Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-02-24

feel 80 melancholy to-day know that you arc
my friend. and believe that as gentleman and
a man of honor, yon would not repeat H."
"Drve ON then old fellow" cried Dick.
"You see. boys" continued Willie. when
had only beon here p few days felt wss pref y
hard hit--in fact done up entirely ] fought
against it for long time love at first sight t.
such stupid thing But then it Wa no use"
$50, then, seeing ii was no use resisting you
gave in like good little boy, oil, Willie1
IL must confess | did. Dick. ! won't in pow
erfully hard. determined to win--talked poetry
and all that sort Of thing, and tinally did win
ia the end. The fact is, the dear giil cnudn I
resist long. and the whole truth IA that am
engaged-cngaged to be married. There now
don't laugh"
who's going 10 laugh at any thing 30 serious
az all that; but, say old fellow, look at those
other chaps. Gracious Providence! what are
they all getting so nustered about Why you
look AZ il you were suffering some severe diff
Guilty OF the windpipe none OF you got the SAM
complaint as Willie, / hope?"
ayes, Dick" said Agustns blushng violently,
l must confoss that this season has done it mp
for me, too"
'And l." cried GUS
"And l."
''What, you TOO. Jack, ct IL qloque, Brute, or
some such stuff -"Well the, Lord have mercy
upon you four miserable sinners; but | say out
with it, make clean breast-whOs tie happy
woman Come now you've got to do it,"
"You won't any Of you repeat it (The four
gravely bowed anegative) Then its Miss Annie
Rochester
Hardly had Willie spoken these words, when
the chairs were violently dashed to the ground,
and three inflriated men sprang toward him
Its false !" cried Augustus.
'Its a lie !" screamed JACK.
''Shes engaged to II ~ quoth Gus
Oh then there was scene; su h wrangling,
such shouts, angry words AMI angrier replies.
while the four looked as il they were ready TO
tear each other to pieces, till at last the soothing
voice of Dick Gained them all
"stop fel iws There's no use to quarrel
tho fact il, Miss Annie had done YOU all INV,
| il you are really dosrous Of Eniw ( the happv
man who has won Miss Rochesters heart I'll
sparo your longer contention by informing you
| that-he lies at your feet
What you !" CRIED the four.
Just SOL I've been engaged to that lovely
| divinity. Annie, now just three weeks, and III
| bet hat I'm the real man. Now, stop; don't
speak; I've got an idea in my head; plan that
will decide the whole affair, and, believe, sat
| isfy all of you."
With this Dick went on to describe his plan
| He proposed that when the dancing commenced
| the four should place themselves in the shade
afforded by the bushes near the window OF the
back parlor, then lie would entice the unsus-
pecting beauty into that room and make her
confess which one OF them she really and truly
loved.
Sorrowfully conse itins to tn, proposed pla ,
the little group broke up.
When Dick entered the ball room that night
the music was in full blast; pretty couples
whirled around in a delightful waltz while then
careful and admirirg mammas watched them
from chairs placed around the sides OF the room
Singing out Miss Annie when the dance was
over Dick engaged her in conversation, and fl
nay pleading the heat Of the room as an ex-
cuse, begged her to let him conduct her to the
little back parlor. Annie consenting they were
soon seated on comfortable sofa in that cosy
retreat which had been the scene Of 80 many
trumphs for Miss Rochester while now beneath
the window rustliIg in the bushes warned Del
that the four avengers were in their ambuseades
With melancholy air, Dick broke the silence
spoke Of how near the season was to an end
Of the many who during that brief space hat
made ties that would last them through life anC
sighed dolefully as he mentioned the short tint
that remained before they would part, Will
Annie nestled to his side and smiled up at him
love and admiration beaming from her wonder
full blue eyes.
/ ''But you. Annie. cried Dick, "you will neve
, forget me; never think with regret Of this year
of the promises you have made me- Think owe
it, dear-think Of the pledge you have given me
and say again, darling that you really love me
ardently and truly. Do not jest with me, who's
} sole delight is in your love-whose sole desire i
to deserve you, and whose every thought is t
. make himself more worthy Of you Now speak
> darling Annie and say that yon will be true t.
/ your vow-that you will be mine.
h LAS truly as l hope to live, will, dear Dick
4 At these words stifed groan was heard fror
, the ahrubbery, and four avengiug black figure
salked stitily into the room. Each as he passe
9 the poor girl said in ghostly and theatricl
4 tone
a ter ?"
y Annie blushed scarlet red and hung down he
y pretty head, until Dicks voice caused hor t
= look up.
Now, Miss Annie, we five finding ourselves i
I the peculiar and irreconcilable position of eacl
0 OF us being engaged to marry the same lady
: have in a sense Of right and good fellowship dc
= termined to leave the important choice to til
= lady who holds possession OF our five hearts.
d You, Miss Annie are the lady, therefor
a make your choice. Which OF lis will you have;
+ Annie gazed helpleesly around but all in vain
I there stood the four black statues frowning dow
: on her, while the fifth sat by her side and agai
: babe her choose.
g Like the hart at bay, seeing there was n
chance for escape, Annie raised her head an
o gathering courage from her desperate condition
1 laid her little hand on Dicks shoulder, and ia
n tered out
+ You, Dick"
: Smiling at his four friends, Dick Long rose
r his feet. " / cannot but admit Miss Rochester
0 that am obliged to you for your good opinion
1t is, indeed gratifying to be selected from
y many others, as deserving of that precious trea
, ure you call your heart Ii il then in the hun
v blest manner possible, that beg to inform 70
4 that the promised wife of Dick Long must be on
6 quite different from young lady who voiuntar
L y engages herself to five gentlemen. Mi,
d Rochester, id you o I'd evening"
The next morning there was quite tumut
d the hotel, occasion by the sudden departure
l. MIR. Rochester and his family The five ayenge
kept their secret religiously, and it was sourC
4 OF wonder for many days at -, as to whi
II cause accustomed this sudden departure of ii
Q Rochestels.
IL -z----7