The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1857-10-22
BilIJenkins' Troubles

on THE FIRST NIGHT OF HIS MARRIAGES
The New York Spirit of the Time.
gives quite an amusing account of very
modest man on the frSt night of his mar
ragc Poor fellow! his sutferings must
have been severe. Who can read the mar
ration of them, without sympatllizing
deeply with Bill Jenkins in the distress
he experienced on that evcntful night
The Times commences by remarking
that Bill jenkins was very modest man,
and although he had mingled in the
world at barbacues, shooting matches,
bar-rooms, and at many of ct ce!era places
where men may occasionally be found
yet he was modest, very-whenever
placed in the company of ladies' He
tlembled when pretty girl would speak
to him, and felt like culprit at the stand
when he was called upon to 'see Miss So
and-so home" Bill never could explain
or account for his singular timidity. He
would sing, frolic, and be as wild as a ro-
yer, among men, but q petticoat would
unnerve him Instantly.
Lucy Ann Liggons, young widow, had
set her cap for Bill, and was determined
to head him or die Bill, to tell the
truth, loved Lucy, and was as miserable
out of her company as he was timid in it
but as to popping the question, that
was impossible. Lucy knitted purses,
hemmed handkerchiefs, worked shirt bo-
SONS, and gave them to Jenkins, as well
as several gold rings, but still Bill would
not PROPOSE Lucy declared to him re-
peatedly that she loved him, and was
miserable when he was absent from her,
and her happiness in life depended upon
being his wife--but Billwas dumb. At
last, Lucy was determined that he should
hear thunder and when he next visited
her, after some preliminary talk on her
part, she very afiectionately said, Billy,
my dear, when are you going to ask me
to marry you? for | want to get my we'd
ding dress ready
Bill tainted on the spot, and hartshorn
and water were applied for half an hour
before he was finally restored.
What has been the matter, Miss Lucy!
oh nothing much; you tainted when
you were about to ask me to marry you
but told you yes--and oh how happy
we will be when we are married?-I will
love you so dearly; and as you said next
Thursday, wi y, l am viii ing the wedding
should be then-my dear Billy, how do
love you
Il am willing, Miss Lucy was all that
Jenkins could articulate, while Lucy
almost kissed him into fits. What glo-
rious victory
Here we ought to stop, but justice to
our narrative requires that we shonld
proceed to the finale.
The next Tuesday had como, and Jen-
kins was trembling at the approach Of
evening, something seemed to horror up
his mind, and to no friend would he COM
municate his deep distress.
',You are not afraid, certainly, to go up
and get married-why, to marry such a
beautiful, charming and intellectual being
as Mrs Liggons, should wish that time
would fly like news upon the Electric Tel
egraph line, Cheer up, Jenkins-cheer up.
oh replied Bill, you don't know what
distresses me. can 90 up and get mar
ried-that is all easy enough, but there is
something's know it feel it-there
is one thing am satisfnd will never
be able to do, unless Lucy will assist
me-
Explain yourself, replied his friend, and
if can, with propriety, | will endeavor
to render you comfortable.
But Jinkins could not explain--he dar-
ed mott was his timidity-he saw the
Rubicon before him, and he knew he