Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-02-12

L regretted that L had not studio
: my part before / left home. l he:
tated as I took hold of the bell nc
my breath grew shorter, and N
! nerves shook. l was relinquishin
my hold with the intention of t.
: king short stroll around the squa1
to think over what to say-in faC
l got half way down the step
thinking 1 would put off my decla
alton till another time-when tn
thought of George, his wife, and th
pleasant evenings we should hav
together, fixed my wavering heart
So, with renewed determination
turned and ran up the steps, open
ed the door and proceeded to tn
parlor.
| As good luck would have it, ther,
| sat Maria on the sofa, all alone, look
ling as bewitching as an angel. Sht
blushed as she arose and joyfully
extended her hand. l gave it {
hearty shake and squeezed it-yoU
know how, reader, l dare-say. | wal
almost tempted to do violence by
kissing it, but thinking it would
seem Sweeter after the trembling
Yes" had been said, I refrained.
How glad I am that you have
returned, said she, "and how i'm
proved you look p
This was said in such a tone of
affection that | began to con over
an answer, which would weaken the
ice, and give her hint of what was
coming.
yes" 1 replied, Ifeel wonderfully
improved; and it appears to me, l
continued, there is also an improve
ment in your appearance-you"
But how were you pleased with
your journey? interrupting me,
while delicate flush passed over
her checks, "did you not meet some
Southern beauty, who weaned your
heart from your native place ?"
Here was fine opening.
"No Maria, home is home, and ever
dear. l must confess, however, /
was greatly pleased with the ladies
of the South, yet I saw none who
would compare with the girls of my
own town. As for being weaned
from home, my heart is too strong
ly bound to the scenes of my birth
place, to the friends of childhood to
fear that. There are affections, my
dear Maria, that cling to the heart,
and will not forsake you, be you
where you may, or your situation
what it may
Here [ stuck for a moment
Thinking if I neglected to strike
fire, I should never gather courage
to speak again, [ took her willing
hand, and, as the moments were
precious-for | felt courage oozing
out commenced:
II feel truly happy, finding you
alone this evening; I have something
for your private ear. You will ex-
cuSe my bluntness-my intention in
calling on you this evening Miss
Maria, was"
The door at this moment opened,
and friend Adams walked into the
room. I sprang up and seized his
extended hand, gave him cordial
grasp, although from the bottom of
my heart I him wished any where
than where he was. After we were
seated. we begun to talk on COM
mon topics. Shortly after, l thank
ed him for remembering me in the
of his bridal cake.
"Oh," said he, "that was my wife's
doings; you must thank her for
that"
Indeed husband, 1 knew not of
our friends return until you told me
of it."
Husband !-wifel Gracious heav-
ems I"
Had thunderbolt fallen at my
feet at the moment | should not have
been more astonished than when l
heard those words. | started from
my seat-my brain reeled, and a
sudden faintness came over me.
should have fallen, had 1 not been
supported by Maria and George
Mr.. and Mrs. Adams.
"My dear friend what is the mat
ter ?" exclaimed both, as began to
revive.
''Nothing-nothing at ALL" l re-
piled, "only touch of nay old COM
plaint-a dizziness ]" AS I revived,
l added, with your leave I will re-
tire"
They urged me strongly to stay
fearing / would have a sec
ond attack on the way home &c.
but in vain. While I stood jim the
entry, waiting to bid them good
night, l trembled like an aspen; and
was with the greatest difficulty I
made out to utter. MRS. Adams
good evening"" When 1 got home
and within my room, the first thing
[ did was to throw Maria's wedding
cake into the fire-frosting and all;
and moreover, l drove a tenpenny
nail through the card into the bed
post, and then went to bed. L was
confined to my chamber seven days
with a fever, at the end of
which time I got about agian. [ am
now quite reconciled to my fate, and
can say "Mrs. Adams" without hard
ly stammer.
Reader, the moral: If YOU are in
love, go instantly and offer yourself.
Learn from this, the danger of pro-
crastination.
Emancipation in Maryland
The subject of emancipation is now upper
most with the people of Maryland. They are