Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1859-12-17
DECEMBER II. 1859.

=4I--1-sA4 A4AS AssS AS1NS .
she was convinced it was real, and she
could rely upon my keeping her name Sc
/ cret, if after we met nothing came of the
meeting. She would, therefore, sec me at
the -, at ---, Ola certain day, and
if mutual appreciation did not follow the
Interview, why there was no harm done.
Most people would have put down this as
trap to give niea a journey for nothing.
did not. preScntimcnt impelled me to
accept and keep the engagement
This was in old coaching days, when a
man had time to make an acquaintance in
forty miles, not as now, when YOU are at
ed round'your company in railway car
riage. There were but two insiders-my-
self aud pleasant, talkative, honest-fuced
elderly gentleman. Shy and timid in fe-
male society, was yet esteemed, ami
mated and agreeable enough amongst my
own sex. We had no trouble, therefore,
in making ourselves agreeable enough to
one another; SO much so, that as the
coach approached c., and the old gen
tleman learned that meant to stop there
that night, he asked me to waive ceremony
and have cup of tea with him after had
dined at my hotel. Ny ''flir engagement
was not till next day, and rs liked the
old gentleman, accepted his offer.
After my pint of sherry, brushed my
hair and went in search Of my coach COM
panion and my promised cup of tea. Ihad
no difficulty in finding him out, for he was
man of substance and some Importance
in the place. was shown into the draw
ing-room. My old friend received me
heartily, and introduced me to his wife and
five daughters. :sAll spinsters, SIR" said
he; "young ladies whom an undiscrimi-
mating world seems disposed to leave upon
my hands,"
''If we don't sell, papa, said the eldest,
who with her sisters seemed to reflect her
fathers fun, "it is not for want of putting,
for all your introductions are advertise
mcnts."
AT the mention of this last word, felt n
little discomposcd, and almost regretted
my engagement for the next day, when that
very night, perhaps, my providential OPP
portunity had arrived.
l need not trouble my readers with all
our sayings and doings during tcn suffice
it to say that found them u very pleasant,
friendly family, and was surprised to fnd
forgot all my shyness and timidity, en-
couraged by their good tempered ease and
conversation. They did not enquire whc-
ther was married or single, for where
there were five young minated daughters,
the question might seem invidiouS. l,
however, in the freedom of the moment,
volunteered the information of my batche-
lorhOod; / thought had no sooner cOmmu-
nicated the fact than the girls passed round
the glance of arch intelligence from one to
the other. cannot tell you how odd felt
at the moment. My sensations were be-
tween pleasure and confusion, as n suspi-
cion crossed my mind, and helped, felt,
to color my cheek. Presently, however,
the eldest, with an assumed Indifference
which cost her an effort, asked where |
was staying
"At the - hotel" answered with
some embarrassment.
1t was with difficulty they restrained q
laugh they bit their lips, and had. no
longer n suspicion-I was certain. So,
after having some music, when rose to
depart ] mustered courage, as bid them
good bye, to say aside to the eldest:
"Shnll P. 2. consider this The interview"
y blush of conscious guilt, I should
rather say innocence, told me had sent
my random arrow to the right quarter; so
l pressed the matter no further at that mo-
mcut, but | did her hand
remained in at my hotel next day, until
an hour after the appointed time, but no
one made their appearance. "Then, y
thought I, brushing my hair and adjusting
my cravat, ''since the mountain will not
come to Mahomet, Mahomet must 20 to
the mountain :" SO walked across to my
old friends. The young ladies were all in.
The eldest was engaged with some embrof-
derry at the window. had, therefore, an
opportunity, as lent over the frame, to
whisper:
as. S. is not punctual.'
The crimson in her face and neck was
now so deep that skcptic himself would
no longer doubt. need say no more
that evening in her fathers garden, she
confessed that she and her sisters had con-
spired to bring me up to c. on fools
errand, never meaning, of coursesc, to keep
the engagement.
"Then," said I, "sincc you designed to
happy ~
'.And what did she say, papa?" asks my
second daughter, who is now looking over
my shoulder as write.
"Why, you little goose, she promised to
be your mamma, and she has kept her
word. Once q Week.
T. H. LOGAN. RH. LIST C. HUBBARD