, 1876-06-16
Taking Advantage of Leap Year.

NDSOh bAAA4 J AuC4s L
to the latter were printed, true-love
knot gracing each corner of the card.
The invitation set forth that "the pleas
ure of Mr.-'s company is earnestly
requested at a leap year party, to be
held at Mrs. IS, on Thursday. Feb
ruary 3, 1876, by number of marriage
able young ladies'" etc. The Young
men were more than little surprised on
finding at the house young ladies' with
whom they were well acquainted.
The folding doors between the recep-
tion room and an elegantly furnished
apartment were soon opened; one of the
" manageable young ladies then COM
menced playing Mendlessohn's We'd
ding March " on the piano, and each of
the remainder of the young ladies' was
soon inquiring of the gentlemen, "Are
you engaged for this dance?"-it having
been previously announced that dancing
would form part of the evenings en-
tertainment. At its conclusion the ladies
led their partners to seats, leaving than
with polite bows. Then one OF the la
dies walked slowly up and down the
room, and the others began singing,
" Here comes the Queen of Dover; she
has lately come over, and let her be Of
Tended or no; if she be not offended she
will be attended by all the respects that
we owe, owe, owep" Then the Queen
selected a gentleman from the company,
and both walked up and down the room
while the others sang. "There comes
the King and Queen of Dover" etc.
And 80 the play went on until all were
promenading the floor. When the young
men were being bowed to their seats
this time, it was proposed that the ladies
should kiss them. All were agreeable
to this except one pretty damsel, who
declared that she would not; for she had
never kissed any one in her life except
her mother. But sooner than not have
the play carried out, she aIlo we'd the
gentleman who had marched with her to
kiss her.
Immediately after this one of the
young men was the victim of a cruel
joke. 1t was thought that another dance
was to be called on. He was approached
by a young lady-the sister of his
" girl who asked:
Are you engaged?"
"No," he replied.
"Wi1 you take me for partner"
further queried the lady.
Certainly" was his answer.
Then she turned to the rest of the
company, and, with an air of triumph,
exclaimed:
"Do you hear that2 He has agreed
to marry mer
The ladies all said they had heard him
make the engagement. The gentleman
was bewildered for a few moments.
Then he tried to explain that he had only
promised to be her partner in the dance.
She declared that she had not said
anything about q dance, but had
popped the question" fairly and
squarely. he was given till that night
week to make up his mind as to whether
he would carry out his engagement, and
all the others voted that if he did not
marry her, she would kill him.
It was next proposed to play "post-
Office" The folding doors were closed,
and the ladies went into the back room,
leaving the gentlemen in the front. The
former then in turn announced, Il
have letter for you." One by one the
young men entered the room, and were
required to pay postage in kisses for
piece Of paper on which was written, 81
love you" This was followed by "spin
the plate, and other such games, during
which about Q dozen promises Of mar
riage were made.
The party was brought to close by
an amusing incident. One of the ladies
had shown . desire during the whole
evening to have few moments' CONVEX
sation with q certain young man. BE
was put on his guard by lady friend,
and managed to give the anxious one
the cold shoulder for three or four
hours. While he was resting in q cor
ner away from the rest of the company,
she drew q chair alongside, and seated
herself upon it. He was satisfied that
abe intended to pop the question, and
was determined not to give himself
away cheaply.
He pretended not TO understand that
she meant the matrimonial market, and
said:
"No; but I believe the Common
Council intend having the new building
ready for the butchers early in the Sum-
mer.h
"I don't mean that, /" she said. "To
be plain, do you always intend living in
that clearinghouse ?"
"Do you mean that it is not q good
house9 Why, Miss B.. besides getting
three good meals daily, we are supplied
with luncheon every nj ht. And the
board is cheap"
Don't you intend getting a partner" I"
she then inquired.
"The hostess has declared that dane
ing is finished for the night, he replied.
She began again.
"Win you have me for A."
A partner in the first dance at the
next party" he broke in. 81 will, GER
tainly."
You stupid thingl Win you marry