The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-01-28
Ge!cfte0 misfellanp.
LOVES REFORM.

The other morning I was disturbe at
the unseemly hour of nine, by the an.
nouncement that Frank Laxby had called,
and was DESTROYS of seeing me-
Twas rather surprised at this informa
ton, and was considering whether it was
more probable that my friend had stop.
ped out four hours later or had risen three
hours earlier than was his wont, when the
door opened, and in he walked, with an
expression of calm benignity in bis coun-
tenance, which left no doubt of his having
had his requisite amount Of sleep. Be
sides this, he had a flower in his button.
hole, instead of a cigar in his mouth
which latter would of course have been
the case had he been treating the sober
hour OF nine a. m. in an unbecoming
manner, and as if it were merely late
hour of the night.
Has anything serious happened ?" said
|, as soon as I had offered Frank seat,
" or have you turned somnambulist, and
walked down here in your sleep?"
NO" ne replied, quite in his usual tone
and manner; but | knew you were only
coming to town last night, and wanted
particularly TO see you as soon as possible
afterwards. Besides, I had another very
good reason for getting up before twelve
this morning"
What was that?" I inquired
1t is rather long story" he an
swered; "but if you will order breakfast
| will repeat 1t to you"
Il accept the bribe," I exclaimed, ring
ing the bell.
Three months ago, then," commenced
Frank, my father made me, what con-
sldered at the time, a very unreasonable
proposition. He suggested that should
get married"
Here the servant entered with the
breakfast things, and even he could not
help smiling at the absurdity of such a
suggestion to such man.
"The notice appeared to me-" contin-
ued Frank, q as it now appears to you, to
be an absurd one, and I limited as much to
my respected parent. Instead of agree
ing, however, to what said, he did that
which [ had no right to expect from SO
near relative-he asked me what reasons
[ could show for supporting my objec-
tons"
HE might as we'll have asked you
your reasons for drinking too much pale
ale" | remarked.
q drink very little of it now," he said,
and, without needing my Unsurpassed
establishment, he pulled out his watch
(that watch from which he used to be so
often parted and observed, that as he
had but little time to spare, he should feel
obliged by my not interrupting him too
often IN his narrative Having obtained
my implied acquiescence on this point, he
continued as follows:
81 was unwilling to undertake regu-
lar attack on the holy state in the presence
of my own father. |, however, endeav-
ored TO explain to him that I wished, for
some time at least to pursue the life of a
very independent gentleman, and that
matrimony had no part in the programme
of that career.
My father calculating on an averice
which do not possess, informed me that
the lady he should suggest possessed un-
told wealth, though, by-the-bye, [ distinct
ly remember his telling me of it on pre-
yious occasion. | explained to him that
my contempt for riches was considerable
to which he replied, that he hoped / did
not, at all events, entertain a similar feel
ing towards the paternal opinion.
"Of course l was too dutiful to answer
my parent in a spirit of caudor, and my
flial behavior on this point led to request
that would allow myself to be introduced
to the lady to whom he wished to pay the
compliment of offering me as husband.
It appeared that she possessed beauty to a
considerable extent, and, although the belle
herself had never seen me, it was not sup
posed for an instant, either by my father
or myself, that she could have the least OBJ.
lection.
AZ delayed giving a final answer; be-
cause, being anxious to obtain money be-
yond my usual allowance, I thought re-
spect and civility would best become me-
At last there was no help, and 1 was
obliged to decline being led, like perfect
sheep, to the altar: upon which my father
limited that should take a speedy depart
ure from his residence, and not trouble my
self about calling again until l was pre-
pared for the alarming sacrifice; adding,
in tone evidently meant to be insulting,
that he shouldn't wonder if my feelings
were already engaged"
"And were they?" inquired
"They were in part" continued Frank
stbut not TO the extent which the old boy
imagined. About a fortnight previous to
the conversation which / have repeated
having heard a great deal about the ad
yantages of early rising. determined to
try it, anxious, as I always have been, to
experience every sensation sanctioned by
morality and custom. Well, l tried it
got up at half-past eight, walked to Ken
sington Gardens, and soon met with the
advantage in the shape of a young lady
who was not only exceedingly pretty
which l. the case with many English
women, but moreover exceedingly well
dressed. which is the case with very few
of them.
"The Goddess of Early Rising was
sitting on one Of the benches, reading g
book. She continued reading while l was
passing, which l thought unkind per
haps, however, it was only to show he1
7yelashes. 1t would have been more thar
-ude-it would have been absurd-for me
o have addressed her, as she was attended
oy an evil spirit, whom I should have
supposed to be her companion, were i
1ot that she appeared to be treated will
consideration and kindness.
Il liked early rising so much the frs
ime, that I tried it a second, thiad, an,
ourth, and met with the advantage il
he shape of the goddess on each occa
ion. At all events, I had not frightene
Ter from the particular ground over whic
he appeared to preside; and knew tina
he had noticed my presence there, fror
certain indications which passed betwee
lerself and the evil spirit on my az
roach.
aOn the fifth morning the goddess Ell
cred the gardens alone, and I instantl
,egan thinking of the best form of praye
. offer up to her when perceived tina
1stead of pausing at the accustomed sea
,e continued to walk for some distanc
49,, +hot cho must have expected &c