Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-04-01
Question Popping.

One of the most extraordinary uleth'
obs of popping the question, that per.
hnps ever came under the notice OF
the public. took place few days ago, at
J Toronto. Canada The WorM says: 1t
has furnished II fruitful III jet for COS
sip ard laughter for q whole business
street THIS is not leap year. and we
wan. the female portion OF society to
know it, too. They bad every chance
last wear, but wheu they begin to pop
the question promiscuously this year
We remind them that they can't divide
1881 by four without getting into troub-
IL with the last figure.
The day before yesterday we'll
dressed aud rather good-looklng woman,
who had every appearance Of being
accustomed to good society, quietly
entered a well-known wholesale hard
ware warehouse on the south side of
Front street, near Yonge. She met one
of the two gentlemen who are proprie.
tors and asked for stove. He replied
that he did not keep stoves. She then
desired to inspect ~his stock of scissors,
and the young man, fancyiug that she
kept store, showed her his stock.
Her heart did not appear to he in this
busiAess, however. aud she looked at
the young merchant oftener than at the
scissors. Finally she asked permission
to warm her feet, which was courteous
ly granted, and she was politely shown
into the Office and accommodated with u
chair ut the stove. Much to the aston
ishmcnt Of the young man, the lady
Sat there for two hours. and appeared to
be quite at home, and after perplexiDg
every body by her remarkable conduct,
she gravely took her departure.
She had been nearly forgotten, and
the clerks had ceased making copjoc
lures about her, when she suddenly
swooped down on them yesterday after
noon, accompanied by a younger and
prettier girl, also well dressed, and
bearing an dir of evident refinement.
The young partner scooted as soon as
he saw them and told his elder brother
that he would be syndicated if he had
any thing to do with them. HIS brother
who was suspicious of them, approached
and threw out some strong hints that
they were not wanted, whereupon the
younger lady left the building instant
ly, but No. held the ground and APP
peared perfectly composed. The elder
brother went into the Office to seek con-
ISOLATION, and, perhaps protection from
the clerks, stating his suspicion OF their
probable social status. "Pooh,' said
enc of the clerks, 81 know one of them
well. She is an active district visitor
in one of the largest churches in this
city. Her name is Miss -"
81 la nj. =
brother, 81 must apologize immediate
ly,' and he rushed up stairs like
lizard, and approached his fair visit
or, who glowed ut his approach. Bow
ing to the floor he became extremely
polite and very penitent, and expressed
his deep regret that he had been so
rude.
But why in the world did you not
make yourselves known?" he asked.
She rose and laid her hands on his
shoulders and whispered: 81 did not
wish to introduce her to you, you know.
I intended her for your younger broth
err. I"--she continued, devouring him
wita her eyes, and clinging trem blingly
to him, II am yours; have admired
you in the church, on tho streets and
elsewhere, Ior moutuSt anu iuy IoSC III
you is unspeakable. My heart will
break if you will not wed mo-"
Had the CHASTITY countenance OF the
merchant been photographed at this
trying moment the photographs would
have sold all over the world AS the best
specimen OF thoroughly frightened
man ever put on pasteboard. He was
struck dumb. and was in that interest
ing position that got tie immortal Pick
wick into such disgrace with the Widow
Bardell He shook himself free as
gently as possible.
MY darling!" she exclaimed.
The elder brother started. it was so
much like his own name, but gathered
strength enough to escort this remark
able woman to the door. telling her that
he was highly hattered with her atten-
tions, bat he was not a marrying man,
and she need not trouble herself to
come again" The rustic of IA WON.
ans dress coming through the office
door since then makes these brothers
turn whittier good deal than the snow
On King street.