The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1880-05-20
.ssas WELLINGTON, o. THURSDAY $780,

ly better, quite skilled in the art of par
rying those terrible little thrusts from
searching eyes. But If the truth must
be told-and, with the noble example
of Baron Munchausen and his little
hatchet before me, suppose it must
no eyes had been in the store, that is,
none that Van minded-none but some
quiet, spectacled ones belonging to
quiet, elderly ladies. But at last love-
ly young creature, with just the most
ully-bewitching smile, and the
most scaringly-brilliant eye, made her
appearance. Then he realized the rea-
son of his previous calmness all the
morning. One shy glance at her sent
the Chinese revolving lights dancing
over his face, and he felt that even the
lives of the martyrs and the good
breakfast had failed to give him cour-
age to meet such foe; and he vaguely
wondered if there would be any great
harm in poor frightened fellows slip
ping under the counter until the enemy
had departed. But finally he gave his
cheeks vigorous rubbing and desper-
ately asked: "What will you have,
ma'am-miss?'
A A"Heart that's Kind and True"
"We are-we are-that is, sir-miss,
we are out of hearts just now, but
reckon you'll find some next door,"
The young lady was puzzled by his
reply; but thinking he had not heard the
name of the song, she glanced at a lit
tie memorandum and continued: Sc
want a Heart that's Kind and True, +"
'One Fond Heart and Il Should Like
to Marry" -
As she paused Van gasped: I'VE are
all, every one of us-we are all en-
gagged, a'am, or THAT is, Mr.. Peters,
at the other counter there, would be
most happy" .-,
"But you are not too much en-
gagged to wait on me. are you?" said
the young lady, a little ''off the track. +"
al never wait on any ladies nowadays
when was-was young did; you
see, rm-rm already engaged to be
married; yes: I'm engaged to seven or
eight folks, You see." Il,
The young lady thought Van was
rather an oddity; but she continued
calling over her list, eel Love Thee
Still, and Am 1 Not Fondly Thine
Own"
"Oh, Lord, no, ma'amr' replied
Bodkins, with the energy of despera-
tion."
what a queer young man,"
thought the lady. "Well, I'll try him
with one more old song. Then. smil-
ing sweetly, she said, sPd Offer Thee
this Hand of Nine" -7 80
"Oh, law! monster-that is, miss
stammered poor Van, glancing at the
pretty hand he thought was being
"offered" him, and putting his own to
rubbing his kaleidoscope countenance
know it's leap-year, mons-I mean
dear madam--but I'm very sorry to say
that, as l remarked before, / am al
ready married. Ihave five or six wives
already, or should be happy to accept
you know, indeed, I'm very much
married."
This remark brought such merry
laugh from the pretty lips that Van be-
came more confused than ever. eE
just then one of his brother clerks,
passing near, winked and teasingly
whispered, "For goodness sake, Bod
kins, you heartless flirt, quit making
love to all the girls!' @
This increased his embarrassment,
and the last feather of his woe was
added when the enemy remarked:
"Come to this Heart SO Lonely" lal
Poor. dismayed, trembling. varie-
gated-faced, blushing Bodkinsn' This
was more than he could stand. With a
long-pent-up cry, low groan of des-
pair, he fled from the awful presence!
He rushed past Mr.. Peters, knocked
over a guitar, upset weakened
young man, burst into the head of big
drum, and finally ended his inglorious
career as a music clerk by taking refuge
under a piano in an adjoining room.
Pretty maidens of New Orieans-and
your name is legion!-when you want
music, remember it is leap-year-and
think of bashful Bodkins!- Pleasant
Riderhood, in N. o. Picayune.