The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-12
pLIGnrEp BY A wArER.Burr.

Un pleasant hutumnul evening, not
many wears ago, two per.onages might
have been observed sitting in two back
gardens in st. Benedict's Read, Ilighbury,
aud separated only by brick wall.
One was n female, young, fair, and Of
preps'essing appearance; the other n
male. also Young, but short, stout, snub-
no.ed, insignificant, and unprcpo,Scssing
The meme Of the lady was Amelia
Amelia Uhuttney, only daughter of u
retired major in the Indian army; that Of
the gentleman was Disby Chick, his posi-
tiJn being that Of copying clerk in solic-
itor's office in rhrogmortOn Street, City.
Had any casual observers been glancing
into those gardens at the IL oin?nt this
narrative begins, they would have seen
Mr.. Chick busily engaged in propping a
square box against the wall which separas
cd his own from the other garden That
done, he mounted cautiously, MS II to try
his weight, aud finding the arrangement
sufficiently strong and perfectly satisiac-
tory, he dismounted, and producing II
pocket-comb, proceeded to tittivatc his
hair after the fashion Ot sundry small and
lussy gentlemen who arc anxious that
their appearance Should create an impress
sion. That done, Mr.. Chick again mount.
ed the box, and holding on to the wall
with both hands, proceeded to gaze into
his neighbor's garden. At this iunctnie
however, his frail support guvc way sud
denly, bringing his chin into such smart
contact with the wullaS to Craze it severely,
and make bis eyes water BY reason Of the
force Of the conclusion.
But Mr.. Chick was Of a pcBeyering
nature. and one not easily damped by re-.
verses and SO, without moro ado, he
quietly te greeted his platform, and Hguin
looked over the wall at his fair neiglbor
who was eng iged with book, and either
did not or would not appear to see him.
"Ha hum ~ Coughed Mr.. Chick.
There being no notice taken OF this salu-
taton, after n few moments Mr.. Chick
repeated bis cough in louder key.
This time the young lady looked up
from her book in the direction of the
sound.
"Good evening, miss" said Digby.
tOOu-CNelllEi NI' Nul'h'
"Is papa out Or at home miss ~ asked
Digby.
"Ilc's asleep in the back parlor. I'll go
and wake him II you wish to speak to
him. returned the young lady, rising.
"Play don't think Of such thing, miss; /;
II nin't him wish to speak to; it's you
"Me-Mr. Chick"
You, Miss Chuttnev Don't wake
your papa on my account-pray don't.
He's most estimaLlc gentleman, am
well aware; but perhaps he might object
to my climbing up the wall and looking
over into his garden, and-and talking to
you, miss
"'T think it is not improbable, Mr..
Chick"
IAnd | think it extremely probable.
Oh, Miss Chuttley, it may perhaps be
presumplivc Of me to say 20, but probably
you nre not aware TINT | adore you.
dSirm
"Don'. speak to me like tha', miss. It's
quite true, can assure you. NV position
at present is a humble one, but my pros
pects arc good. have expectations, great
expectations, from MI old aunt of mine in
the oountry-pxttrinely elderly person,
nearly hundred now; but the longest
lane has turning, and she can't live for
ever, you know"
"Slrm
"Don't saw Sir to me in that tone, il
you please, Miss Chuttney; call me any
thing hut sSr.'h
HWhat would YOU have me call your
"Call me D,gby' you like"
"But don't like, and therefore shall
do nothing of the sort"
"Oh, Miss Chuttncv. | am not naturally
Of melccnary disposition quite the con-
ttary, | assure you; bnt-l can not oIltr
you my heart and hand with eighteen shil-
lings week in 1t, and nothing in pcrspec-
tive; that Is the sole rrason why allude
70 my venerable aunt Blythe bye, miss,
amt nunts with little money fine insti-
.tutions7"
AMI Chick, will you oblige me by get
ting down from that wall, and leaving Of
your absurd conversation
"AbSurd conversation Is Love an ab
Srdityf"
"ltis in some instances, especially WHEN
we conceive a passion for what can never
be ours"
Just MT sentiments to T, miss then
1t s an absurdity. Isn't It strange, too,
that there are lots Of people who never
know when they are making themselves
ridiculous Z"
n1tts indeed, " returned Amtlia, smiling
to herself