The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1877-08-30
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sm 4 m3lesi man Motcsty Is j
nauy people 5 virtue iu ne i i an al
solnie auA J haye spent all my life !
Ncw York city J have been a dry good
ciefk, "a advertising agcnt, and 5 eus.of
boase broker, and yet sm, under oei
tain circumstances, sufferer from mod
esty, or hsshiulness, or whatever peopl
msy please TO call Il.
Notwithstanding ordinary good looks
respectable manners, good business SD
plenty of affection, remained unmsr
Tied, abd even unengaged fer years afie
The day determined bad been a singh
man long enough.
Not tha, did not fall 10 love; for
loved often aud Ardenty; but Il a.
ways happened that, before ! could mus
+ ter courage sufficient for q declaration
and proposal, some other man would b
smitteR by the charms OF The lady wa
sdorIng, aud ! could do nothing bu
hasten 10 relieve my heart Of affection 70
another mans wife
Time after time this same thing hap
peued | could make myself sgreeabl
in company, and chat pleasantly with al
. Of my lady acquailances; but the momen
| found myself feeling an unusual tender
nets for any ono Of them, ! was sure 4
E feel so terribly embarrassed iu her pres
ence that | generally put an end to m,
/ hopes by keeping out Of the lady's pres
eDce as much as possible.
| finally began TO doubt whether
should ever get wife at all. | lackc,
but few years Of middle age, and wha
tender, susceptible girl, such as shonl'
hope to win, wonld many an old man?
/ Frightened by the thought, solemnl
resolved that, should ever again fall il
love, would promptly declare my pas
sion, and earnestly press my suit.
Ny resolution had not time to coo
before suecumbed TO the resistless pow
er of Nellie Mayton's eyes. Nellie dix
not purposely look witchingly at M
with her deep brown eyes girls neye
10 such things purposely-but by som'
fortunate accident she gave me glanc'
which made me her adoring slave.
As she was an old acquaintance, di,
not think deliberate courtship was nee
essary; on the contrary, determined Il
tell my story at once, come of it wha
might.
The time consumed at my toilet OF
that eventful night was far more than
had devoted TO that duty even in m!
foppiest days. Bat, in spite of all
could do, my nose would look littl
red, aud slight razor cut on my cheel
insisted on looking angry; my crava
acted as If possessed by human soul il
the most depraved condition, and m.
shoes took mild polish only with reluc
tance.
| | finally reached Mrs. Mayton's man
sion, and rang the bell. Fortunately fol
me, Nellie had neither father, brothe
or sister, and as her mother was the bust
est woman in her set, felt reasonably
sure Of finding Nellie alone.
was not disappointed. As entered
the parlor, Nellie was at the piano, put
| ting into sweet sounds an exquisite re
verie Of her own, She did not hear tht
servant announce me, SO her dainty flo.
gers continued to tenderly chase eact
other over the ivory keys, while The
balmy air of the warm spring evening
and the soft shades of the gathering twi
light seemed in full sympathy with the
beautiful girl and her feelings.
! Never before had she Sc eemed TO me Sc
exquisiiely beautiful as now; and as tht
purpose of my visit suggested itself tc
me, | felt more hopelessly bashful than
eyer--it seemed that only the perfection
Of all manlincss should dare 10 ask ioI
the heart of so angelic being. sirug'
gled desperately against an inclination tc
retire before she should know of my
presence, aud to cut off any possibility o.
retreat cleared my throat violently.
Nellie turned quickly upon the piano
stool, without recovering from the soul
1 ful trance into which she had fallen, and
with her glorious eyes, she looked into
my face as If she would read my SOU.
"Nelliew exclaimed, but could no
remember another word OF the tender
declaration had composed before leav-
ing home.
was conscious OF flushing violently
aud Of opening my mouth to speak words
which would not come; but the search
ing eyes which were fixed on mine read
my story there, aud the ripe, tender lips
below them broke into pleased smile.
As she arose from the piano, |, with al
imploring look, threw my arms abou
her, and the dropping OF her beautiful
head upon my shoulder answered all my
uuspoken questions.
led my beautiful darling TO sofa
and there, with unloosened tongue,
whispered 10 her not unwilling ear I
story which seemed TO interest her great
ly. In the enthusiasm which possessed
me after | had regained my speech,
went beyond mere declaration OF low
II asked Nellie TO be my wife. She an
swcred in the sweetest whisper ia th'
world:
"Yes, II mamma is willing"
la an instant was shivering violently
Ask Mrs. Maylon's consent! | had rAlh
er have proposed TO half the marriage
able Young ladies ia New York! Not
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