The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1860-02-08

ing. She would, therefore, see me OF the
-, at, on certain day, and
if actual appreciation did not follow the
interview, why there was no harm done.
Most people would have put down this
as trap to give me o journey for moth
ing. l did not "A presentiment I'M
PEELED me to accept and keep the engage
ment. 4a
This was in the old coaching days
when man had time to make an 90
quaintance in forty miles, not as now
when you are at your journeys end
before you have looked round your com
pany in q railway carriage. There were
but two inside-myself and q pleasant,
talkative, honest.faced elderly gentleman
Shy and timid in female society, | was
yet esteemed animated and agreeable
enough among my own sex. We had
no trouble, therefore, in making ourselves
agreeable to one another so much SO, that
as the coach approached G., and the
old gentleman learned that meant tc
stop there all night, he asked me to waive
ceremony and have cup Of tea with
him after / had dined at my hotel My
stair engagement" was not till next day
and, as | liked the old gentleman, &C
cepted his offer.
After my pint of sherry, l brushed my
hair and went in search Of my coach
companion and my promised cup of tea.
I had no difficulty in finding him out, for
he was man of substance and some i'm
portance in the place. | was shown into
the drawing room. Ny old friend re-
ceived nae heartily, and introduced me to
his wife and i've daughters "All spin
sters, sir" said he; "young ladies whom
an undiscriminating world seems disposed
to leave upon my hand."
"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 ad-
vortisements.
At the mention Of this last word, l felt
little discomposed, and almost regretted
my engagement for the next day, when
that very night perhaps, my providential
opportunity had arrived.
I need not trouble my readers with all
our sayings and dcings during tea, suffice
it to say, that | found them very pleas
ant, friendly family, and was surprised to
find forgot all my shyness and timidity,
encouraged by their good tempered ease
and conversation. They did not inquire
whether was married or single, forwhere
there were five young minated daugh
ters, the question might seem invidous.
|, however, in the freedom of the moment,
volunteered the Information of my bach
elorhood; / thought had no sooner COM
municated the fact than the girls passed
round a glance of arch intelligence from
one to the other, i cannot tell you how
odd i felt at the moment-my sensations
were between pleasure and confusion, as
a suspicion crossed my mind, and helped,
| felt, to color my cheek. Presently, how
ever, the eldest, with an assumed indiffer-
ence which cost her an effort, asked
where was staying. t
"At the-hotel," answered with some
embarrassment.
1t was with difficulty they restrained
q laugh; they bit their lips, and had no
longer suspicion-I was certain. So,
after having some music, when l arose
to depart / mustered courage, as l bid
them goodbye, to say aside to the cid
est
"Shall p P. consider this the inter
view2"
A blush of conscious gilt, | should
rather say innocence, told me had sent
my random arrow to the right quarter; 80
l pressed the matter no further at that
moment, 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," thought I, brushing my h air and
and adjusting my cravat, "since the
mountain will not come to Mohamet, Mo-
hamet must 60 to the mountain" so
walked across to my old friends. The
young ladies were all in. The eldest
was engaged with some embroidery al
the window. l had, therefore, an op
portunity, as leant over the frame tt
whisper:
rs. S. is not punctual"
The crimson in her face and neck was
now SO Deep that skeptic himself would
no longer doubt. / need say no more
that evening in her fathers garden she
confessed that she and her sisters had
conspired to bring me up to G. on
a FOOLS errand, never meaning, Of course
to keep the engagement"
"Then," said |, "since you designed
to take me in, you must consent to make
me happy"
"And what did she say, papa?" asked
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 hel
word"