The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1857-06-06
Gelcrtc0 Gale.
The Man who Couldn't say No.
PAUL PLIANT;

The Man who Couldn't say No.
Two negatives, they say, make an affirma-
tive. Therefore, think it safe to suppose
that Paul Plants father and mother must
have been as negative pair as ever came
together, for Paul was the most affirmative
man that has yet been heard of. He always
said yes to everything that was proposed,
suggested, or nsinuated to him. lie was Il
true administration man, under all govern
ments, never in the opposition. lie was one
Of those over-poli.e. over good-natured OH
bc.casy, acuuicSccnt mortals, who seem to be
sent into the world forno other purpose than
to show how much man may suffer for want
Of little contra-mind,dne "Ies. -
.Ccrtainlv." by all means" mo doubt
of it," with all my heart" Every happy
ts,oulige YOU" 'Entirely at your service"
'.Oh, yes. Oh, yes" Such were Paul's con-
slant replies. AS to saying no, it was as
impossible to get it out as Macbeth s "'When
he had most need of denying, it it stuck in
his throat" | don't know that he ever sat
in the Legislature, but am sure that if he
ever did when the yeas had it, ~ they had
Paul also He would not have cried Nc
Poswul.lm, IN the Polish diet, if tie words
could have demolished the partition treaty.
Though he.was not in the opposition. yet
think it hardly correct to call him jackson
man, for he never vetoed anything in his life,
unless in the style of the honest country rep.
resentative, Mr.. Speaker, Shall give nay
vote in faror of this bill" Ii shot, Paul
was the very pink Of assentmcrts, all nncar-
nation of mem con.
Now. this is very good character for
man to bear on some accounts, for 1t gets one
the reputation of good-naurcd fellow, and
according to the old proverb ''opln,on IS the
queen of the world" the reader may think
that Paul must have had happy time OF it,
No such thing. Paul's good nature brought
him into more embarraSsments and vcxatlons
than if he had been the croSsest cur that ever
snarled. speak not of lending umbrellas
It's the.l of mortality. To lend money Is
about the Same thing, though money lent
sometimes comes back. But who would be-
lieve that good-naturcd man, merely bj
reason of his good nature and for no other
fault under the sun, could be led through
such rgmorole dance Of perversty OF for
tune, that he fought duel and almost mar
lied widow
The widow Wlful was lady Of a certain
age: she had made the best Of time and time
had returned the compliment. She had Shed
many teals for the loss of her good man-so
she protested, and / cannot help thinking she
spoke the truth. for she tried very hard to get
another. However, this did not prove so easy
a matter, for although the widow was not
without charms, the men were, shy. What
could be the reason! the reader will ask again
This is truly delightful said Paul to the
widow, one evening. as he leaned his arm over
the back Of the chair, worked his face up to
the blandest of all his acquieSccnt smiles, and
essayed some flatterng compliment concern
ing the widows fine entertainment. This
istruly delightful; so much hilarity and cheer
fulness-so many happy faces. do love to
look On them"
Paul inadvertently raised his eyes, as he
uttered these words and at the close of the
speech was looking straight in the widow S
face. lie meant not the least harm III the
world; but the widow pretended to blush.
She purscd up her pretty mouth:
''Oh, Mr.. Plant, you are very great Hat
tercr, but We know that you are honest. You
never say one thing and mean another"
Certainly, by all means, my dear madam.
but, really. Mr. PLANT. my dear Sir
when gentleman tells lady that he loves
to look on her, you know that is really Sig
nifcant."
"oh, yes, certainly; you are quite right,
madam"
''Wcl you are frank, Mr.. Plant, and |
Shall certainly give you credit for sincerity.
Another man might say ten times as much.
and should never think Of regarding it; but
know Can rely upon the word of so honor
able gentleman as Mr.. Paul Plant"
Rely upon my word surely you may.
Mrs. Wilful. should be sorry if
"Oh, don't mention it, my dear sir. | never
doubted Tor a moment: certainly you would
never hint at anything like an attachment
unless you had been quite sincere"
Certainly, madam, replied Paul in great
amazement, with the conjecture how he had
been so unlucky as to say more than he
meant, for Paul would as soon have thought
Of jumping out of steeple as of telling Wild.
ow Wiful he felt an attachment for her.
Certainly, by all means" he continued to
repeat mechanically. "Oh yes, certainly"
Pray, MIR. Plant, be so good as to hand
me glass Of water; really the room is so
warm--just reach your hand"
Certainly. madam; my hand is entirely at
your service"
Paul was in such flutter that he was not
aware what he said till the words were past
recall.
BLESS me! what have said :" thought
he to himself. But it was too late.
"Oh. MIR. Plant" said she, blushing up
to the ears ''you are too generous. ImeaD
you are almost too precipitate. Now, were
it any other man, should suspect him Of
triftlng but such man a. Mr.. Plsnt."