Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-09-08
SHOPPING VS.. MATRIMONY.
A WARNING TO LADIES.


Why did you never think of mar
riage 2" asked Of my friend Lyman Rob
bins who is some ten years older than
myself and a confirmed bachelor.
4" have thought of it,, said he.
"Well, why didn't you marry, then 2"
al will ,ell you. You know Frank
Palmer, don't you y
Yes he failed last week to the tune
twenty thousand dollars. But what has
that to do with your story Z"
Something as you VIII see. l was
never seriously tempted to make propo
sal but once, and that was to Franks wife
before she was married, do you under
stand ?"
"Oh !" said |, growing interested. -
"And why didn't you 2"
You shall know was young and
romantic at that time-she was beautiful
and accomplished. We were thrown to-
gether in society, and 1 was just at the
age to yield to her fascination. Though
l had never expressed my love in words,
l suppose my looks betrayed me, and l
was quite sure that she was aware of my
feeling towards her Our families being
something intimate, we were on the same
footing and she treated me in the same
co lidential manner us she would favor
ite comt."
"Do you think" inquired, " that she
was in love with you 2"
"No, said he I; " never thought that.
1 presume, however, she would have liked
to have lured me on to declaration, and
then would have acted as fancy dictated
One day, when | had Il morning call and
was retiring, she told me she was going
out shopping and laughingly proposed to
lie to go with her and carry the bundles.
Having nothing of Importance to take up
my mind, and not being averse to the
proposal partly on account Of its novelty
and considerably, rather suspect on ac-
count of the agreeable character of the
company ! should have, consented in
the same spirit, and in few minutes we
were fairly en- route"
"But / have little to buy" said my
companion. " You may congratulate
yourself upon that, as you will have the
less to carry"
We made our first visit to dry goods
establishment.
"Haye you any lace colars?' inquired
Caroline. A large quantity were dis
played, but they were only five dollars in
price, and they were too cheap. AT length
one was found at seven dollars, with
which, being declared the best in the
store, my companion at length professcd
herself satisfied and decided to take it
81 suppose" said she on going out
"that | don't really need it, but it was
so beautiful could not resist the tempta
ton. "
A beautiful shawl at the door OF n store
next caught Caroline's attention.
II must certainly go in and look Al
their shawls, said She, " never saw any
precisely like them"
New kind ~ said she to the clerk
eyes, Miss, just imported from France
warranted TO surpasS in lirmness of tex
ture and durability any now cXtant VIII
you have one Z"
"The price ~
Seventy-liye dollars, aud cheap Il
that"
Caroline was startled at this announce
ment
"That is high, . said she.
j." Not for the quality. Just feel of it
: set how soft it is, aud you will not call
! expensive"
Il did not think Of getting one TO day
however, think must. You may charg
it to my father. suppose father wi
scold," said Caroline "but it's such
. beauty"
We reached ere long another dry good
! store, the placard ofwhich, selling of Il
u cost, proved so seductive that we at ono
It stayed our steps and entered. Carolin
q rushed to examine the silks the fir:
ID specimen offered, which, to my unprac
ticed eye, seemed of a superior qualit.
was cast contemptuously aside, and 81
desired to see the best they had in Il
store. Some were shown her at two do
- lars and half per yard.
er After while she ordered twelve yart
by to be cut off for her. This was done, al
the bundle handed to me. The bill,
| ~