National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-02-09
BLIGHTED BY A WATER.BUTT.

On a pleasant autumnal evening, no
many years ago, two personages nigh
have been observed sitting in two bacl
gardens in st. Benedicts Road, Highbury
and separated only by brick wall
One was a female, young, fair, and o
prepossessing appearance; the other ;
male, also young, but short, stout, snub-
nosed, insignificant, and unpreposscssing
The name OF the lady was Amelia
Amelia Chuttney, only daughter of g
retired maj jor in the Indian army; that o
the gentleman was Digby Chick, his posi-
tion being that of copying clerk in solic-
itor's otiioe IN Throgmorton Street, City
Had any casual observers been glancing
into those gardens at the moment this
narrative begins, they would have seen
Mr.. Chick busily engaged in propping a
square box against the wall which separat-
done, he mounted cautiously, as IT to try
is weight, and finding the arrangement
Efficiently strong and perfectly satisfac-
tory, he dismounted, and producing a
pocket-comb, proceeded to tittivatc his
hair after the fashion Of sundry small and
tussy gentlemen who are anxious that
their appearance should create an impress
sion. That donc Mr.. Chick again mount
ed the box, and holding on to the wall
with both hands, proceeded to gaze into
his neighbours garden. At this iunctme
however, his frail support gave way sud-
denly, bringing his chin into such smart
contact with the wall as to Craze it severely,
and make his eyes water by reason OF the
force of the conclusion.
But Mr. Chick was OF a persevering
nature, and one not easily damped by re-
verses and so, without more ado, he
quietly regretted his platform, and again
looked over the wall at his fair neighbor,
who was engaged with book, and either
did not or would not appear to see him.
"lIa hum - coughed Mr.. Chick.
There being no notice taken of this sau-
tation, after few moments Mr.. Chick
repeated his cough in louder KEY.
This time the young lady looked up
from her book in the direction of the
sound.
"Good evening, MISS" said Dighy.
Good-evening Mr.. Chick"
Is papa out or at home, miss y asked
Digby.
- He's asleep in the back parlor. I'll go
and wake him if you wish to speak to
him. returned the young lady, rising.
pray don't think of such thing, miss
it amt him wish to speak to; it's you"
"Me-Mr. Chick"
" You, Miss Chuttney Don't wake
your papa on my account-pray don't.
He's most estimablc gentleman, | am
we'll aware but perhaps he might object
to my climbing up the wall and looking
over into his garden, and-and talking to
you, miss
II think it is not improbable, Mr.
Chick"
"And think it extremely probable
Oh, Miss Chuttney, it may perhaps be
presumptiye OF me to say so, but probably
you are not aware that | adore you.
"Sir!n
Don. speak to me ike that, miss. It's
quite true, | can assure you. Ny position
at present is humble one, but my pros
poets are good. have expectations, great
expectations, from an old aunt of mine in
the country-extrcmely elderly person,
nearly hundred now; but the longest
lane has turning, and she can't live for
ever You know"
"Sirr'
Don't say Sir to me in that tone, if
You please, Miss Chuttney call me any
thing but Sir"
What would you have me call you?"
Call me D,gby' if you like"
But don't like, and therefore shall
do nothing of the sort"
."Oh, Mss Chuttney, am not naturally
OF mercenary disposition-quite the con-
trary, l assure you; bnt | can not offer
you my heart and hand with eighteen shil- !
ilngs week in it, and nothing in pcrspec-
i've; that is the sole reason why | allude |
TO my venerable aunt Blythe bye, miss,
amt aunts with little money fine insti-
tutions ?"
Mr. Chick, will you oblige me by get
tlng down from that wall, and leaving of
your absurd conversation"
Absurd conversation Is Love an alb.
surdity %
1t is IN some instances, especially when |
we conceive passion for what can never
be ours,
Just my sentiments to T, miss then
~ Is an absurdity. Isn't it strange too,
tnAt there are lots Of people who never
ridiculous %
1t is indeed" returned Amelia. smiling
to herself.