The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-01-03

n - >
Killwinning. Who seemed more than
ever ae reeahle aud polite 70 afl;; yet an
accurste observer might notice q slight
restlessnes and increasing anxiety,
which, without impairing his extreme
urbanity, seemed at variance with his
usual placid equanimity.
i Mrs. Clacket, who couldn't be silent,
and who, seated on Mr.. Killwinning's
right, kept upa running fire of small
talk, said:
my dear Mr.. Killwinning,a allow me
to congratulate you on-the Weather.
there certainly seemed to be no wife
forthcoming to congratulate him upon
this bright morning par
auspicious; aud you know the
old saying Happy isthe bride the sun
shines on
This was a sort of electric touch that
turned all ey es into a note Of interroga-
ton towards Mr.. Killwinning. He an
swered it with the most ingenious
smile, saying: r z
MY dear Mrs. Clacket, she shall be
as happy AS a devoted husband can
make her; and l trust she may long
look as bright and beautiful as she
does at this moment!'
More notes of Interrogation from la
dies eyes around This aliusiOn of
Mr.. Killwinning's gave the bride q
local habitation,' though no name.
She must be in the rOom-but where.
Some fancied she might be shut up in
the cupboard; others, that she was
under the table. Mr.. Flexible Flint,
a soft young gentleman, drawled out
to Miss Jenkens
Our friend, the bridegroom, appears
to be indulging in q hallucination,o or is
under the influence of ,un
less, my dear Miss Jenkens you are
the happy woman
oh, Heaven forbidn replied Miss
Jenkeps, with well-affected indigna-
ton.
Mr.. Killwinning-whose every word
and movement were undergoing &C.
we're criticism looked st his
watch. fa saai
He begins to suspect he's jilted,'
said Flint to Jenkens. 92.aH.s
Mr.. Killwinning rose, evidently for
the purpose of making y speech.
Poor devil! compassionately ex-
claimed Flint.
An awful pau'e ensued-all eyes
right on Mr.. Killwinnin9---No-on Que
had time to observe Bitidy snd Tim
popping their heads half in at the
door. - = 's@ff
Mr.. Killwinning commenced:
Ladies' and gentlemen-but espec-
tally the ladiesEI entreat your COM
passionate and patient attention to
what am about to say .qs.- nj. +
IT'S going to be his last dying
speech and confession,' whispered
Flint to Jenkens. 80 ie.sst :
Miss Jenkens replied in the usual
bad joke about the halter with y faint
smile intended to conceal her anxiety.
II find myself in q asoMewIat em-
barrassing position-I I,ye done . very
singularly bold thing I've invited you
to wedding, in the hope that GER
tain lady would honor me with her
hand and 1 have yet to ascertain
whether Pm to he triumphant, or to
suffer defeat. AS you are all plessed to
call me eccentric, you will, I know,
make eccentricity my excuse; but at
the same time, my dear ladies, in the
present instant ut least, allow sincerity
to be coupled with it. The fact is. /
have-in plain worhs-for some time
past been looking out for q wife; but
among SO many accomplished and
lovely women, could scarcely pre-
sume to hope. (Every face beamed
with an encouraging and radiant smile
towards Mr.. Killwinning at this COM
pliment.) Aud if I am to be rejected
when / name the lady-and she is in
this room at the present moment'-the
greatest excitement now prevailed,
with a faint cry from the little Potters
| hear there y but whether the verb OF
the adverb, it were indelicate to guess
= I confess that my presumption de
serves rejection /; and she shall have hel
revenge ON the spot by public refusal.
Here Mr.. Killwinning most provok
ingly began to beat about the bush. ]
doubt if I should ever have had the
good fortune-the young lady will par
don my presumption in venturing t.
say good fortune, until I know my
fate-wore it not that there seems to bs
a tacit agreement among her female
friends, that she was born to blush
unseen; and the gentle quiet resigna
ton with which she seemed to ente
into this very prejudicial arrangement
was 10 me, 1 confess, the most fsasci
mating charm that ever lovely woman
possessed, Ofall others she is the on
and the only one, would select for
wife; and, eccentric though l be, fee
assured that her delicacy would pardon
the mode in which thus testify to he
modest, unobtrusive worth, evel
though it be fatal to my present pre-
tensions, and I fear, ruinqus to my fn
ture happiness. conclude by iprO
posing-no; by respectfully 0lferin,
my hand and fortune to your you0ges
daughter, Mrs. Clacket.' s.sss. -.
| A very audible oh =. burst from Il
the ladies vt once. Ellen was on -
point of fainting, but was suppQFfp
by her astonished slater; AFss Clnckel
in q state between laughing aud dcfyfna
was giving Mr.. KiliwfnniDg,s han