The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-12-06
"one good point in her character, at any


rate" said the third marine.
"Just like the sex.'' said the second marine
"Ah! she was stunner," continued Jenkyns,
ssyou should have heard that girl whistle, and
laugh--you should have heard her laugh. She
was truly delightful companion. We rode
together, drove together, fshed together, walk
ed together, danced together, sang together |
called her Fanny, and she called me Tom. All
this could have but one termination, you know
fell in love with her, and determined to take
the first opportunity of proposing. So one day,
when We were OF tngether fishing on the lake,
went down on my knees amongst the ghdg-
cons, seIzed her hand, pressed it to my waist
coat, and in burning accents entrealed her to
be mY wife.
Sc Don't be fool :" she said Now drop it,
do! and put me fresh worm on."
"Oh! Fanny" exclaimed, ssdonr talk about
worms when marriage is in question. Only
say"
81 tell you what 1t is, now,' she replied, an
grily, elf you don't drop it PiI pitch you out
Of the boat"
GentIemen,' said Jenkyns, with strong
emotion, g did drop it and / give you my
word of honor, with shore she sent me flying
into the water; then seizing the sculls, with
stroke or two she put several yards between us,
and burst into fit OF laughter that fortunately
prevented her from going any further. swan
up and climbed into the boat. 'Jenkyns,' said
l to myself, Revenge! Revenge!' l disguised
my feelings. laugheG-hideous mockery OF
mirth--I laughed. Pulled 10 the bank, went
to the house, and changed my clothes. When
| appeared at The dinner table, perceived that
every ole had been informed of my ducking-
universal laughter greeted me. During dinner
Fanny repeatedly whispered TO her neighbor,
and glanced at me. Smothered laughter Iaya-
riably followed 'Jenkynsp said |, 'Revengen
The opportunity soon offered There was to
be a balloon ascent from the lawn, and Fanny
had tormenied her father into letting her ascend
with the aronaut. | instantly took my plans;
bribed the eronaut TO plead Illness at the mo-
msnt when the machine should have risen ;
learned from him the management of the BAL
loon, though / understood that pretty well be-
fore, and calmly waited the result. Tbs day
came. The weather was fine. The balloon
was inflated. Fanny was in the car. Every
thing was ready, when the 9ronaut suddenly
tzinted. He was carried into the house, and
Sir George accompanied him I'd see that he was
properly attended to. Fanny was in despair.
s'Am TO lose my air expedition ?" she ex
claimed, looking over the side OF the car, ssome
one understands the management of this thing,
surely Nobody Tom!' she called out to me,
'you understand it,, don't you 9
sc Perfectly" :" answered.
"Come along, then :" she cried, 'sbe quick !;
before papa comes back"
s'The company in general endeavored to dis
suade her from her project, but oil course in
vain. After a decent show of hesitation,
climbed into the car. The balloon was cast
off, and rapidly sailed heavenward. There was
scarcely breath of wind, and we rose almost
straight up. We rose above the house, and she
laughed, and said:
SHOW jolly"
'FWe were higher than the highest trees when
she smiled, and said It was very kind of me 10
come with her. We were so high that the
people below looked like mere specks, and she
hoped that thoroughly understood the man
agement of the balloon. Now was my time.
81 understand the going up part" | answer
ed e.; eto come down is not so easy" and |
whistled.
''What do you mean!" she cried.
"Why, when you want to go up faster, you
throw some sand overheard replied, suIting
the action to The word.
'sDon't be foolish, Tom," she said, trying to
appear quite calm and indifferent, but trembling
uncommonly.
''FoolSh!" said ooh, dear, no! but wheth-
er l go along The GROUND or up in the air, like
TO go this pace, and so do you, Fanny, know.
Go it, you crpples!" and over went another
sand-bag.
sWhy, you're mad, SURELY" she whispered
in utter terror. and tried to reach the bags, but
kept her back.
''Only with love, my DEAR" 7 answered,
smiling pleasantly. ''only with love for you,
Oh, Fanny, / adore you Say you will be my
wife,
81 gave you my answer the other day." she
replied; some should have thought you would
have remembered,'' she added, laughing little,
notwithstanding her terror.
81 renember it perfectly" l answered, ''but
intend TO have different reply to that. You
see those five sand-bags, l shall ask you five
times to become my wife. Every time you re-
fuse l shall throw over a sand bag-so, lady
fair, as the cabmen wowld say, reconsider your
decision, and consent 10 become Mrs Jenkyns
81 WON'T" she said; 81 never will and, let
me- tell you, that you are acting in very un-
gentlemanly way to press me thus"
"You acted IN very lady-lIke way The other
day, did you not" rejolned, "~hen you knock
ed me out of The boat ~ She laughed again,
for she was pIucky girl, and no mistake-a
very plucky girl. "However," l went on,
sits no good arguing about twill you prom
ise to give me your handa"
"Never!" she answered; I'll go 10 Ursa
Major first, though Pve got big enough bear
here, in all conscience. Stay! you'd prefer A
quarius, wouldn't you?"
'sShe looked SO pretty that was almeSt IN
cIined to let her off Il was only trying TO fright
en- her, Of course-I knew how high we could