The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-07-29
Bill Jinkins' Troubles ON the First Night
of his Marriage.

Bill Jinkins was a very moderate
man; all Bills are, you know-and
although he had mingled with the
world at barbecues, bar-rooms, shoot
ing matches, and at many of the ct Get
era places where men may occasionally
be found, yet he was modest, very,
whenever placed in the company of
ladies. He trembled if a pretty girl
spoke to him, and felt like culprit at
the stand if called upon to see Miss
So-and-So home" Bill could never
explain or account for this singulr TIM
Idly. He would sing, frolic, and be as
wild as a Rover, among men, but the
rustling of a petticoat would unnerve
him instantly.
Lucy Ann Liggons, young widow,
had "set her cap" for Bill, and was
determined to have him or die" Bill,
to tell the truth, loved Lucy, and was
as miserable out of her company as he
was timid in it; but, as TO "popping
the question:" that was impossible.
Lucy knit purses, hemmed handker-
chiefs, worked shirt bosoms, and gave
them to Bill, as well as several gold
rings, but still Bill "would not propose"
Lucy declared te him repeatedly that
she loved him, and was miserable when
he was absent from her, and all her
happiness in life depended on her being
his wife; but Bill was dumb. At last
Lucy was determined that he should
shear thunder" and at his next visit,
after some preliminary soft talk on her
part, she very affectionately said, "Billy,
my dear, when are you going to ask
me to marry you? for / want to get
my dress ready"
Bill tainted on the spot, and harts-
horn and water were applied for half
an hour before he was fully restored.
"What has been the matter, Miss
Lucy?" said Bill
"Oh, nothing much; you tainted
when you cere about to ask me to
marry yo,s-but do not be frightened,
i told you syes'-and oh, how happy
we aciH be when we are married Il
will love you so dearly; and you said
next Tuesday, why, l am willing the
wedding should be then; my dear Billy,
how / do love you!''
81 am willing, Miss Lucy" was all
that Jinkins could articulate, while
Lucv almost kissed him into fits. What
a glorious victory!
Here we ought to stop, but justice to
our narrative requires that we should
proceed to the finale.
The "next Tuesday" had come and
Jinkins was trembling at the approach
of.evcning; something seemed to har-
row up his mind, and to no friend even
would he communicate his deep dis
tress.
"You are not afraid, certainly to 60
up and get married; Why, to such a
beautiful, charming and intellectual
being as Miss Iiggons, / could wish
time would fly like news on the Tele-
graph. Cheer up, Jinkins, cheer up %
Oh" replied Bill, !" you don't know
what distresses me. Lean go and get
married that is easy cl(6ngh, but there
is something-I know it'll feel it,
there is one thing / anlsatisfed / never
will be able to do, unless Lucy will
assist me.
"Explain yourself, . replied his friend,
and if / can with propriety, l will
endaavor to render you comfortable"
But Jinkins could not explain-he
dared motif was his timidity-he saw
the Rubicon before him, and he knew
he could not pass it. but he was deter
mined to get married, and trust to luck
ov~1 7 nov