Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-06-06
How He Proposed.

Major GintOn was one OF tDc most
courageous fellows in the world, ac-
cordng 10 the men who knew him, but
when the ladies Of his acquaintance
heard this opinion they laughed it 10
scorn, for they considered him the most
timid creature they had ever seen. He
Was very fond ofladies' society, they
said, or he would not spend all his
evenings at parties or making calls; Yet
not one lady, old or young, single or
NJ arlicd, had ever knewn him to ex-
press his regard in any way that was
not extremely decorous and formal
Flrt They would as soon think OF q
tombstone or a telegraph pole attempt
ing 10 firt. Most OF the majors male
acquaintances carried scars on their
hearts, as results either Of attacks more
honorable than judicious. or Of sudden
surprises by fair skirmishers; but nc
one could imagine the major to have
suffered any such mi,hap, for he not
only made no reconnoisances, but be
always retired precipitately within HIM
self at the first flash of pair of eye,
leveled directly at him.
The truth was that the brave major
was Dot only as modest as mode
maiden, but he was painfully bashful
beside. The one desire Of hi. life was
to marry, which be was financially able
10 do, but the important preliminary
step OF proposing was one be had never
dared 10 take. Until he reached adul
years he had met scarcely any women
but his two orphaned sisters, to whom
he tried to be father, and upon whose
rare purity and sweetness be bad baset
his ideas wOmanhood. Both married
and went far from their old home, sc
they could not help him 10 gain wit(
by dsabusiug him OF his impression
that all women were too good for him
To Clinton nearly every woman ap
peared a saint. lie worshipped one
after another, although only one at
tine, and lis tastes were so correct
that he was Obliged TO change biz
divinity about once 10 three months, t
avoid worshipping another mans wife
Whenever an old scar healed and
delicious throbblng of the heart told o.
Lew dart that had found its way t
his heart, he vowed solemnlV to pro-
pose at once, and vary the dreadful
monotony OF having another man Il
step in before him. And each time hC
delayed, just Tor a day, or a week, o
because he feared too much, or hope'
too wildly, and every time he walteC
little TOO long-eyery time but one
For when the major met Alice Wal
lersou he felt that to lose her, too
would be more than bis life could en-
dure. She was pretty, as all women
seemed 10 the major. She was goot
and she was sweet, the ma jor was sure
else why were al other women IN
usually fond of her? Best Of all, shl
seemed the most modest and bashiul
maiden In the whole circle Of his &C
quaiDtance, and through these quail
liljes would bs able 10 offer him sym
paiby with feelings that all othor pee
ple regard with provoking smiles.
He made several calls, with the in
tentlon of proposing, but eucry time bis
courage failed him, besides Mrs. Wal
lerson or Alice's sister Nell were al
ways 10 the parlor; Of course he coul'
not say before two what he dreaded
to say even with a single hearer.-
Worse still, Miss Nell, who was
brilliant brunette Of the irrepressibl
species, could not avoid teasing hin
slyly at every possible opportunity
and he always lost bis tongue unde
her onslaughts.
Then lie tried 10 propose in writing
and for week of evenings he wrote
steady with no more satisfactory re
suit than nole to Mrs. Walerson,
which he intended 10 inclose his pre-
lposal.
Chance finally came in pity to b
aid. Miss Nell, as one OF trio OF girl
who had devised a surprise party for
recently married friend, wrote TO tn
majcr, about the project, and begge
That he would call aud give her som