Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-02-11
Popping the Question.

"Why don't you get married ?" said a
bouncing girl with laughing eye, to a
smooth-faced, innocent looking youth.
"Well, /" said the youth, stopping short
with grasp, and fixing his eyes upon vacancy,
with puzzled and foolish expression.
"Wel, 90 on" said the fair cross-examiner,
incliniug, almost inpercephbly, nearer to the
young man. "Now tell me right Out-you
what ?"
"Why I-pshaw, don't know"
"Yes, You do know say you do, now tell
mew
"Oh, ! can't tell you"
81 say you can. Why, you know I'll nev
er mention it; and you may tell me. Of course,
yoh know, for haven't always been your
friend?'
Yes, I know you have" said the poor,
helpless youth.
"And I'm sure always thought You liked
me, went on the maiden, in tender mellow
accents.
90, l do, upon my word, yes, l do, Maria, y
said the unsophistocated youth, very warmly
and he found that Maria had unconciOusly
placed her hand in his open palm.
Then there was silence.
And then-well?" ." whispered Maria,
dropping her eyes on the ground.
"Eh2 o, well - said John, dropping his
eyes and Maria's hand at the same time.
"Tm pretty sure you love somebody. In
fact, said She assuming tone Of raillery; ]
know you are in love; and, John, why don't
you tell me all about it at once ?"
"Well, /"
"Well 10, you silly mortal, what is there
to be afraid OFF,
90, it ain't because am afraid Of anything
at all and Ill-well, now, I'll tell you,
Maria"
"Well now, John"
q"
"Yes."
IL am in love Now, don't tell you
won't will you ?" said John, violently seizng
Maria by the hand, and looking in her face
with most imploring expression.
"Of course not, John; why, you know,
I'll never breathe word about it. Now, you
know won't, don't you, John'"
This was spoken in low whisper, aud the
cherry lips of Maria were so near Johns ear,
that when he turned to look at her, there
might have occurred a dangerous concus-
sion.
Well, Maria" said John, "rve told you
now, and you shall know llabout it. ! have
always thought great deal of you, and"
Yes, John"
Il am sure you would do anything for me
yod eoHld."
"Yes, John, you know would"
"Wel, l thought so, and you don't know
how often I've wanted to talk to you about it. "
q declare, John-why, you might have
told me long since, il you wanted to; for
never was angry at you in my life"
al know you wasn't, and often have felt
great mind to, but
Its not too late now, you know, John"
Well, now, Maria, do you think | am too
young to get married y
"lndeed, do not, John and know it
would be good thing Tor you, too, for every
body says the sooner young people get mar
ricd the better, when they are prudent and
love one another"
That's Just what think and now, Maria,
| do think want to get married, you will"
Indeed will, John, for you know / al
ways was partial to you, and I've often said SO
behind your back"
Well, declare, have all along thought
you would object, and that's the reason I've
been afraid to ask you"
"Objectl I'll die FIRST; SO you may ask me
anything you please
And you'll grant t."
81 will
4" Then l want you to pop tie question for
me to Kate Sullivan
What?"
"Eh?"
"Do you love Kate Sullivan 2"
Indeed do; with all my heart
81 always thought you were fool"
"Eb ?"
" say you are fool, and had better go
home. Your mother wants you-you stu
pid, exclaimed the mortified Maria, in a shrill
terrible Aud she gave poor John such slap
in the face that it sent him reeling
Unhappy Maria-the course Of true love
never runs smooth.
A CAUTIOUS MAY.-A fellow who was tray
elling in Western New York, entered bar
room, AID after calling for drinks for two,