a
''' time in ihc 'r4ss.agToom;a thing abom-
49, butt was enough Of : lover then to be
luent asJoh tucked ne young lady un-
WI my arm, and deeeuled to the parlor. Joe,
you wish the old fashion would come
when the gentleman handed the lady at
length, by the tips of her extended fin
-'' There was an opportunity then for some
ay OF ones bringing up-a slow finished
.''fesy, and finished bow"
Well enough for you fellows that are so
'4a OF your fingers" said l, but some of us
'lad to get through the ceremony any
without displaying our awkward should
nd in-the way arms, and if I might hint
ae ladies' would not make it q very grace
i. eration#
n! IT it were the fashion it would be
'e4tas science-part of ones course at
77 ng school,"
Oh ara ve< u, lamar T>~. 4h.% xh,-. .,n