The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-03-25
Our Olio.
Popping the Question.

y gentleman had long been paying at
tention to young lady whom he was very
anxious to marry, but TO whom he had
never vcntured to declare his passion
When opportunity offered his courage de-
serted him. and when he was resolved to
speak the fair one never could be found
alone or disengaged. Driven to despera-
ton he one day succeeded in accomplish
ing his purpose in a somewhat remarkable
manner, at a dinner party. To most people
dinner would hardly seem the most suita-
bic occasion for overtures of this descrip-
ton, especially when, as in this instance,
the lady is seated at the opposite side of
the table from her admirer The latter,
however, was equal TO the occasion. Tear
ing leaf from his poeketbook, he wrote
on it, under the cover of the table "Will
you be my wife? Write Yes or No at the
bottom of this
Calling servant, he asked him in a
whisper to take the slip-whieh of course
was carefully folded and direeted-to ''the
lady in blue opposite The servant did
as requested; and the gentleman, in an
agony of suspense, watched him give it to
the lady, and fixed his eyes, with badly dis
guised eagerness, to try and Judge from
her expression how the quantity made offer
was received He had forgotten one thing
namely, that ladies seldom carry pencils
about them at a dinner party, The be
loved one was, however, not to be haffled
by so triAiug an obstacle, After reading
the note calmly, she turned to the servant
aud said Tell the gentleman, Yes"
They were married in due course
When Professor Aytoun was wooing
Miss Wilson, daughter of Professor VIII
son, the famous Christopher North, he
obtained the lady's consent conditionally
on thai of her fathers being secured. This
Aytoun was much too shy to ask, and he
prevailed upon the young lady herself to
conduct the necessary negotiations,
I'VE must deal tenderly with his feel
ings, said the glorious Christopher I'm
write my reply on a slip of paper, and pin
it to the back of your froek. "
"Papa's answer Is on the back of my
dress, said Miss Jane, as she entered the
drawing-room, Turning her round, the
delighted professor read these words -
With the authors compliments.
In Lord Beaconsheldis novel an eceen-
tric old nobleman pops the question in the
following matter-oi.fact language: II won
der IL anything would ever induce you to
marry me p This was evidently intended
as n fresh illustration Of Lord Montford' ;
eecentrieity but it Is really much nearer
the terms in which the average man
proposes, than is che average proposal of
the novelist The Americans, we know.
carry everything to extremes, and We are
told that the New York young men have
reduced the formula Of the critical PROPOSE
ton TO a couple Of words-~Let's eonsoli-
date. Nothing, however, could be nearer
or more ingenious than the proposal of the
Irishman, who thus addressed the rustic
beauty upon whom he had set his affections
'Biddy, darlint, they've been tellin' me
there's too many Of US in the world. Now,
it you an me get the praste to make us two
wan, troth an wouldn't there be wan the
les p
Different customs prevail in different
countries in this as in other matters. A
curious ceremony, for example, is associated
with popping the question among the
Sanoyedes Of Russia When a young
Samoyede desires TO marry, and has come
to an understanding with the dansel of his
choice, he visits her father, and with a
short stick, taps him, and then the mother
IL the maiden. on the shoulder He then
demands the girl in marriage, and offers
the father and mother glass Of vodka
which he has brought with him. As a
token Of his goodwill the father drinks
the vodka; he tells the young man that he
has no objection, but that he must asks the
girls consent 4 few days later the young
man comes again, this time accompanied by
what servants he has, and provided with
plenty Of vodka His retinue remain out
side while he enters the room and seats
himself by the side Of his lady-love The
father hands the young man glas Of
vodka; he drinks half and hands the half
full glass under the left arm, to the girl
who finishes the draaght The father then
gives his daughter a glass of vodka, and
she in ike manner drinks half of it and
presents the remainder, with her left hand
under her right arm, TO her lover, who
drains the glass. After this the father
hands piece of raw meat to the young
nlan, who eats it, and then takes piece
from the floor, eats half and then presents
the other half under his left arm, to the
girl to finish She ia return takes piece
Of meat from the floor, eats half and hands
the other half, under her right arm, to the
Young man to finish This extraordinary
ceremonial would appear to complete the
transaction, and may be regarded as syn
onymous with our engagement The feast
ing and other ritual necessary to ratify the
contract generally takes place soon or inn
mediately afterward.
80 YOU would not take me to be twenty"
said young lady to her partner while
dancing the polka one evening, what
would YOU take me for, then?" "For bet
ter, for worse, replied he; and he was ac-
eepted. Here is another ease in point.
Riding home from the hounds after a GER
tain famous county meet, lady observed
to her companion "Why should we not
marry. sir9 "Ahr' said Sir John, shat
is what have often thought myself.
And married they were-ChGmbers
Journal