Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1885-12-15
MISCELLANEOUS.
Bashful.

BaShful.
Mr.. Champion was a good-Iool<ing
young man, and quite a favorite
among the girls, on account of his
curly hair, lauguishing eyes and
"l love of moustache," and, but for
one thing he would have been all right
enough; but my hero was afflicted
with the most provoking of ailments
extreme bashfulness, which excited
alternately the pity and amusement
of his various aquaintances.
Among Mr.. Crampton's friends
was damsel of some eighteen sum-
mers, who had made decided i'm
preston upon his susceptible heart.
She was a tiny little fairy, with
profusion of light, flowing hair, and
mischevious blue eyes which struck a
strange thrill to the heart of our poor
hero whenever they were turned in
his direction.
The consequence was that, after a
short acquaintance, Mr.. Champion
was desperately and overwhelmingly
in love with her. As Pat very sensi-
bly, remarks, he couldn't sleep for
dramin' of her," so you see, when
matters got to that crisis, they must
have been pretty SERIOUS.
Having thus surrendered his heart,
Mr.. Champion was thrown into per-
feet turmoil of doubt, perplexity and
distress. One thing was needed to
make him happy, and that was to as
certain that his love was returned;
but, alas here came the tug of war
for with his extreme bashfulness, he
would sooner have walked up TO the
cannon's mouth than to have declared
to Miss Phebe May his love; at the
same time he was quite positive that
he could not possibly live without her;
so my poor herO's predicament was
decidedly an unpleasant one.
Things went on in this way for
sometime, until finally he felt that he
could stand it no longer! He re-
solved with true herOism to overcome
his bashfulness for once, and learn
his fate; so, one afternoon, summon
ing all his fortitude, he arrayed him
self in his best " Sunday-go-to-mcet-
ing" suit, arranged in the most fault
less manner, and, taking his gloves,
sailed forth.
beg paldon!-the last few words
were slightly incorrect. He got as
far as the door; but here his forti-
tude suddenly felt the emergency too
great, and retired precipitateIy, Ieav-
ing poor Mr.. Champion in chair at
the farther corner of the room!
Five mortal times did that heroic
young man endcavor to cross the
threshold of his door, and as many
times did his courage fail him, and he
inevitably found himself at the end
of few moments back in the chair.
shaking from head to foot, and ner-
vously pulling at his gloves, thereby
threatening their ultimate destruc-
tion!
But-to his everlasting renown be
it spoE1en-the sixth time he deter
mined that he would 20 on; and, with
a great effort, succeeded in making
the start.
The residence of Miss Phebe was
but a few blocks off, and his courage
sustained him until he reached the
very corner, and then-I don't know
whether it was that the side street
offered such an inviting promenade,
although Pm inclined to think it
wasn't that-but, at all events, after
/ fuctuating on that precise corner for
about minute he started down it at
a rate that threatened soon to precip-
itate him into the Atlantic Ocean or
fetch him up among the Antipodes.
Our hero continued this headlong
pace for about FIVE minutes; then, as
his scattered senses began to come
back to him he stopped for moment
to think.
This will never do - he exclaimed
at last. - must know my fate to-
day." and he turned back and finally
reached the house.
With trembling heart he ascended
the steps and rang the bell. He was
admitted by a servant, falteringly in
/ quired for Miss May. and the next
moment found himself alone in the
parIor.
After lapse of about five minutes,
a light step was heard on the stairs,
and 8Ir. Champion knew that his di-
vinity was coming. at that sound,
his first impulse was 10 rush for the
door; but, controlling himself by a
great effort, he waited her coming.
We will mention just here that our