Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-07-06

"S'Si-oc'ci% seehihS W eicit my iiaIne,
and still more suggesting places Of meeting,
where ! was to exhibit myself with How-
er in my button-hole and white handker-
chief in my hand. One only looked like
business. 1t was from lady who propos-
ed an interview in neighboring city, about
forty miles north. She said there was
something SO frank and straightforward In
my advertisement, that she was convinced
it was real, and she could rely on my keep
ing her name secret, If after we met
nothing came out of the meeting. She
would therefore see me at the, at,
on a 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 me journey for nothing,
did not A presentiment impelled me to
accept and keep the engagement
This was in the old coaching days, when
man had time to make an acquaintance ic
forty miles, not as now, when you are at
your journeys end before you have looked
round your company in railway carriage.
There were but two inside-myself and a
pleasant taikatjye, honest faced elderly
gentleman. Shy and timid in female soci-
ETY., / was yet esteemed animated and
agreeable amongst my own sex.--We had
no trouble therefore in making ourselves
agreeable to one another; so much so, that
as the coach approached c., and the
old gentleman learned that meant to stop
there that night, he asked me to waive cer-
emony and have cup of tea with him af-
Ter ! had dined at my hotel. My stair en-
gagement'' was not till next day, and, as I
liked the old gentleman l accepted his Of
fer.
After my pint of sherry, / brushed my
hair and went in search of my coach COM
panion and my promised cup of tea. had
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. "All spinsters sir" said
he, "young ladies whom an undiscriminat-
ing world seems disposed to leave upon my
hands"
eff we do not sell, papa" said the eldest,
who with her sisters seem to reflect her
fathers fun, g it is not for want of putting,
for all your introductions are advertise
ments."
At the mention of the last word, felt a
little discomposed, and almost regretted my
engagement for the next day, when that
night, perhaps, my proyidential opportu-
nifty had arrived.
need not trouble my readers with all
our sayings and doings during tea; suffice
it to say that found them very pleasant
friendly family, and was surprised to find !
forgot all my shyness and timidity, encour-
aged by their good-tempered ease and con-
versation. They did not inquire whether
1 was married or single for where there
were FIVE young minated daughters, the
question might seem invidious. ], howev-
er, in the freedom Of the moment, rolun.
teered the information of my bachelorhood
/ thought l had no sooner communicated
the fact than the girls passed round glance
of arch intelligence from one to another.
i cannot tell you how odd felt at the mo.
ment. My sensation was between pleasure
and confusion, as a suspicion crossed my
mind, and helped, l felt to color my cheek
Presently, however, the eldest, with an as
sumed indifference which cost her an effort
asked where was staying.
"At the--hotel." ] answered with
some embarrassment.
II was with difficulty they restrained Q
laugh they bit their lips, and j had nc
longer any suspicion--I was certain. So
after having some music, when L rose to
depart mustered courage, as bid them
good bye, to say aside TO the eldest:
"Shall p P. consider this The interview ?
A blush of conscious guilt l should
: rather say innocence, told me l had SEN
my random arrow to the right quarter Sc
pressed the matter no further at that mo
ment. but did her hand.
remained in at my hotel next day, until
an hour after she appointed time, but nc
, one made their appearance. "Thenf
thought /, brushing my hair and adjusting
my cravat, "since the mountain will moi
come 10 MahoInet, Mahomet must 60 tc
the mountain !" so walked across to my
old friends. The young ladies were all in
The eldest was engaged with some embroi.
dery at the window. ] had therefore On
opportunity, as leaned over the frame tc
whisper:
as. 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 con-
spired to bring me up TO Con fools
errand. never meaning, Of course, 10 keep