The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-03-13
MISCELLANY.
Popping the Question.
1t is my privilege, sir.
A nj >ynul1 ,-n,, vol ~, - ell ,


And would you rob nic of that l'Givilct""
Leap year confyrs privileges On unmar
ried ladies, Of which. during other ycar,
they are deprived. They may, without be
ing accused of gross III, propsic!y, indical,
In an Indirect or even direct manner. thri,
Partially for an individual Of the stcrncr sex
who has found favor in their eyes, and who
Is retraned by undue humility or diii,.cnc,
from tasking the initiative III the matter Sc
closely connected with his happiness. tn,
course adopted bv Susan Summons. a briylt
rougish-ookiny blue eyed brunette, to dis
appoint rival and secure il good and alice
t'onate husband, Is thu case in point.
Susan was brought up in close proximity
to distant Relation. Il year or two ol!,,
than herself, whose name was Edward Ne.
wins. They were thrown much into each
others society from early chilIlloud hal
played together, tr"Iiced together ilir,cd to.
Gather: and being srcnyly attached to each
others company, were regarded, and very
justly. IA Intimate trie' j.. Edward looked
upon Susan as a >i>tr . ii WAS in the lab
it Of confding to !. -" his gricis and JOYS
his undertakings and his t.clinG.-anl this
familiar aud friendly intercourse contin,lcd
until both had arrived at all are when many
begin TO think seriously OF forming conncc.
tons ol that character which will endure
for life.
Edward had never dreamed nf q. ting
marricl-thc idea hal not entered his heal
lie liked Susan, bat had never thought of
her AS wife. On the other hand Susan
could not but acknowledge that cousin Ed
ward was The most agreeable young man ol
her acquaintance, and that, however pleas
ant their present relations were to each other,
they would soon, as {; matter OF course be
exchanged for others Of more tender and
enduring character.
Matters were in this state when board
lng-school friend of Susanss, Harriet Man
ners, came to spend few weeks will, her.
She was pretty, lively girl-was aware Of
ber own attractions-and it soon became
painfully evident to Susan that her dear
friend was determined to dazzle, captivate.
..set her cap for" and feloniously carry of
'sher own cousin Edward.
ouch base ingratitude on the part of her
friend cut poor Susan to the heart. She
desperately resolved to do something-somc
terrible thing perhaps-wlat, she did not
know. Her spirits, usually high, fell at
once to zero-and melancholy marked her
for its own. As she was walking in the
garden the morning after she made the
above discovery, and debating within her
self whether sbo had better reproach liar.
riel for bascness-assign some plausible ex
cuse for the fatal visit, Which it was expect.
ed would last ten days longer, Whole age
when devoted to mschief-or give her hand
to Charles Rainsworth, whom she had re-
fused, twice within year., her reflections
were interrupted by the epterance into the
garden of+Edward Nevins. Indeed, Edward
bad been smitten with Harriet's charms, and
wished to advise with his "cousin Susan,
about the best'mode Of popping the qucs
ton" to the captivating stranger. The young
man looked sober and somewhat embarrass
ed. He hastily advanced towards Susan
without poticing that her tranquility was
also disturbed. s.t,
20, Susan" he exclaimed, 81 am SO GLAD
to have found you. have something tc
tell you. 4 want your advice. .@-I-i"
! whats the matter with the man Z, said
Susan, in tone Of chagrin.. "Dan.t act like
a fool. You surely can't be in. iSse, rs
That's ita" cried Edward. aI believe ]
sm in love, and Susan, as you are a good