The daily gazette., 1881-12-27
Tom Williams Courtship
BY W. w.

Aou hiamb was One OI tnO6e IDLE,
iounging, good natured young gen.
tlemen who sport off their fathers, and
who, by their civilities and llberallty,
win the affection of maidens. lie was
considered the beau of the little
watering place In which he resided, and
took great pains TO please the tairer
sex.
One evening, when the evening
b.eezes softly Fl tied by and the birds
twittered and sung their sweetest
songs, Tom took stroll down the
street, dressed IN his finest costume,
TO sec what damsel he could charm.
tie was whistling his favorite tune,
"Rock me TO Sleep, Mother" when he
deserted a pretty female tripping
along before him. Her elastic step
and saucy mien at once caught his eye,
and he determined to folio her and
lind out where she lived.
~ must discover some one who is
acquainted with her," thought Tom,
for she certainly is most bewitching."
The night came on, and Tom retired
with his heart all in nutter and he
slept little, for The image of the uns
known was constantly before him.
Weeks went by and though he passed
by the door every day in his prome-
nades, he never obtained glimpse of
his adorable.
swell, Tom, are you going to that
party tomorrow night ?" asked Jack
Sharpwater.
"Well, / don't know. l have an
invitation" was Toms answer.
"You had better come-ths beauty,
Miss Wallace, will be there"
"Who may she be, aud where does
she live ~ eagerly asked Tom.
"At 1877 Rome street."
"I'll be there-or-or-I'll"
could utter no more /; his heart was in
his throat (; and turning, he left Jack
standing ON the corner.
$50 she is to be there Well, the
gods have aided me. / believe in
Occasia worship the goddess as
love Miss Wallace. Oh may l bo
successful"
The evening of the party came. 81
will enter late," thought Tom, "for
that Is fashionable; and when she sees
all the guests shaking hands with me
she will think Pm somebody; and that
will be in my favor" The dancing
had begun and the room was "filled
with muslin" long before Tom arriv-
ed. Suddenly the bell rang and the
servant ushered in "Mr. Williams"
"Why, friend Thomas. how are
you glad to see you; had given you
up" cried out Jack Sharpwater; then
aside, "Come, Ill introduce you to
onder beauty"
"Miss Wallace, Mr.. Williams.
Tom bowed and soraped, and begged
the ''sweetest of privileges" that OF
waltzing with her. OF course she
willingly assented. Now Tom was
considered good dancer but on tins
occasion he completely failed. All
flushed and trembling, he led his part
ner to a seat. -."
"Mr. Williams, you ought to learn
the art" said Miss Wallace.
This nerved Tom, so he made
another attempt, and to his delight
succeeded. Oh, how pleased was the
young lady She talked and laughed,
and SO Tom was happy.
"You do splendidly," she remarked
as they finished.
There was slight breeze stirring tht
leaves OF the vines that would them
selves around the posts and covered The
banisters, and as the warmth Of tht
room was very oppressive, Tom proposed
walk on the gallery. What passed
there let not the historian any; but le
1t be known that during the remainder
of the evening, Mr.. Williams and Miss
Wallace were rather loving. 1t was evi
dent that Tom was iavo1iLe.
"You must call and see ma, she sal,
as Tom bid her good night at her door
He did visit her. 1t was general,
xnown there were soon TO be married
In fact, the wedding day was appointed
and Tom waa in ecstacy over his victory
1t was the evening before the care
: mony was to take place that the love
turned his steps toward his intended
dwelling. She was sitting in the pal
lor conversing with tall, dark mar
. | with curly hair and sparkling eye:
whom she introduced as her cousin, MI
Dousinbury.
Tom was somewhat annoyed at MI
Douisbury's familiarity with Miss Wa
lac., but she quilted him by saying a
he bid her good night, "Don't mind m.
cousin; he's singular fellow" "Coa
sin or no COUSIN" thought Tom, mu
stop him alter Tomorrow.
That night our hero slept bu littl'
and long before the sun had gained hi
regal seat his steps were turned towar
bis aftianeed's dwelling. lie rang th
J bell. A strange servant opened th
door, aDi TO his astonishment hande
him letter and closed the door. u
read:
DEAR Tom: Now donpt cry pleas
don't. l know il's hard, but the trut
is, am married woman-a marie
tlirt. Mr.. DOuisbury is no other tina
Mr.. Wallace, my husband. Do nj
weep, but console yourself, for You Al
hot The first who has suffered by falli1
in love with me. Good-by. start Il
home by the O'Clock morning train.
Miss alias MRS. WALLACE
p. S.--My young friend, in futu
mind how you fall in love. The fair
sex are o. tricklish.
RpsDectfuly,