Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-12-11
How Paul "Fell Through in His
Courtship.

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country. he determined to erect build
ing which should be sboth comforta BILE
within and tasteful without. And the
house he built did indeed combine these
very desirable qualities, but much TO his
yexation, when he came TO dig the cellar,
II was found that it filled with water I'M
medately--in short spring had been
struck. 'Weel, weel,' said the canny old
man, desirous Of making the best Of a bad
bargain, I'LL just max guide well, and
the lass'll no bae to gang on. in the cauld
i the winter So the idea of cellar
was therefore given up, although trap
door was left for convenience in obtaining
water. Inside the house was roomy, but
not quite fioished at the date of our s'o.
rv. The stove stood at one end Of the
largest room, the pipe being thrust out Of
a hole near the ceiling, to leave the place
cut for hue for the operations of the
mason. Over this unsightly hole the
guide wife pasted paper TO max it look
snugger lookin',' as she herself remarked.
His daughter Mary, who attended sing
ing-school had just reached the door Of
her fathers dwelling, accompanied by a
young gentleman whom we shall call
Paul Ringlewood. Actuated almost un-
consciously by an mate sense of polite
ness, Mary turned to her companion and
said,
will you come in !"
Paul had not discernment enough to
know that it would be more seemly for
him to take his leave on the spot. He
seemed rather futtered at the invitation,
and as the hour was not very late one
he accepted. They entered, and Paul
was ushered into the large sitting room.
Mr.. NJ was sitting in the dim light
cast from the stove, Mrs. N being in
some other part of the house.
Father said Mary, frankly, this
gentleman is Mr.. Ringlewood, who has
accompanied me from singing school
Paul advanced, and Mary's respected
parent arose, partly for politeness sake
and more, perhaps, TO get better lotk at
the young man who had the bardihood TO
come home with his darling Mary.
Paul Ringlewood, as became fash
ionable young man, had studied to per-
fection the art Of introducing and being
introduced. Locked up in bis own room,
be had practiced the noble art Of gentle
men before large looking glass until he
could have competed with some hope Of
success with Beau Brummel himself |
Now was his time, therefore, to bow bis
very best. Gracefully inclinirg his body,
he touched the horny band of his future
(ntended) father-in.law, and then by
dextrous sliding movement, threw back
his right foot, so as to regain the centre
of gravity. Alack and alas for the un-
fortunate Paul the right foot stood for
the hundreth part Of a moment on moth
ingness it descended, and the graceful,
exquisite, love-smiten Paul Ringlewood,
with the spasmodic gulp Of drowning
man, fell through the open trap door
into farmer Ms wet cellar!
Mrs. N-had gone down the steps
with candle in her hand, and was just {
in the act of drawing a pail Of water
when the descending young gentleman
knocked candle and pail out of her hand
and plunged with dismal splash into the
water. Scrambing up the steps, the good
who was frightened almost out
of her wits, exclaimed
'Gude save US, John, who's that in the
cellar?'
John Che husband) was at first almost
as much astonished as she was at the sud
den but extremely ludicrous termination
Of Paul's bowling, and it was not till the
latter had commenced to cry Justify for
help, that he ran down and assisted our
diluted hero out of his sorry predicament.
Reader, have you ever seen a drown
ed rat? If SO, you can imagine how
Paul looked when he reached the floor.
His superb coat was torn in several pla--
ces, his hat was crushed liz, his CATERS
were filed with water, and the sensation
was decidedly unpleasant as the cold flu
id trickled down his back. And then the
modification of appearing in such plight
before his late companion and her pa
rentsl He almost wished he had drown
ed. However the good old lady prevail
ed upon Kim to remove his wet clothing
in an adjoining room, and don a suit of
Mr.. Ms Canadian grey until his own
should dry. The farmer being brawny
specimen of humanity, the clothing fit {
Paul very much as a sack would and
when he went out to the stove, be had
he rather doubtful satisfaction of seeing ,
Mary sitting laugh at his uncoutb ap- {