Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1861-04-12

| the slightest reason to suspect the ma
ture of'my feelings towards her-to take
the journey, and if time. did not al ter
my heart when I returned, to offer by
self to her. 1 went on my journey
visited all noted places--mingled. in
company as much as possible-trfi led
with the ladies in a fashionable way;
still, though surrounded with beauty in
every engaging form--though fattered
and caressed--after all a thought of
Maria caused throb, which none of the
lovely around me could create. Her
image kept last hold on my heart, and
would not leave it. Finding, after an
absence of six months that the complaint
which caused me to leave home increased
rather than diminished, I hastened my
return, and arrived home on the afe4e%
said first of January.
When | reached Maria's place of
abode and began to ascend the steps in
front Of the house, my heart quailed a
little. l began to grow faint heated,
and to think in which manner should
"pop the question I regretted tlat [
had not studied my part before [ left
home [ hesitated as | took hold Of the
bell knob-my breath grew shorter, and
my nerves shook. [ was relinqubhing
my hold with the intention of taking a
short stroll around the square to think
over what to say-in fact, [ get half
way down the steps, thinking [ would
put off my declaration till another time
when the thought of George and his
wife, and the pleasant evenings we
should have together, fixed my wa
vering heart. So, with renewed deter
mination, I turned and ran up che steps,
opened the door and proceeded to the
parlor. - -.- .'4r~ = -r.'.-...-
As good luck would have it, there sat
Maria on the sofa, all alone, looking as
bewitching as an angel. She blushed
as she arose and joyfully extended her
hand. I gave it hearty shake, and
squeezed it-you know how, reader, [
dare say. | was almost tempted to do
violence by kissing it, but thinking it
would seem sweeter after the trembling
Yes had been said, [ refrained.
GLOW glad I am that you have re-
turned, said she, "and how improved
you look!'
This was said in such tone of af-
fection that [ began to con over an an
swer, which would weaken the ice, and
give her hint Of what was coming.
Yes" " [ replied, II feel wonderfully
improved; and it appears to me, - con-
tinued, "there is also an improvement in
your ppearance-you-"
but how were you pleased with
your journey?'' iptcrrupting me, while
Il delicate flush passed over her cheeks,
'Edid you not meet some Southern beauty,
who weaned your heart from your native
place."
Here was fine opening.
"No, Maria, home is home, and ever
dear. I must confess, however, shat [
was greatly pleased with the ladies of
the South, yet | saw none who would
compare with the girls of my own town.
As for being weaned from home, my
heart is too strongly bound to the scenes
of my birthplace, and to the friends Of
my childhood to fear that. These are
affections, my dear Maria, that cling to
the heart, and will not forsake you, be
you where you may, or your situation
what it may
Here stuck for moment. Think
ing if neglected to strike fire, I should
never gather courage to speak again, l
took her willing hand, and, as the mo-
ments were precious-for felt my cour
age oozing out commenced:
~ feel truly happy, finding you alone
this evening; [ have something for your
private ear You will excuse my blunt
ness-my intention in calling on you
this evening, Miss Maria, was
The door at this moment opened, and my
friend Adams walked into the room. [
sprang up, aud seizing his extended
hand, gave him cordial grasp, although
from the bottom Of my heart [ wished
him anywhere else, at that moment, than
where he was After we were seated,
we begun to talk on common topics
Shortly after, [ thanked him for remem-
bering NE in the distribution of his bri-
dal cake.
"Oh," said he, s'that was wife, do
ings; you must thank her for that
''Indeed, husband, l knew not Of our
friends return until you told me of it. -
sHusband!-wifel' Gracious heavens!
Had a thunderboTt fell at my feet at
the moment | should not have been more
astonished than when | heard those
words. | started from my seat my
brain reeled, and sudden faintness
came over me- Ishould have fallen had
I not been supported by Maria and
George-Mr. and Mrs. Adams.
''My dear friend, what is the matter?"
exclaimed both, as [ began to revive.
"Nothing-nothing at all, )" l replied,
''only touch of-my old complaint
dizziness!'' AS revived, added, with
your leave | will retire"
They urged me strongly to stay-were
fearful [ might have a second attack on
the way home, etc, but in vain. When
| stood in the entry, waiting to bid them
good night, [ trembled like an aspen;
and it was with the greatest difficulty
| made out to utter, " Mrs. Adams
good evening" 1t nearly choked me-
When [ got home, and within my room,
the first thing [ did was to throw Maria S
wedding cake into the fre-frosting and
all; and, moreover, [ drove large ten
penny nail through the card into the
bed post, and then went to bed. [ was
confined to my chamber seven days with
fever, at the end of which time | got
about again. am now quite reconciled
to my fate, and can say Mrs. Adam"
without hardly stammer.
4 4: i x i: X
Reader, the moral If you are in love,
so instantly and offer yourself. Learn
from this the danger of procrastiDation.