The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-03-08
A story of Leap Year.

day in dishabille. His beard was unshaven,
bis hair was uncombed, his boots were un-
BACKED, and he was leaning back in pic
turesque attitude against. the mantle piece
smoking cigar. Sam thought to himself
that it was leap year, and glories it would be
if the ladies could only be induced to pop
the question in accordance with their an
cient privileges. As he sat watching the
smoke which so gracefully curled, his fam
cy gowed with the idea. How delightful IT
would be to have the dear creatures fondlnc
on him, and with tender glances endeavoring
to do the agreeable, As he mediated his
heart softened, and he began to feel a
squcamish, womanish senslbiity d'ffuse it.
self over his feelings, and he thought he
would faint with propriety the first time a
young lady would squeeze his hand.
Rap, rap, rap, sounded at the door,
"Mercy," exclaimed he, 'f here isn't Miss
Jones, and | all in dishabillc and looking
like frght-goodness gracious L must go
right away and fix myself up"
As he left the room. Miss Jones entered,
and with a composed air intimated that she
would wait. Miss Susan Jones was a firm
believer in womans rights, and now that
the season was proportions, she determined
to take advantage thereof, and do little
courtin,y on her own hook.
u-oc ON e ~
had been unspured bv the tyrant, man, and
she was determined to assert her rights, in
spite Of the. hollow formalities of a false sys-
TEN ofsociety.
Meanwhile with p,lpitating heart, Sam
Smith went through series of personal
adornments. The last twist was given to
his collar, the last curl to his whiskers, and
with white cambrick in hand, he descended
to the parlor. Miss Jones rushed to receive
him, and, grasping his hand with fervor,
said: Dearest, how beautiful you look"
accompanying her words with glance Of un-
disguised admiration.
'Spare the bushes Of modest Young
man. said Sam, applying the cambrick to
his face to hide his confusion.
"Nay, my love, why 50 coy - said Susan;
turn not away those lavely eyes, dark as
| the jet but sparkling as the diamond Lis
ten to the VOWS OF fond affection. Here let
rs rest" said shc, drawing him to a sofa,
here with my arm round thee, will protest
my true affection"
'Ieave me, oh ieavc,' murmered Sam,
"think ofmy youth in experience-spare, oh,
spare my palpitating heart"
leave thee" said Susan, pressing him
closer to her, never until the story of rest
less nights, ofunquiet days, of aspirations,
fond emotions, and undying love, is laid be-
fore thee. Know that for years | have
nursed for thee secret passion. Need |
tell how eaci, manly beauty moved me,
how wo-shiped like sm-hower in the
lurid light of those flowing tresses how |
was willing to yield up to thee that ''imperi-
al; "thy manners so modest, so delicate, en-
chanted me-joy to me for thy joy was my
joy. My heart is thine-take it but first
let me snatch one kiss from those ruby
| lips"
The overwrought feelings of the delicate
youth were to strong, and he tainted from
excess of joy. Meanwhile the enamored
maiien hung foadly over him, and
Slowly the eyes of Samuel Smith opened
he gazed wildly around him--then meeting
the ardent gaze of his lover" he blushed
deeply, and behind his 'kerchief family fal-
tered out-ask my pa"