Litchfield enquirer., 1861-10-03
A(isfelloltl).
MY MERRY LITTLE WIFE.

Nj MERR1 LITTLE WIFE.
 l cannot remember the time when was ill love with Kitty Ploasanton. It must have been when we were both babies. am sure loved her as we sat together by the roadside soaking our dandelion stems in the little puddles of wa. ter to make them curl. My passion was in no wise abatcd, when, somewhat later, climbed cherry-trees at her bidding; nor later yet, when at dancing school l awkwardly made my new learnt bow, and asked her to be my partner nor, 1 am sure, was my boyish passion at all found my sweet little Kitty changed by some undefnable alteration. from lovely child to q bcwitching young woman. She was almost the same as when l parted from her years before the woman was very like the chld-there were the same rosy cheeks, the same pouting inno- cent mouth, the same curling hair, but some charm, grace, or sentiment was added, which made my heart thrill with new emotion as I gazed at her.
 Kitty" said to her one day, after had been at home a week or two, and 1 found l could restrain myself no longer, Kitty, I an, very much in love with you, as you know as we'll as do I've always been in love with you, and l fancy you are in love with me but now want you to promise to marry me-" Ipaused, but now want you to promise to marry me- :
 
 You like me, Kitty, don't you? First tell me- said Kitty, blushing, and with an odd mixture of delight and bashfulness in her face, if you've made me what is called an offer? ?
 'To be sure l have, nay darling' replied, an offer which trust and hope you'll accept
 Don't be too sure of that said Kitty. kitty, you love me?' 1 exclaimed.
 'That s my secret replied the provoking lit tie thing. But at any rate,' she continued, : could not possibly think of accepting the very first offer ever received-I should be mortified if did. No, indeed /; no girl of spirit would dream of accepting her first offer, as if she were afraid she would never have another. Excuse me, James, can't possibly accept you till I've had at least one other offer
 But my dearest Kitty, began. Kitty! Kitty Kittyv she exclaimed will Iconfess I did hope that on my first offer,' the person making it would address me with proper courtesy, and in manner beftting the occasion giving me my name of Catharine but now you've gone and spoiled it all.'
 'Oh, supposed you wanted stiff, ceremo- nious proposal in form,' observed; but am no Sir Charles Grandson, Kitty-Catherine l would say-therefore don't be foolish be con- tent to know, in plain words, that my whole heart is yours; and have the good sense to ae- eept your first offer, since your second may not be so good.
 But in vain were my arguments and reason ings. Kitty was determined not to accept her nrst oner, ana finding her resolute changed my tone' and acquiescing in her views, confessed that, after all, too had certain pride on that point, and should be rather mortified to know that my wife had never had any offer but that had myself made her; and so I promised , tn suspend my suit until Kitty should be SO forth. nate as to receive an offer from some other cuar ter.
 Now, not far from where Kitty dwelt, there was favorite dell, or bower, or something O that kind, to which she daily repaired with some chosen volume to sit and read. All my endeav ors to persuade her to allow me to accompan, her thither, had always been quite in vain. Kit ty was firm in preferring her undisturbed soli tude, and I was daily doomed to an hour or tw' of the mopes during her woodland visit.
 In pursuance with this custom, Kitty set ou soon after the conversation have sketched, de clining, as usual, my offer of companionship.
 Not more than half an hour had elapsed at ter she had reached her favorite seat, ere her at tention was attracted by young gentleman wh' was fishing in the brook which flowed near hel Kitty drew back little, on seeing him, but he