Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-05-26
HOW HE PROPOSED.

Major Clinton was one of the most cour-
ageous fellows in the world, according to
the men who knew him, but when the
ladies Of his acquaintance heard this opin-
ion they laughed it to scorn, for they con-
sidered him the most timid creature they
had ever seen. He was very fond of ladies
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
married, had ever known him to express
his regard in any way that was not ex-
tremely decorous and formal. Flirt?
They would as soon think of a tombstone
or telegraph pole attempting to ilirt.
Most of the majors male acquaintances
carried scars on their hearts, as results
either of attacks more honorable than jul
dcious, or of sudden surprises by fair
sklrmishers; but no one could imagine
the major to have suffered any such mis-
hap, for he not only made no reconnois-
ances, but he always retired precipitately
within himself at the first flash of a pair
of eyes leveled directly at him.
The truth was that the brave major was
not only as modest as model maiden,
but he was painfully bashful beside. The
one desire Of his life was to marry, which
he was financially able to do, but the i'm
portant preliminary step of proposing was
one he had never dared to take. Until he
reached adult years he had met scarcely
any women but his two orphaned sisters,
to whom he had tried to be a father, and
upon whose rars purity and sweetness he
had based his ideas of womanhood. Both
married and went far from their old home,
80 they could not help him to gain wife
by dsabusing him Of his impression that
all women were too good for him. TO
Clinton nearly every woman appeared
saint. He worshiped one after another,
although only one at a time, and his tastes
were so correct that he was obliged to
change his divinity about once in three
months, to avoid worshiping another
mans wife. Whenever an old scar healed
and a delicious throbbing Of the heart
told Of new dart that had found its way
to his heart, he vowed solemnly to propose
at once, and vary the dreadful monotony
of having another man to step in before
him. And each time he delayed, just for
a day, or q week, or because he feared
too much, or hoped too wildly, and every
time he waited a little too long-every
time but one.
For when the major met Alice Waller
son he felt that to lose her, too, would be
more than his life could endure. She was
pretty, MS all women seemed to the major.
She was good and she was sweet, the major
was sure, else why were all other women
unusually fond of her? Best of all, she
seemed the most modest and bashful
maiden in the whole circle Of his acquaint-
ance, and through these qualities would
be able to offer him sympathy with feel
ings that all other people regarded with
provoking smiles.
He made several calls, with the inten-
tion of proposing, but every time his
courage failed him, besides Mrs. Waller
soE or Alice's sister Nell were always in
the parlor; Of course he could not say be-
fore two what he dreaded to say even with
single hearer. Worse still, Miss Nell,
who was brilliant brunette of the ire
pressible species, could not avoid teasing
him slyly at every possible opportunity,
and he always lost his tongue under her
onslaughts.
Then he tried to propose in writing,
and for week of evenings he wrote
steadily with no more satisfactory result
than note to Mrs. wallerson, in which
he intended TO inclose his proposal.
Chance finally came in pity to his aid.
Miss Nell, as one Of trio of girls who
had devised surprise party for recently
married friend, wrote to the major about
the project, and begged that he would call
and give her some assistance among their
mutual acquaintances among gentlemen.
As the major read her note brilliant
thought occurred to him. While talking
business Miss Nell certainly would not
endeavor to tease him; his bashfulness
never troubled him while talking with
ladies on any subject requiring common
sense, opinion and executive ability; he
should therefore be able to feel at ease
with Miss Nell, and while in that unusual
condition he would make a confidant Of
her and ask her advice and assistance.
So the major went to the Wallerson
home OH the evening appointed by mis-
chievous Miss Nell with stouter heart
than he had felt, outside Of business hours,
since the war ended. he arranged with