The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-11-05
VOLUME G---NO. q.
What Constitutes an Engagement
A WATERING-pLA HISTORY.

thtS, III his last "Ciironiguc dc New York,
after asserting that the present sc:lson ha,
produccl little tut common rlacc events
(1anaHics) give, the following romantic
watering place history.
know Young man Nhou~h the history
does not bcl"mg TO the present scaSon) who
found himself engaged uue fine morning
without any idea Of such an event. True
he had !irtcl q good deal for a week or
more with Il beautiful Young blonde, whom
fashionable pleasure had attracted to Sara.
t"ga, Newport, or Sharon, rs you will. The
name is not Of the slightest consequence.
Filtration, which is not expressly prohi!,-
tied i'll tho Decalo-uc. is sentimental coin
fully current in Tie United States, and its
circulation compromises 10 one. If In.
truth must be avowcd, it hal charccd that
our hero one night--one mooni,.ss right
enjoyed 4 conversation at .llc extremity Of >,
dark piazza; and this youn- gentleman.
''y accident, perhaps, dropped hi, lead at
the monlcnt the Young lady in question
raised hers, the better 10 hear what !.c said.
l'ut kiss, half given and halc.rccryr.l, i
not matter Of s,icIl moment as to :e.;,,:ry
th" sanction of nn'!iar".
I'c il known, then, that William T see
no lmpropric:y in calling him Wil.iam) WIS
rc'r!!ei rather than charmed the ncx, dav.
wien his partner Of the previous Il; dts in
tervlew asked him, h!n>i.;ng, if he though;
1t best TO make known their cn"arcueu, IT
once
lie gave her 4 look from wlicl, the Young
lady inferred that she WAS not understood
and hIu>hiny still! more swcc,iY, rcpe..,I
the question.
William exhibited no liScourtccus sur.
prise, bat put on an appearance which III i;
Gated that ho was un,!cci,lcl whether ;;n
immediate public ;.vowal w;.s best, and ,iiyu
managed TO have some good reasons for
p"aponlng tl.- revelation until the close OF
the season ani Nelly promised TO keep ii
profound secret.
That night i.c retired to lis room anil
me'iilaicd various schemes for cy.ricat;nr
himself from his embarrassing position. lie
could admit every plan but onc-,l!at Of
marriage.
lie had not decided upon any definite
plan, when, next night at the dance, Mis-,
Susan il, charming person, who
honored him with a friendship bordering.
upon the sentimental, touched him lightly
upon the arm, and said, with mysterious
air:
"s'r, congratulate you.''
"Nhercfore p lie asked, but she had al
ready giiIed away in the dance.
The matter required an explanation, anl
during hiatus in the music, they went
aside, and Susan spoke in serious mood
NELLY is my best friend She has told
lie "''. On, You needn't blush so at lhat.o
IN TACT William co!oreL with the idea
that his pretended engagement had already
been circulated among his intimate friends.
lie did not directly deny it, however, but
took method Of his own.
cam | really engaged Z" lie demanded
Of Susan.
"a beautiful question TO ask me-, said
Susan, with the slightest touch Of spite.
"lou shall judge my casc," said VIII
ham.-"Surrose I repeated here what YOU
have heard hundred timcs-a thousand
''mes-that you are beautiful, intelligent
and accomplished that your lips the trans
parent red OF the coral; your locks the
black lustre Of the ravens wing; your
neck the grace Of the swan, and Your
shoulders the whitcncss of lis plumare-
would all this, I ask, constitute an cnrare-
ment between us 2"
Not, certainly"
"And if l should add Tho m,s;c;on
loves you for the melody Of YOUR VOICE tbo
painter for the perfection Of your linca,ncn,s
the sculptor for the model of your-of vour
arms the poet for the expression Of vour
g'ahce' tile unfortunate for the goodness Of
your heart the gay for your wit, and love
you for all these, l."
"ls it true that you have said all those
pretty things to her Z"
"lt is not true. l could not have said il
without falsehood."
"And you never lic?"
"Neyer. If make such an ayowal. does
1t follow that VIC are to become man and
wife 2"
II do not think So"
Neither do I. For example, if upon
just such night as this, take your hand
(the taking of the hand was more than
supposition) and say TO you, 80 Susan do
you not know how long have loved you
Have you not OWNED it in my words, felt it
in mysflence, seen it in my looks. Then,
do not wait, accept the offer of my heart,
which beats only for you; Of my life, which