The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1858-04-07
Bill Jenkins Troubles on the First Night Of
his Marriage.


. and at many of the eteetera places wher'
men may occasionally be found-yet HI
was modest, very-whenever placed in tht
company of ladies'. He trembled when 6
pretty girl would speak TO him, and felt like
a culprit at the stand, when he was called
upon to "see Miss So. and.so home" Bill
could never explain or account for this sin.
gular timidity. He would sing, frolic, and
be as wild as rover when among men, but
a pelticoat would unnerve him instantly.
Lucy Ann Liggons, young widow, had
"set her cap" for Bill, and she was deter
mined TO head him or die. Bill, to tell the
truth, loved Lucy, and was miserable out of
her company as he was timed in it-but as
TO "popping the question:" that was impos.
sible. Lucy knit purses, hemmed hand
kerchiefs, worked shirt bosoms and gave
them to Jenkins, as we'll as several gold
rings, but still Bill would not "propose. -
Lucy declared TO him repeatedly that she
loved him, and was miserable when he was
absent from her, and her happiness in life
depended upon her being his wife-but
Bill was dumb. At last Lucy was deter
mined that he should "hear thunder" and
when he next visited her, after some pre-
liminary soft talk on her part, she very af.
fectionately said:
Billy, my dear when are you going to
ask me 10 marry you? for I want to get my
dress ready"
Bill tainted on the spot, and hartshorn and
water were applied for half an hour before
he was finally restored.
"What has been the matter, Miss Lucy 2"
"Oh, nothing much. You tainted when
you were about 10 ask me 10 marry you
but told you yes-and oh, how happy we
will be when we are married! will love
you so dearly; and as you said next Thurs.
day, why, l am willing the wedding should
be then-my dear Billy, how | do love you!"
81 am willing, Miss Lucy" was all that
jerks could articulate, while Lucy almost
kissed him into fits. What glorious VIC
tory!
Here we ought 10 stop, but justice to our
narrative requires that we should proceed to
the finale.
The "next Thursday" had come, and
jenkins was trembling at the approach of
the evening-something seemed 10 harrow
up his mind very much, and TO no friend
even wOula,ke communicate his de@ dis,
"You are not afraid, certainly to 60 up
and get married-why, to marry such
beautiful, charming, and intellectual being
as Mrs. Liggons, should wish that time
would fly like news upon the electric tele.
graph line. Cheer up, Jenkins-cheer up"
"oh," replied Bill, "you don't know what
distresses me, can go up and get married,
that is easy enough, but there is one thing |
am satisfied never will be able to do in
the world, unless Lucy will assist me-"
explain yourself, my dear fellow" re-.
piled his friend, "and if can with propriety
| will endeavor TO render you comfortable -
"But Jenkins could not explain-he dared
not-it was his timidity-he saw the Rubi-
con before him, and he knew that he could
not pass it-but he was determined to get
married and trust luck and Lucy.
| uO SduiC-diiu tuCy WcI6
All were merry; the laugh, chat, the dance,
made up lively party until midnight-they
commenced to disperse, and at one o'clock,
Bill Jenkins was left "solitary and alone''
in the hall. Lucy Ann had retired, and her
bridesmaids were of in distant room.-
Bill Jenkins walters and friends had gone
home with the ladies'. Bill was now at the
point where he thought his firmness would
fail him. His situation was peculiar one.
He was not certain which was Lucy's room
although he had been told-and even had
he known he could not go to it.
The watchman cried "past two o'clock, u
and yet jenkins was still alone and appar.
emily engaged in reading an old Almanac,
which by chance had been left in his coat
pocket. An old female darky, who resided
in the family had been prevailed upon by
the ladies' who had noticed Jenkins bash.
fulness 10 show him the bedroom, and she
accordingly introduced herself to him in as
modest style as she well could.
"Mr. Jenkins" she replied, "its past two
O'Clock.
ooh yes-I know it, Pm going home in q
f few minutes. Old woman, where's my
hat"
"It's in Miss Lucy's room sir-you car
, get it there if you'll go in. Mr.. Jenkins
why don't you go to beda Miss Lucy il
there waiting for you-don't be so modest
, the ladies will laugh at you. Come will
me, and I'll show you the room, for wan
to put out the lights and go to bed"
The old woman seized hold of Jenkin,
, and pulled him along until she got out o
, the hall, and his gaze was fixed for mo
r ment on the entry door-but she was deter
mined to put him in Miss Lucy's room, ant
after violent efforts succeeded. There HI
stood with the knob of the door in his hant
. but the old darkey had beensmart enough
} to lock the door on the outside. Lucy pre-
tended for some time TO be asleep, but tha
sort of CANNON Would not answer. At las
she said
"My dear Billy, what is the matter will
, youW