The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-04-08

well, Kitty" said I, "what other perfec-
tons has your hero, or have you exhausted
your list?'
Far from it, said Kitty, Indignantly "He
wears his hair parted down in the middle like
poet, or that charming signor Pozzoini in the
part of the Edgardo-'' ..... sI'
''Or a methodist parson,' observed.
tAnd beside all that" continued Kitty, che
has mostache."
"a last best gift,' said I; '.but Kitty that
perfection, hope, will not be very difficult of
achievement I'll begin to morrow Let me
see-tall-handsome- abe-good man
ners-elegant figure, and moslache! On the
whole, Kitty, | think I'm very much afraid Of
my rival"
You have cause" Kitty replied, with grave
dignity.
The next day when Kitty reached her little
retreat, she found the stranger again in its
neighborhood | must do the little coquette the
justice of confessing that she did look startled
and indeed vexed, when she saw him; but per
haps thinking it too late 10 retreat, she advanced
timiGly.
The youth met her with many apologies
and very plausible pretence for bis intrusion
which she could not gainsay, While something
hattering in his manner made her blushingly
divine that the hope Of again seeing her had
been the, true cause of his reappearance. Be
that as ii might, the stranger, perhaps to give
Kitty time to recover her confidence, immedi-
alely sauntered off in pursuit Of his sport, and
Kitty, fancying she had seen the last of the
new admirer, drew forth her book and settling
herself in a mossy corner, began TO read. She
hr1 had Nov.
attention on its pages beforethe pertinacious
stranger rtappeared, and declaring that fishing
was dull work. and that the ish3woud not bite,
he composedly seated himself at Kitty's feet.
and begged to know the name of the book she
was reading.
''Tcnnyson's Princess replied Kitty, very
tartIv.
The mperturable strange fisherman declared
the book a great favor;te of his, and began to
talk SO entcrtaininyIy of books and authors
that Kitty, warmed by the subject, forgot to be
digniied and an animated discourse on tavorjc
authors ensucd. Afterwards the Young man
begged permission to read her few passages
he had selected which were the very ones Kit
ty loved BEST he read them well too, and Kit
tvs bright eyes sparkIed with delight. as she
listened. Turning at last to. the exquisite con
Guiding interview between Ida and the young
prince, the strangers voice became more and
more earnest as he read, till coming to the SEN
timental Words
Indeed Loves thee: come
Yield thyself up; mine hopes ard thine are one;
Accomplish thou my manhood and thyself-
Lay thy sweet hands in mine and trust to me
he suddenly flung the book aside. exclaiming:
"What words! What words! What would
I not give for courage 10 utter them to the be-
ing love best on the carthn' The stranger
paused moment, and then broke forth impe-
tuous!y: This forced silence is all in vain
the words would repress will come. In vain
have striven to be prudent-cautious-t al
low you time-not to startle you--loveIy, be-
wi,ching, Miss Catharine--you are yourself the
object of my adoratlon--to whom l would say
much if L dared, and thereupon the youth
rather melodrama tieally fell on one knee-and
forthwith proceeded to make Kitty very plain
offer of his hand.
Meanwhile Kitty had risen from her seat
and recovering from her astonishment she
drew herself up with dignity and replied. Il
hardly know, sir, what YOU mean by your very
strange conduct. The liberty YOU have taken
has made me very sensible of my own impru-
dence in having allowed the advances of an ut
ter stranger SO presuming-an error shall be
careful not to repeat .~-.
. So saying, my proud little Kitty )ncver had
she looked 50 handsome turned from the stran-
ger with a distant bow, and walked directly
home.
| did not see Kitty till some time after her
return; perhaps she was recovering her spirits
in her room, for when | met her she was as
full of mischief as ever.
'WeII, DANES, why don't YOU ask me about
my adventures today?" she inquired.
Because . replied, didn't suppose you
would be so imprudent as to 90 again to day
where you would be likely to encounter the in
solent puppy WHO presumed to address you
Yesterday
'Ildin'ti in the least expect him to be there"
said Kitty, bIushiny and somewhat confused,
''buthe was there -
"Of course replied gruffly "Well, was
our1Adonos as handsome and agreeable as
ever?''
More so,' cried Kitty, recovering her COM
posure;; ''he looked more Massinieilo like than
everin his fishing dress; and for entertainment
he first read me all the finest part of Tenny
sons Princess, and then made d marriage pro-
posal, and | don't think any man could be ex-
pected to do more in one afternoon
Il should think not, indeed, !" said /; "pray
what reply did you make to the rascal?-tlrat
you had friend at home who would be hap
pv to kick him we'll for his insolence?"
Far from it, said Kitty; "what my reply
was is my secret-and his but for you my
poor James, I'm sorry for you-it's all over
with you, and your Offer .f
''Why, you good for nothing. little deceiful
puss - cried |, losing all patience 'there
never was a more arrant dissembler living
Behold how plain tale shall put you down!
for 10, l myself, disguised merely by a little
paint, a fishing blouse, a false moustache, and
4 change in the arrangement of my hair, was
in my own person this elegant captivating,
handsome, agreeable stranger, whose praises
you have been SO lavishly sounding" .s
Poor Kitty was completely confounded. =
How could have been so stupid?" she mur-
mured,'' and the voice, too, which sounded SO
familiar all the time!'' ,"sa
E"Yes, Kitty. you're caught" said I, "and to
punish you for attempting to palm a wicked
talsehood upon me, | shall impose two-fod
fine. First. you shall kiss me, and then fix our
wedding day, which must be very shortly. for