The home journal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1857-1857, 1857-03-20


foil on onn knee, and forthwith procee.
ded to make Kitty very plain offer OF
| his hand
Meanwhile Kitty had risen from her
seat, and recovering from her astonsh'
ment, she drew herself up with dignity
and replied, 81 hardly know, sir, what
you mean by your very strange conduct.
The liberty you have taken has made me
very sensible Of my own imprudence in
having allowed the advances of stran.
ger so presuming-an error | shall be
careful not to repeat"
So saying, my proud little Kitty (never
had she looked 80 handsome) turned from
the stranger with 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, Tor when | met
her she was as full Of mischief as ever.
"WeIl, James, why don't you ask me
about my adventures to.day?" she IN
quired.
"Because." replied, 81 didn't suppose
you would be so imprudent as 10 go again
to day where you would be likely 10 en-
counter the insolent puppy who presum'
ed to address you yesterday"
81 didn't in the least expect him to be
there" said Kitty blushing and some.
what confused, "but he was there"
"Ofcourse," replied, grufly. "Well,
was your Adonis as handsome and agree.
able as ever?"
"More So" cried Kitty, recov ering her
oomposure; che looked more Masaniello
like than evern his fishing dress; and
for entertainment he first read me all the
finest part Of Temyson's Princess, and
then made marriage proposal, and |
don't think any man could be expected TO
do more in one afternoon"
81 should think not, indeed, ,"Said | !;
"pray what reply did you make to the
rascal?--that you had a friend at home
who would be happy 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"
"Why, you good for nothing, little de.
ceitful puss!" cried losing all patience;
there never was more arrant dssembler
living. Behold, how plain tale shall
put you down! for 10, | myself, disguised
merely by little paint, a fishing blouse,
false mustache, and change in the ar
rongement Of my hair, was in my own
person this elegant, captivating, hand
some, agreeable stranger whose praises
You have been so lavishly sounding"
Poor Kitty was completely confoun'
dcd. "How could have been so stupid?
she murmured, and the voice, too, which
sounded so familiar all the time!'
yes, Kitty, you're caught" said |, "and
} to punish you for attempting to palm a
wicked falsehood upon me, shall i'm
pose two. fold fine. FIRST, you shall kiss
, me, and then fix our wedding day, which
must be very shortly, for I'm going to
Paris in month, and you must 60 owith
me.
, Kitty gave little scream, and declaf
r ed that she could not think of submitting
, to either of my penalties; but in vain she
, struggled and protested-l had her ir
5 my arms, and finding at last all her ef
g forts to release herself lruitless, her JEST
Z. and laughter suddenly changed to earnes
s tenderness, and closing her arms rount
4 me, she said, GAS you will dear-deares
D Jamie!'
y Gone month from to-day, then, my own
sweet, darling Kitty" began
!. "Katharine r' whispered Kitty.
S "Katharine!" repeated, smiling at he
It pertinacity on this point-"one mont
h from to-day, my Katharine"
i. "You never put any adjectives befot
Katharine" murmured Kitty, evasively
S hiding her blushing and pouting face.
"My own dear, gracious, winning, be
=, witching, most kissable Katharine" sal
I,"shall it be as | say?"
g "If mamma chooses" whispered Kitty
n And so persuaded tho sweetest and pre-
l. tiest girl in the country to accept h(
t, first and only lover; and though to this da
d my merry little wife often complains th'
- | defrauded her, by my tricks, other ma
r. ural, womanly rights Of breaking two {
le three hearts, at least, ere she made or
IS man supremely blest, still she general
}, concludes her reproaches in manner mo
8. flattering to my vanity, by declaring th
10 she had two offers after all, and that eat
8. of them was worth thousand commc
4. ones.
to We are apt to mistake our vocation
looking out of the way for occasions
exercise great and rare virtues, and ste
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