Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-03-26
Amusing Rtaomg.
POPPING THE QUESTION.
- It is my privilege, sir,

Leap year confers privileges on unmarried
ladies, of which, during other years, they are
deprived. They may, without being accused
Of gross impropriety, indicate in an indirect
or even direct manner, their partiality for
an Individual of the sterner sex, who has
found favor in their eyes, and who is restrain
ed by undue humility or difidence from ta-
king the initiative in the matter so closely
connected with his happiness. The course
adopted by Susan Sammons, bright, ro-
guish-looking blue eyed brunette, to disap-
point a rival and secure good and affec-
tionate husband, is the case in point.
Susan was brought up in close proximi-
ty to distant relation, year or two older
than herself, whose name was Edward Ne
Wins They were thrown much into each
others society from early childhood-had
played together, frolicked together, flirtsd TO-
gether, and being strongly attached to each
others company, were regarded, and very
Justly, as intimate friends. Edward looked
upon Susan as sister, and was in the habit
of confding to her all his griefs and joys
his undertakings and his feelings-and this
familiar and friendly intercourse continued
until both had arrived at an age when many
begin to think seriously of forming connec-
tions of that character which will endure
for life.
Edward had never dreamed of getting
married-the idea had not entered his head.
He liked Susan, but had never though. of
her as wife. On the other hand, Susan
could not but acknowledge that cousin Ed
ward was the most agreeable young man of
her acquaintance, and that however pleas
ant their present relations we're 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
ing-school friend of Susan's, Harriet Man.
ners, came to spend few weeks with her
She was pretty, lively girl-wos aware of
her own attractions-and it soon became
painfully evident to Susan that her own dear
friend was determined to dazzle, captivate,
':sct her cap for, and feloniously carry off
her own cousin Edward
Such base ingratitude on the part of her
friend cut poor Susan to the heart. She
desperately resolved to do something-some
terrible thing prehaps--what, 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 CIR
den the morning after she made the above
discovery, and debating within herself wheth-
er she had better reproach Harriet for base
ness-assign some plausible excuse for the
fatal visit, which it was expected would last
ten days longer, whole age when devoted
to mischief-or give her hand to Charles
Rainsworth, whom she had refused twice
within a year, her reflections, were interrupt
ed by the entrance into the garden of Nevins.
Indeed, Edward had been smitten with Har-
riet's charms, and wished to advise with his
"cousin Susan" about the best mode of
':popping the question" to the captivating
stranger. The young man looked sober and
somewhat embarrassed. He hastily advan-
ced towards Susan without noticing that her
tranquility was also disturbed.
90, Susan," he exclaimed, ~ am so glad
to have found you. l have something to
tell you. I want your advice. H."
"What's the matter with the man ?" said
Susan, in tone of chagrin. "Don't act
like fool You surely can't be in love"
"That's t?" cried Edward. 81 believe
I am in love, and Susan, as you are good
girl, and the best friend l have in the world,
I'll tell you all about it. l."
ooh! don't Edward. Don't say any more.
You really make me blush, this declaration
is so very uuexpected-and so ill timed
that"
"Why, what are you talking of Susan {?
You really don't know that you"
"Nay, cousin Edward" exclaimed Susan,
with a fond and beseeching look, and put
ting her hand over his mouth" this is
hardly fair, and it is leap year; it is not right
to cheat me out of my privilege"
"Privilege! Why Susan, 1 verify believe
you are crazy; I saw you in the garden, and
I came here merely to propose to you to"
"Oh! stop Edward. The proposal, as it
is leap year, should proceed from the lady,
and not from the gentleman-and as I see
you are bent on having our courtship brought
to close I suppose must go through with
the odious matter of form. Therefore I,
Susan, ask you, Edward, if you will take me
for your betrothed g.? I believe that is all
that is necessary, is it not"
And she said this with such an air of child
like simplicity and modesty, and gazed upon
Edward with such a tender and confding
glance that he could not resist it. The blan-
dishments of the artful Harriet were forgot
ten, and he saw before him the beautiful and
blushing girl, who had almost thrown her,
self into his arm
ooh, Susan, said the almost faithless
swain, can you indeed love me? This is
the happiest hour of my life."
The contract was signed, if not sealed
uerr;at'a caka woa douoh md thanka IN the