The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-12-26
Popping the Question.

But why don't You get married ~ said a
bouncing girl with o laughing eye to a smooth
faced innocent looking youth, who blushed up
to the eyes at the question.
We'll, /" said the youth stopping short with
q gasp, and fixing his eyes on vacancy, with g
puzzled and foolish expression.
well, go on; you what 2" said the fair CroBs-
questioner, almost imperceptibly inclining near
er to the young man. Now just tell me straight
out your what !"
"YOu do, l say you do know, come, l want to
know"
"Oh, l can't tell you"
q say you can. Why, you know I'll never
mention it, and you may tell me, of course, you
know for haven't I always been your friend"
well, you have 1 know" replied the beleagu-
ed youth,
'|Aud I'm sure l always thought you liked
me" went Oh the maldenin tender and mellow
accents.
Il do, upon my word-yes, indeed I do, Maria"
said the un5Ophlstlcated youth very warmly, AND
he found that Maria has: uncOnSciOusly placed
her hands in his open palm.
| Then there was q silence.
And then-well," said Maria, dropping her
eyes to the ground.
"Ehl Oh-welIP' said John, dropping his eyes
and Maria's hand at the same moment.
Pm pretty sure you love somebody, John !;
in fact" said Maria, assuming again q tone of
Tailery. 81 kno1v you'rein love, and, John why
don't you tell me all about it, at onceF"
Vel, 10, you silly mortal what is there to be
"Oh, it amt because I'm afraid of anything
at al and Pll-Well, now, Maria, It0SH tell yOu."
Well, now, John"
I"
Yes"
~ am in love now don't tell. You won't will
you y said John violently Selling Maria by the
hand, and looking her III the face with a most
lmplOring expression.
why, of course, you know, John. I'll never
breathe a word OF it-you know I wont don't
you John 7" This wasspOken in amellow whls-
per, and the cherry lips OF Maria were so near,
John's ear when she spoke, that had he turned
MS head to look st her, there might have Oc-
CURED an exceedingly dangerous collision.
well, Maria" said John, i've told you now
and 30 you shall know all about it. I have al
ways thought a great deal Of you and
Yes, John"
I am sure you would do anything for me
| that you could"
Yes, John, You knotcI would"
"Wen, I thought so, and you don't know how
| long I've wanted to talk to you about it."
~ declare, John, I-you might have told me
long ago, II you wanted, for I'm sure I never
| was angry with you in my life,"
"No, you wasn't; and I've often felt h great
Its not too late nov, you know John"
"Well, Maria, do you think I'm too young to
get married. 2"
Indeed, I do not, and I knop it would be q
| good thing for you, too, for everybody says the
| sooner young people are married the better,
when they are prudent and inclined to one an
I 1890
That's Just what I think; andnow Maria, I do
want to get married, and if youI"-
Indeed, I will, John, for you know I was al
ways partial to you, and I've said so often be-
hind your back"
"Wcll, I declare, I've all along thought you
might object, and that's the reason I've been al
ways afraid to ask you"
"Object! no, I'd die first; you may ask OF mo
just anything you please
And youu grant it"
81 will"
Then, Maria, / want you to pop the question
for mo to Mary Sullivan, for
"Whatf"
"Eh?"
"Do you love Mary Sullivan 4"
20, indeed | do, with all my hearth"
~ always thought you were a fool"
"Ehp'
al say you're a fool, and you'd better go home,
your mother wants you !! o, yOu-yOu-you-
| stupid :" exclaimed the mortified Maria in g.
shril treble, and she gave poor John a slap on
the cheek that sent him Keeling. 1t was noon
| day, and yetJOhn declared that he saw myriads
of stars flashing around him, more than he ever
! saw in the night time. Poor Maria
"Never told her love,
! But let COncealment, like a worm in the bud,
Prey on her damask cheek"
Thus, alas, how often are the germs OF young
affection cast away.