The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-05-23
THE STORY-TE
A BASnFUL MANS EXPERIENCE.

If there is Il being deserving of COM
miseration, it is the sensitive man. He
is the victim of the unfeeling and thought
less, and source of constant uneasiness
to himself. His misfortune leads him
into all sort of blunders.
Such an unfortunate was Nathaniel
Wilson. He seemed to have been born
into the world to afford amusement to
his fcllow-beings or, as was said of him
by wag in his native village, he came
been able to get over it. So bashful
boy was Nathaniel that what little
learning he acquired at school was ac-
ouired through tribulation and pain.
He trembled all over when obliged to
sit near girl, and when examination
day came he was miserable indeed.
He could not pass n lady on the street
without making himself ridiculous in
trying to avoid her; and to be compelled
to sit opposite one at table overwhelmed
HIM with confusion. If requested to
pass certain article of food. he was sure
to seize the wrong one. and, in his NOR
tifcation, would cap the climax by up
setting his coffee upon himself or his
neighbors.
The only time chat Nathaniel was
ever known to involuntarily present
himself in ladies company was on the
occasion of picnic, gotten up by the
young people of the village but when
he arrived at the scene Of festivities,
and found himself surrounded by such
AN array of female loveliness, his cour-
age forsook him. and, amid the jeers of
his comrades, he ran home for dear life.
A scapegrace by the name of Tom
johnson, q character famous for play
ing tricks upon everybody, conceived
the idea of getting a good one " upon
Nathaniel. A young married woman
by the name of Mrs. Lane, whose hus-
band was temporarily absent on bust
ness in foreign country, had lately
taken up her residence in the village.
Having learned this much, Tom sought
out Nathaniel, and, in very earnest
and confidential manner, said to him:
MAT, I've got something important
to tell you-the best piece OF news you
ever heard, I'll warrant"
What is it ~ inquired Nathaniel,
eagerly.
"Well," began Tom, lowering his
voice almost to whisper, and assuming
most earnest expression of fcountenance,
"you have seen this Miss Lane that has
lately moved into the village" 2"
"Yes," replied Nathaniel, "and
mighty fne-looking young woman she
is, too"
"That's So" said Tom; "and what
DO you think-she has taken n great
fancy to you, Nat"
"Pshaw ~ exclaimed Nathaniel.
l.Eon+O ~ 1oo1araJ fHo,n ssCbo ,u.u
talking with my sister Agnes about you
yesterday, and when she heard so good
a report of you, and that your only fail
ing was being so shy Of women, she
said she wished she could get acquainted
with you, but she supposed that would
be impossible. She said she had made
up her mind that if she ever married it
would be to some respectable, honest
man in the country, for she had become
disgusted with the deceit and heartless-
ness Of city men. It's clear enough
that she came here for no other purpose
than to pick up some good, honest fel-
low like you"
If only thought you were in earn
est, Tom," said Nathaniel, after a mo-
ment's pause, and in an animated man
ner; "but I'm afraid you're playing
one of your tricks upon me"
"Nat." replied Tom, with an offended
air, "I'm telling you the truth Plenty
of high-born ladies have the same no
tions about natrimony as Miss Lane
has; there's nothing strange about it.
And, Nat, if you'll take the advice of a
friend, go and see the young woman
and gently hint at the subject. You
are too good fellow to drone away
your life in this fashion; get married
and be man."
at won't kill fellow to call on a
woman, even if he does get the slip"
! said Nathaniel, in state Of high excite
\ment.
"Of course it won't" replied Tom,
pd again exhorting Nathaniel TO lose
time in securing so rich a prize, he
eparted.