The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-02-19

happy victim of her practical jokes.
/ requested Emma to take off that un-
becoming veil, but before she could ans
wer, Kitty said she had sudden attack
Of neuralgia, and must keep it on for tear
of getting more cold. | made no more
ado. but took her to the deck. AS we
passed through the saloon imagined
heard the sound Of smothered laughter
several times, but L., mediately thought 1T
must be the creaking of some OF the ma
chnery of the steamer.
led her to seat, where we had fine
view Of the scenery On both sides OF the
river, and seated myself beside her in my
most graceful attitude. Il had practice
it before starting until learned 1T per-
fectly.)
She seemed to know what was coming,
for she was very quiet.
| had heard great deal about the dis
agreeable task Of popping the question" F"
and, with my usual forethought, had pre-,
pared my speech beforehand. "Now,"
thought |, is the time" So commence
ed: $50
"Emma, these waters remind me Of life;
sometimes it glides smoothly, and some
times it is disturbed by storms. Emma"
And here stopped, having forgotten
the next clause. | felt in my breast-pock-
ct for my speech. 1t wasn't there, nor in
any of my other pockets.
Now what was to do. Suddenly | re-
membered having read in some novel that
deeds were better than words; so | got UP
closer to her, and put my around her waist
She did not resist, but was seized with an
uncomfortable fit Of coughing.
1t stopped presently; and taking hel
neatly-gloved hand in mine. l commen
ced at the next part of my speech that
remembered
"Emma don't you think a person il
happier married than single Suppose
for instance, wanted to get married {"
Here she gave deep sob.
"She thinks, poor childP said to my
self, that l am going to marry some on'
else.
However, took it as a good sign, an(
drew nearer to her.
"Emms, dearest angel, you love me, anC
/ am happy"
Here she gave another sob.
'Loyeliest Of lovely women, you do no
deny it. l swear, by the stars and moon
and the sun that looks SO lovingly on US
that | love you, and you only. VIII yo
be my mate For am IA poor lost dov
waiting for kindred spirit to cherish un
til death"
This is part of the speech which cam
into my mind just at the right moment.
At this interesting point she becam
very much affected, for she put her hand
kerch,et under her veil, anu soDbed aloud
When she stopped, continued
Emma, my own Leautl1ul dove, wi
! you promise to love me alwdys?
I neard a very faint. Yes from unde
that odlous vel, yet twas distinct enoug
. for me to hear. / took her hand. Sh
did not resist
, "Dear, devoted one" said l, in an IRE
sistubiy sweet voice, will you not Civ
: ME one token Of your love? Will you no
grant me one kiss from those lips that vi
with the cherry in sweetness and beauty!
Z "Yes, love, was all 1 could hear bu
+ that was enough.
L Tore dSIue ludt Ilalelui N6ll kSAc na
kept it down during the whole atfair) an
y klssed-ilarry 1alpotl There was n
mlstake-or rather, 1T was all Il mistake
! 1or there he SIT, laus ching as though b
d would 80 into hys1er.cs.
> L rushed towards the door, and there
Il met with such "a reception as never Wi
o honored with before. Inc whole ship
crew were there, who had been kept fro
o. gong outside while was making thi
:, da-n no, mean that declaration OF love
l. man.
= tried to run the blockade, but was r
!. ceived with shouts OF laughter from q
n sides.
4 AS soon as the turmoil ceased in son
n degree, those little she-devtls, Kitty al
r. Emma, came up and offered their co
r. gratulations; at which piece Of silly no
in sence everybody commenced laughil
D. again.
ID The doors and passage ways were crow
ed with servants and waters, who seem'
,e to enjoy the miserable joke as much
their betters.
&C Harry afterwards told me that Kitty h
the next room to mine at the hotel; a
c- as the partitions were thin, she heard !
to telling my chum my love-secret, and hea
ma him advise me to write the "declaratio
SO out on paper in due form. She had ma
ly aged to get it; but just before the b.
20 landed, she apologized for taking it, a
n gave it back to me, saying, as she did
T. that she thought she had better retu
ks it, as 1 might have occasion to use
ma again" :,
Now, reader, do you blame me for h
,ot ing women? Although | cannot help
nv (and you can see yourself that there al
at particle of eonceit in my nature), il
ke, say, if they don't hate in return.