The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1880-02-20
THE USUAL WAY.
A r U r A L r. Q M A N c L =.
by L'ESTELTE.
[ron THE onANGEpURG DEMoCRAT.l

al j. l~Sl ILL A'
He was pretty fair specimen Of
the average young man whom VIC
meet daily on the street, and sue was
not at all remarkable, just such Il
young lady rs We may see any Sab
bath huttering her ribbons at church
or reclining in rocking chair obsorb'
ed in the perusal Of q late novel. Nor
was there anything extraordinary in
the way they met. lie had seen her
hundred times, perhaps, and, doubt
Jess, his features were equally famil-
Jar to her, though when young ladies
give side glances across, the same in
.iividual does not always arrest the
rowing eye. But these two thought
Jess young people, having frequently
detected each other making similar
explorations, privately lattered them.
selves that each was an object Of spc-
cial interest to the other, and expert
:enccd considerable self:complaccncy
while indulging the fond dclusion.
At length their uncSprcsscd ankle
,ty was rewarded. They met. The
introduction occurred in q common
place, accidental manner, neither
pought nor .contrived by either party.
They were in attendance at picnic,
and he, having occasion TO speak to Il
friend Oh the committee of arrange
ments, approached . group where
she was standing, and was presented
with the customary formality.
"The pleasure Of her company" be-
ing asked and obtained, lie passed
some portion of .he day with his new
acquaintance, giving just SO much
of his attention rs polilcncss required.
Afterwards, whenever they saw each
other, gleam Of intelligence replac-
cd the Indifferent, non-committal look
OF strangers. Occasionally an en-.
counter took place on public grounds,
and once or twice they happened to
meet at the house Of 4 mutual friend.
At such times, their intercourse pro-
crossed in an evidently satisfactory
manner. One evening some affair Of
trivial Importance took him to her
residence, and lie enjoyed the chance
call 30 much, that it was really won
DER full how frequently it was repeated
after that, some plausible pretcxt cf-
fectually bin ling him rs to the OBJ.
iect Of his visits, and he confidently
thought everybody else equally as
much deceived.
What she thought was not OF much
consequence yet, as no sensible, mo-
dest young lady looks at every one in
,troduccd into her sphere il the light Of
a possible or probable suilor, or com
pares the respective merits Of imagi-
nary candidates for her hand.
1t is sheer presumption in any in
dividual who indulgcs in such suppo-
sitions or specuiations with regard
to another unless that other coniers
the right. How despicablc the boast
ing, arrogant manner Of some per-
sons who have much higher opinion
of themselves than others could pos
sibly entertain. How ludricrous the
lofty disdain with which the public
is informed that specified characters
fail to meet the requirements Of the
fastidious taste, aud would be sum
marily rejected were lie or she pre-
sehtcd for their disposal. What right
have you, young man, to think that
any fair maiden awaits your beck or
call? What right, young lady, to
suppose any man your special admir-
er without convincing proof? 1t is
an infringement upon individual free
dom of thought and will, violation
of that personal liberty Of which we
are all prone to be jealous, whenever
such prerogaLivc is usurpcd.
Wet, sometimes when two innocent,
pnsqspecting persons are seen to be
enjoying each others companionship,
their fate is frequently determined on
in the minds Of the spectators before
thought of it occurs TO the chief &c,
torslin the little drama, and if they
neglect TO close the blinds, it does
nfotitake o long while for the outside
llookiers-on 70 draw the curtains aside.
So insthis instance, before the parties
areantTof danger, or suspected The
existence of any unusual interest,
they heard their names associated,
and hpra mo 1tnuSt tpmnl ~ tho ;lo,