Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-10-12
THE GAZETTE.
TUESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER r., 1858

~ l.
TUESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER H. 1898
WHAT CONSTITUTES AN ENGA"kMhNl
A WATER1NG-pLAcE l!IsToRY.--the ieuii'
1eton;ste O, the Courier dcs Flats U dis, III ms
last "Cbropioue de New York" after assert
ing that the present season has produced TX,
tie but commonplace events, (odndafeS)
gives the following romantic watering'piace
history
know young man (though the history
does not belong to the present season. VINO
found himself engaged oue fine morning,
without any idea of such an event. True,
be had flirted good deal for week or more
with beautiful young blonde, whom lash
iouable pleasure bad attracted to Saratoga,
Newport, or Sharon, as you will. Tbe name
is not Of the slightest consequence.
Filtration, which is not expressly prohioi'
ted in the Decalogue is sentimental com
fully current in the United States and Its cir
culation compromises no one. Il tue "u'"
must be avowed, it had CHANGED that our De-
70 one pg6t--one moohless pight--epJCyeu
a conversation at the extremity vi Dark
piazza; and this young gentleman, oy acci-
dent. perhaps. dropped his head at the mo-
mcnt the Young lady in question raised hers,
the better to hear what he said. But kiss,
half-siven and halt-received, Is not matter
OF such moment as to require the sanction OF
marriage.
Be it known, then, that William( | see no
improperly in calling him Willism) was pc
trifed rather than charmed, the next day,
when his partner Of the previou, nights IN
L. ha N
j, best to make known their engagement at
once!
He gave her a look from which the young
lady inferred that she was DOT understood,
and blushiug still more sweetly, repeated the
question.
William exhibited no discourteous surprise
but put on 90 appearance which indicated
that he was undecided whether al lmmediate
public ayowal was best, aud then managed 10
have some good reasons for postpolng the
revelation until the close Of the season; aud
Nelly promised &c keep it a profouod secret
That night he retired to his room aad med
itated various schemes for extricatlng blm-
self from his embarrassing position. lie
could admit every plan but one-that OF mar
rage.
He had not decided upon any definite plan
when next night, at the dance, Miss Susan
H. a charming person, who honored hun
with friendship bordering upon the sentl-
mental, touched him lightly on the arm, and
said with a mysterious air:
"Sir, l congratulate you.
"Wherefore?" he asked, but she had al
ready elided away in the dance.
The matter required an explanation ard
during a hiatus in the music they went aside
and Susan spoke 10 serious MOOD:
"Nelly is my best friend; che has told me
all. On, YOU needn't blush go at that"
In fact William colored with the idea that
bis pretended engagement had already been
circulated among bis intimate tnnds, lie
did not directly deny it, however, but took q
method of bis own.
cam l really eDgaged,?" be demanded Of
Susan.
"a beautiful question to ask me-, said Su-
san. with the slightest touch OF spite.
"You shall Judge my case" said William.
"Suppose repeat here what you have heard
hundred times-a thousand umes-that
YOU are beautiful, intelligent and accomplish
ed; that your eyes are the deep blue OF heav-
Ell; your lips the transparent red OF the coral;
your locks the black lustre OF the ravens
wing; your neck the grace of the swan, ard
your shoulders the whiteness OF bis piumsge
would all this, ask, constitute an engage
ment between u.s."
mo, certainly"
"And if should add: The musician loves
YOU for the melody of your voice, the painter
for the perfection or your hneaments, the
sculptor for the model of your-of your srns,
the poet for the expression of your glance,
the unfortunate for the goodness OF your heart,
the gay for your wit, and love you for all
these, /"
"Is it true that you have said all those
pretty thing to herr"
ut is not true. could not havo said it
without ialsebood?"
"And you never lie?"
Never. If / make such an svowal, does
it follow that We are to become man and
wife,"
81 do not think So"
"Neither do !. For example, if upon just
such plight as this, | take your hand
(,he taking Of the hand was more shao
a supposition) and say to you: 'Susan! do you
pot know how long have loved you! Have
you not OWNED it in my words. ielt 1t IN my
silence, seen it in my looks. Then, DO not
wait, accept the offer Of my heart, which beats
only for you; of my life, which has no other
Object, If may consecrate it wholly to your
happiness2"
"Oh, shame! shame" suddenly cried a
voice stifed with emotion.
The two retreated precipitately, seeing poor
Nelly, who also hurried to Der chamber to
hide her disappointment and her Jury
Disturbed at the disappearance other suppos'
ed affianced, che bad walked out on the dark
piazza. hoping to meet BIN, and arrived IN
time to hear bis gallant speech.
"Heay! What will she think" e1ciaim-
ed Susan.
1.-The truth" replied William.
4
The next morning at breakfast everyone
was asked, Have you heard the news!-
William has broken bis engagement" But
they we're deceived; f1r in three months he
married Miss Susan II -, aud she happy
pair are now in Italy.
An ELECTION will be held in the touIte
~ Ward, OF this city, on the 1 II III ZEN n
DAY OF OCTOBER NEXT. at the house on 'he
Head 90