Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1863-03-12

have been through my little foliies. at
the time asked the delicate question.
| I had returned from a rambling journey
along the southern shores of Europe. -
1.-The world was not altogether strange to
me, and confess that, regarding. wo-
linen, I had grown somewhat pathetic.
| But these hearts Of ours are stangely
combustiblo. A pair Of beautiful eyes
are as dangerous to them as lighted
match to a powder magazine; and, if |
might venture to advise any bachelor
friend of twenty three, or thereabouts.
who thinks he is proof against feminine
arts and graces, | should bumbly re-
mind him of that ancient stage direct
ion' for the Comedy Of life. Don't crow
till you are out of the" woods
It was, remember, a pleasant after
lnoon in summer. 1t had been raining,
but the clouds were gone. and sunshine
once more flooded the fragrant air, and
plistened on the foliage. l had dressed
myself for walk, aud was just leaving
the porch before my fathers house when
glancing down the street, discovered
a very pretty young lady-also out for
a walk-who was advancing towards the
spot. where I stood looked a. her.
and-well, felt ashamed Of myself. |
felt as if I'd been detected; but in what
l didn't know. There was destiny in
it. Under ordinary circumstances, q
pair of beautiful blue eyes would have
been simply beautiful blue eyes, and
shou 'dn't have looked twice at them
But these were not ordinary circu ,nstan- :
ces, and looked several times l may
saw did not lca"e off looking am
morally sure that l blushed indeed
she subsequently informed me that such
was the fact. But, whether did or moi
my appearance was no doubt suftic' nh
ridiculous; and the roguish twist OF he
pretty lips. as she passed me, seemed t.
indicate that she was fully aware of it
I stood perfectly still for Eve minutes
Then the sound of merry laugh awok'
me. looked up and saw my sistel
Annie ut the open window. For some
reason which Idid not Immediately ap.
preciate. she was in high state OF de-
light. When the spoke, l perceived
that she had witnessed this little pauto
mine, aud was laughing at me. It oc
CURED to me to delay my walk for lit
tie conversation with my sister Annie.
Robert. said she. are you much hurt
(H was Mercutio veiu-only hu-no
aoomanized.)
Iwent into the parlor.
Auuie, said /, that girl shall be my.
wife.
Nonsense
: Itell you she shall. I'm in earnest
Commonly it takes two to make bar
gain, Robert.
1 Hooked at my reflection in o mirror
Yes. she said, you're not an ugly look
y ing fellow, But then there is a pa ant
Il ma. Besides, you don't know the girl
It All the pas in the kingdom shou)dn'
a prevent nv marrying a girl l loved
d I'd wai over IL regiment 0t--.
; Pun on the pas. Robert, See that
, you don't make a faun pas in your wall
!. ing know the lady.
Y Yo do?
I To be sure 1 do
= Annie, said l, with solemni'y, yor
It must Introduce ne to this most bewitch
i. lug of young women. without delay.
n The bright face Of my sister became
!, grave. Robert, said sbe~-and very
l. s. fly she said it-are you quite in earn
IS est, now!
1t l am sincerely in earnest. (Stroni
l expression
= Well. then, tomorrow evening w
3 will 60 TO prayer meeting.
We will, eh? (Ssartling sensation
Yes, she is usually present on those
" occasions; and, as I don't know her vel
t enough to call or TO invite her here. We
t must do next the best thing, Robert.
You shall manage as you think best
Annie. Now I'm going to take my
{ walk.
= Saying which. I left my little siste'
playing with the rotes at the window
: and went out as I walked down the
: street, an old Scottish ryme Aoated in
. to my reverie
: He either fears his fate too much,
Or his deserts are small,
Who dares not put 1t to the touch,
, To win or lose 1t all.
During the whole Of next day my
thoughts were Of devotional character
tried to read but pair Of blue eyes
danced over every page. | tried to med
itate, but every train of thought ran
directly to the sacred precincts of the
church. | do not remember a'y period
in the course of my life when | have
looked upon such building with an iu
tcrest SO peculiar, or more devotedly
longed to be there. But evening came
at last. and with temporary relief to
my suspense They were solemn and
impressive services. no doubt. The SER
mon related lowell, never mind that !!
You don't care what the sermon related
to, and. TO be frank. couldn't tell you
if should try So perhaps d better
not try. My though were preoccupied.
l did not fix my attention steadfastly on
the officiating clergyman. as perhaps, l
ought to have doue. As Hamlet chose
betwixt his mother and the lady Ohelia.
so | did choose betwlxt the reverend
L. F.. ~ .t,,1