The weekly Columbian., 1857-03-14
Popping the Question.

Popping the Question.
There is nothing more appalling to
modest and sensitive young man than
asking the girl he loves to marry him;
and there are few who do not find their
| moral courage tasked to the utmost.
Many man who would lead forlorn
hope, mount breach, and g seek the bub-
blereputation cen at the cannons mouth"
trembles at the idea of asking a woman
the question which is to decide his fate.
Ladies may congratulate themselves that
nature and custom have made them the
responding party.
In matter which men have always
found SO terrible, yet which, in one way
or another, they have always contrived
in some awkward way to accomplish, it is
not easy to give instructions suited to
every emergency.
Il man naturally conforms to the dispe-
sition of the woman he admires. If She
be serious, he will approach the awful
subject with due solemnity-if gay and
lively, he will make it an excellent Joke
If softly sentimental, he must WOO her
in strain of high-wrought romance-if
severely practical, he relies upon straight
forward common sense.
There is one maxim of universal ap-
plication. Never lose an opportunity.
What can woman think of lover who
neglects one? Women cannot make d.
rect advances, but they use infinite tact
in giving men occasion to make them.
In every case, it is fair to presume that
when woman gives man an opportu-
nifty, she expects him to improve it; and
though he may tremble, and feel his pulse
throbbing and tingling through every
limb; though his heart is filling up his
throat, and his tongue cleaves to the roof
Of his mouth, yet the fearful question
must be asked-the fearful task is accom-
plshed.
In the country, the lover is taking
romantic walk by moonlight with the la
dy of his love-talks of the beauty of the
scenery, the harmony of nature, and ex-
claims, "Ah! Julia, how happy would
existence prove, if always had such
companion p
She sighs, and leans more fondly upon
the arm that tremblingly supports her.
My dearest Julia, be mine forever I"
This is a settler, and the answer, ever
so inaudible, makes or undoes him
quite
take pity on forlorn bachelor"
says another, in manner which NAV be
either jest or earnest, marry me at once,
and put me out of my misery"
With all my heart, whenever YOU
are ready" replies the laughing fair. A
joke carried thus far is easily made earn
est
A point is often carried by taking a
thing for granted. A gentleman who has
been paying attention to a lady, says,
well, Mary, when is the happy day?"
/" What day, pray :" she asks with con-
scious blush.
why, everybody knows that we are
going to get married, and it might as
well be one time as another; so, when
shall it be %
Cornered in this fashion, there is no
retreat.
"Jane. I love you! Will you marry
me = would be somewhat abrupt, and
simple, frankly given g Yes !" would be
short and sweet, for an answer.
Ellen, one word from you would
make me the happiest man in the uni
verse;"
81 should be cruel not to speak it, then,
unless it is very hard one''
1T is word of three letters, and an
swers the question, VIII you have me ?"
The lady of course says Yes, unless
she happen to prefer word of only two
letters, and answers No.
And so this interesting and terrible
process in practice, simple as it is in the
ory, Is varied in hundred ways, accord
ing to circumstances and the various dis
positions.
One timid gentleman asks, "Have YOU
any objection to change your name ?"
and follows this up with another, which
clinches its significance, How would
mine suit you :"
Another asks, Will you tell me what
| most wish to know p
"Yes, if can."
"Ihe happy day when we shall be
married !"
Another says, My Eliza, we must do
what all the world evidently expects we
shall'
"All the world is very i,npertinent."
know it-but it can't be helped.
When shall tell the parson to be ready?"
AS general rule. gentleman never
need be refused. Every woman. except
heartless coquette can find some means
or artifice to discourage a suitor, if she
desires it, without giving offepse or