The Cecil Whig., 1876-02-19
NOT FALSE-BUT TICKLE.

NOT FALSE-BUT TICKLE.
Just one week ago to-day, after two
years absence from the Star spangled, dur
ing which had been idling through Eu-
rope, l dropped into the studio of my old
friend Fred Jolie.
Fred is an artist in the illuminating way
dashes off graceful adornments and quaint
letterings at Il moments notice. Fact is,
Fred couldn't do any thing that required
| time and thought his inspirations come
suddenly and go quickly.
He was at work when | entered, and so
much engrossed that he did not hear me;
so | took the liberty born of old compan-
ionship, and glanced over his shoulder.
An exquisite photograph of a young and
very pretty girl lay upon the desk, and
Fred was rapidly sketching one of his fan
cifnl borders-in which Cupid in various
disguises and not disguised at all, floating
lace vels and orange buds and blossoms
formed no inconsiderable share-around it.
"Hallo, Fred said |.
Halo, yourself" retorted he. L" Wait
an instant till twine these honeysuckles
round this bow and arrow, and I'll look to
see who you are"
| waited until the weapon of the boy god
was properly festooned, and then Fred,
springng from his chair with an exclama-
tion of surprise, seized my hand and shook
it until my very shoulder ached.
"The Lord love you, my dear boy" he
burst out, in his old impulsive way
"When did you come back? How we'll
you look. bearded like a pard. And what
do you think of that?' pointing to the
picture.
| examined it, A tall, slender blonde,
with fluffy fair hair, large, wel-opened
eyes-blue, l supposed.slightly aquiline
nose, poutng lips, arch expression.
Altogether charming" was my verdict.
you're right shouted Fred. "By
heaven, she's glorious, great, and victori-
Gus, | met hernight before last-Sunday;
fell in love with her on the spot. She sent
me this picture to day-Tuesday. ! shall
propose to her to Wednesday,
and hope to marry her before the week is
out"
Isn't that rather rash scheme?' |
asked. "' Look before you leap;' Marry
in haste and repent at leisure;' 'Think
twice.
"To the deuce with your musty pro-
I.
brought with yon from the Old World?
Gather the roses while you may
I say with old Herrick-
sold Time is still flying,
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To morrow will be dying
I've made up my mind to marry, and
hate long courtships-alw did hate 'em.
Had two sisters married in that way. I'm
fortunate fellows, how used to pity 'em!-
the lovers, | mean, not the sisters; checked
by the younger members Of the family, and
chatfed and kissed by the others; dinners
on Sundays, with prospective ather-in-law
glaring over the roast, and prospective
mother-in-law smiling over the pudding.
No, no; not any for me. | meet a woman
and in an hour / know her as well as |
would in years perhaps bet
ter. Why, then, should hesitate to make
love to and marry her Immediately p
Evadne-sweetest of names!-is my fate.
felt it the moment her eyes volets,
blue violetS-met mine, and, as | said be-
fore, l propose tomorrow. So, take your
old pipe-it's on the top of the desk there,
neatly enveloped in cobwebs-and tell me
how you left the boys in France, Germany,
and Rome"
On Thursday evening" hurrying home to
dinner-for | was uncommonly hungry
whom should run against, or more prop
erlp speaking, who should run against me,
but the irrepressible Fred.
scanned him moment Blue neck-tie,
gray kids, no cigar, and bouquet.
"Well?" was the result of my inspec-
tion.
"Tve done itr' replied he, grasping me
by the arm, and hurrying me along, in
spite of myself, in contrary direction to
that which led to my chops and tomato
sauce. I've done it, and I'm the happiest
fellow in the world. You must be intro
duced to her. I'm only going to stop
moment to give her these flowers; then
after dinner, which I'll take with you, if
you'll ask me, we will go to see the lovely
Nelson in Juliet. oh, would l were
i