St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-08-20

ner, where he remained for hours as
dumb and almost as motionless as the
fitch of bacon which dangled above his
head--rarely finding courage to speak
ten words, and sometimes not speak
ing at.all during the whole evening.
He sat fastening his eyes on Polly as
she piled the shuttle, and his part was
to attend to the wants of the fire as it
cracked on the hearth in front of him.
On Sundays and holidays he was seen
at the side of his beloved, exhibiting
at all times evidences of the truest
devotion. Still, he never spoke a
word, either to her or her parents, on
the subject nearest his heart. This si-
lent homage went on for two years.
In the estimation of all the neighbor-
hood, the pair were booked for man
and wife and as there was no impedi-
ment to their union, people wondered
why it had not come off long ago.
Whether any kind and considerate
soul gave Gideon hint to take cour.
age and speak up, we cannot pretend
to say but it is certain that at length
he found resolution to pop the qucs-
tion. The grand event took place in
the following way-and as we were
indebted for the account of it to the
mother of the bride, we cannot be mis-
taken on the subject: Gideon came in.
to the cottage on Christmas-eve, a lit
tie flustered. Dame Spinner saw an
unusually manful expression on his
countenance, and half expected what
was going to happen. Father, mother
and daughter were assembled around
the fire, having laid aside their work
to enjoy few hours holiday over a
cup of tea. Gideon took his seat in
the chimney corner, and sat quietly
for a few moments, with significant
smile upon his countenance then he
rose suddenly to his full height, and,
.,ith his head half way up the chimney,
littIe m,ore than his corduroy continu-
atlons beH>~- -...ytI TO the company.
delivered ir,ms' 4 deli6e."s !. in tbo
following mysterious declaration. .s.If
somebody loved somebody as well as
somebody loves somebody, somebody
would have somebody" 1t Is most
probable that a declaration Of love
was never made in such a form before.
Gideon was as mute as shadow, his
head concealed in the chimney, tor
some rSinates after the prodigious ef-
fort heFh'd made. When, at length,
in compliance with the request of the
damsels mother, he brought his broad
face into the light, it was the color OF
live coal and was turned in any di-
re ction but toward her who was the
cause of his confusion. But the ice
was broken the necessary prellmina-
ries were soon after settled and the
ensuing week the marriage knot was
tied, which made Gideon Robin and
Polly Spinner one flesh. Neither OF
them, 50 far as we have heard, ever
regretted the step; and it is our firm
conviction that, if Gideon could be
prevailed upon to utter so many words,
which is not at all likely, he would de-
clare it was the best job he ever did
in his life.
We were once intimate with gen
tleman, who after fifteen years OF ac
tive and ceaseless exertions in busi
ness, having realized competent Tor
tune, built himself a house on adelight
ful site overlooking an arm Of the sea
and sat down to enjoy the fruits OF his
labor. Though surrounded with books
!, and works of art, and the finest seen
cry, he yet found something wanting
A friend suggested that his mansion
: could not be complete without mis-
tresS.
t "You mean wife ?" said he. "
t never thought Of that. I'll see abou
! it," The next day he set off for town
i and upon his arrival knocked at tn
Il door of merchant with whom he ha
e often done business. He was show
!, into the library.
q master is not at home,' said tn
+ footman, but he will return to dinner.
II al do not want your master" sal
> our friend "be so good as to sen
', the housekecper to me-" The youn
, woman obeyed the summons in fe'
moments.
MARY" said he, "they tell me
u y want wife, and l think 1 do. 70
u are the only woman know OF that
: shoui.Slhe to have. ! have know
~ J, you good many years, and you kno
y me well enough and if you have Il
objection wen be married tomorrow
'e What do you say?" Mary might ha'
. suspected another man acting thus
s ss be out of his mind, but knowing Il
=, u habits of the speaker, she merely
= ~ piled she would prefer some time
- think the matter over.
nd "l'll give you week" +" said he 81
;s that time you must make up. yo
"a. MUD, as want the affair settled, nc
~ have taken it in hand. BE go
MT girl and consent, and I'll make you
MT good husband" On that day.weck
yn took her with him to his new house
"a. his wife, and never from that day
IN this found cause to repent OF his chol
,ot which perhaps was not so unmedltat
n5 as, from the suddeness OF the cvel
ith we might suppose.
- Among civilized nations, it is alm'
red the universal rule, that all advan'
Ids toward matrimony are to be ma
the solely by the male. 1t would be thout
con a violation Of modesty, for the lady
no any case-unless perhaps she was
mi royal pcrsonage--to manifest any
ing dencc Of partiality toward gen
but man, who has not first given decided
S it kens of his admiration. There lsnov
my philosophical ground for this rigid r.
her that we arc aware OF, either III nat
er's or reason and we are not Justlhe'
re- condemning those who choose to br
ons, through Tit being a custom peri
and ly conventional. and really OF no m
SER Importance whatever. Among
Iner, natives Of Paraguay such ones
ans reciprocity is utterly unknown. !
sion both male a I'd female are at libert
time declare their preference for one al