Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-06-15
HOW HE PROPOSED.

Major Clinton was one of the most eour-
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;
vet not one lady, old or young, single or
married. had ever known him to express
his regard in any way that was not ex-
Jremely decorous and formal. Flirt
They would as soon think of a tombstone
or telegraph pole attempting to firt.
Most Of the MAJORS male acquaintance
carried scars On their hearts, as results
either of attacks more honorable than
judicious, or of sudden surprises by fair
skirmishers; but no one could imagine the
MAJOR to have suffered any such mishap,
for he not only made no reconnoisances,
but he always retired precipi tately within
himself at the Grst fash of pair of eyes
leveied directly at him.
The truth was that the brave major was
not only as modest as model maiden, but
he was painfully basIful beside. The one
desire Of his life was to marry. which he
was financially able to do, but the impor-
tant 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 tried to be father, and upon
whose rare purity and sweetness he had
based his ideas Of womanhood. Both mar
ried and went far from their old home. so
they could not help him to gain wife by
disabusing him of his impression that all
women were too good for him. To G Hin
ton nearly every woman appeared saint.
He worshipped one after another, although
only one at a time, and his tastes were SO
correct that ne was obliged to change his
divinity about once in three months, to
avoid worshipping another mans wife.
Whenever an old scar healed and delici-
Gus throbbing of the heart told of new
dart that had found its way 20 his heart,
he vowed soIemnly topropose at once, and
vary the dreadful monotony of having an
other man to step in before him. And
each time he delayed, just for a day, or a
week, or because he feared too much, or
hoped too wildly, and every time he wait.
ed "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
h1c amid
pretty, as all women seemed to the major.
She was as good as she was sweet, the
major was sure, else why we're all other
women unusually fond of her Best of all,
she seemed the most modest and bashful
maiden in the whole circle of his acquain-
lance, and through these qualities would
be able to offer him sympathy with feel
ings that all other people regard with pro-
voking smiles. l
He made several calls, with the intention
of proposing, but every time his courage
failed him, besides Mrs. Wallerson or
Alice's sister Nell were always in the par
lor; of course he could not say before two
what he dreaded to say even with single
hearer. Worse still, Miss Nell, who was
a brilliant brunette of the irrepresslble
species, could not avoid teasing him slyly
at every possible opportunity, and he al
ways lost his tongue under her onslau ghts.
Then he tried to propose in writing and
for week of evenings he wrote steadily
with no more satisfactory result than a
note to Mrs. Wallerson, in which he in
tended to inclose his proposal.
Chance finally came in pity to his aid.
Miss Nell, as one of trio of girls who
had advised surprise party for recently
married friend, wrote to the major, about
the project, and begged that be would call