Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1872-02-02
POPPING THE QUESTION.

FOFPtNG EHE QtESIhON.
'l'n do hV quoih Mr.. Tompkins, with Il |
very decided flourish Of his red and yellow |
bandanna. And Mr.. Tompkins folded lis
arms across his poruY breast, and paced the
garden walk with the air Of a fat Napoleon.
He had made up his mind--he had decided
the question upon which he had been ron-.
deiing Tor the last two hours. Yes, he would
do it. Upon the whole, Mr.. Tompkins
would pop the question: To be sure he was
forty, fat and bald; but everybody that
knew him said there was not more amiable
man in Germantown. Besides, lie did not
think himself so very Unlocking man; and
even Mamie Day could not be entirely OBJ
hvious to The TACT that he was something OF
catch. Fifty thousand dollars was con
siderable wealth in Germantown, and Mr..
Tompkins possessed that amount OF worldly
goods.
He was a widower. His first wife had
been Betsy Trimmer, and be had married
her for her "smurlness;" and It was proof
of bis fondness Tor variety that he had now
set his heart upon pretty Mamie Day, the
DOCTORS daughter, who was only eighteen,
and nythiug but capable" Indeed, Mrs.
Jones, the housekeeper. 10 whom Mr..
Tompkins had applied lor ler opinion Of
Mamie, said she twas a 1y-away flint OF a
thing. and jest about as stiddy as a white
kltenrh
But everybody knew that Mrs Jones was
an ill.natured critic who would see no good
in anybody.
Mamie would sober down after while,
and htr girish tligltiuess just pleased Mr.
Tompkns And she was 50 beNitchingly
pretty; htr hair was like gold in the sun;
her eyes were like two vioitts, and would
dive any man out Of lis senses. Mr. Temp.
kius knew that, Tor they had driven him out
of his many time. II she accepted him
and OF course she would-how I'll The young
fellows would envy hinl
That last consideration decided him that,
and q ghmI Sc Just then Of Mamie herself.
crossing the pasture next her garden, aud
carrying "a little Tin rai, VIII CHI belokened
that she Was going "silawberrying. Posi-.
lively she ad never looked 80 charming as
she looked at that moment in her pink calico
dress and white apron, and the broad
bTimmed tal, with Iibb0ns That lust matched
here eyes. Yes, Mr.. Temp kins would do
III
lie iIt vcy assured and Triumphant in
advance when he stood on Mr.. Days front
doorstep that evening, asking the "h,lp" if
Miss Nancy was M
"Mss Nancy Yes; shes 10 tie tel.in,-
room. Walk tight in thsie, Mi Tompkns;"
and Almity looked exceeding significant as
she opened The ''selln'-roOm" door Almlry
was a sharp girl, and Alr. lompkins pre-
sumed size guessed his Grand.
There WAS no light m the "settin' -TuOm "
and only the willie table cover aud crimson
lounge showed distinctly through tie gloom
A ienae figure in a pink dress and Write
apron arose al the entrance from seat by
the window, aud Tompkins uuiedly rx.
claimed, feeling llile Il ur i,d in llc Of
himself,
Don't bring light, Miss Day, don't! /
want TO say something 10 yUu, and tie twi-
light"
MI. Tomukins took a seal beside Tie lady,
who finished the sentence Tor him by wills
pering "OhW
Now was the tug OF war MI Tompkius
did not fad his task a= easy us he had anti
cipated; but, having been through the 0Id al
once before, he was not 70 be taunted by
tntes. So he possessed himselfoi the LADY,
HANDWRITING some trouble TO fird it in he
deepening gloom -aui cleared his throat
preparatory 10 commenting
"Heml Miss Day--my dear NanIie"
He stopped short, and The fair one giggled.
Mr.. TomplNns considered that encouraging;
and, -recUlectng The manner in which he
had proposed 10 Betsy Trimmer, he address
ed her in the precise language Of which lie
made use on that former occasion.
My dearest Mamie huye long sought
an opportunity like tue present / have
lOug wished to declare my love to you. 10
win the pure Treasure OF Your virgin heart
has long been the dseam of my manhood
Say, my love-denrest- must hope in vain
Will you not make me happy VIII you be
my WILEY"
(Mr. Tompkins lad .arned The pboy,
speech from novel expressly for the lormei
occasion referred to, aud he considered iti
highly, able, nrdiuTiCal eliprt.)
The lady tIembed and giggled, and ap