The Clifton clarion., 1888-06-06
A TASTEFUL MAN,
The Great Sensation He Caused
 in a Bridal Chamber.

Senator Sebaston, of Arkansas, was a native of Hickman county, Tennessee. On one occasion a member of congress was lament ing his bashfulness and awkward ness.
 "Why," said the senator from Rackensack, ''you don't know what bashfulness is. Let me tell you a story and when I get through I will stand and bob if you don't agree that you never knew any thing about bashfulness and its baneful effects"
 "I was the most bashful boy west of the Alleghanies; I wouldn't t look at girl, much less speak to a maiden, but for all that fell des- perately in love with a sweet, beautiful neighbor girl It was a desirable match on both sides, and the old folks saw the drift and fixed it up. l thought I should die just thinking of it. I was a gawky, awkward country lout about 19 years old. She was an intelli- gent, refined and fairly educated girl for the country, and at times when the girls were superior in culture to the boys. 1 fixed the day as far as I could have It put off; l lay awake in cold precipitation as the time drew near, and shivered with agony at the terrible ordeal.
 The dreadful day came, I went through with the programme somehow in a dazed, confused mechanical sort of way, like an automaton booby through such games as 'possum pie," Sister Phoebe," and all that sort of thing. The guests one by one de- parted and my hair began to stand on end. Beyond the curtain of Isis lay the terrible unknown. My blood grew cold and boiled by turns. I was in fever and then ague, pale and flushed by turns. I felt like fleeing to the woods and spending the night in the barn, leaving for the west never to re- turn. I was deeply devoted to Sal lie. I loved her harder than a mule can kick; but that dreadful ordeal. I could not, dare not stand it. Finally the last guest had gone to bed and I was left alone-horrors of horrors-alone with the old man.
 "John," said he, you can take the candle; you will find your room just over this. Good night John, and may the Lord have mercy on your soul," and with a mischievous twinkle of his gray eyes the old man left the room.
 I mentally said Amen to his Heaven help you,' and when I heared him close distant door, I staggered to my feet and seized the farthing dip with a nervous clutch. I stood for some minutes contemplating my terrible fate and the inevitable and speedy doom about to overwhelm me. l knew it could not be avoided and yet I hesitated to meet my fate like a man. I stood so long that three love letters had grown on the wick of the tallow dip, and a winding sheet was decorating the side of the candle stick.
 A happy thought struck me. I hastily climbed the stairs marked the position of the landing and the bridal chamber. Iwould have died before I would have disrobed in that holy chamber where await ed me a trembling and a beautiful girl, blushing maiden clothed with her own innocence and mod esty and snowy robes de niut. I would make the usual preparations without, blow out the light, and open the door and friendly night would shield shrinking modesty and grateful darkness at least nit igate the horror of the situation. It was done.
 Preparations for retiring were few and simple in their character