Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-10-30
Popping the Question.

of actual life. 1t is truer than histo-
ry because it gives not only the facts
but dialects too. The humorist gave
his sweet photograph tonight of a
New England courtship, to illustrate
humor.
Seven long years ago, said Eli, JON
as Harris began to keep company
with Hannah Bell, and as yet in all
that time he had not mustered cour-
age to propose certain important
question. His house was lonely and
waiting hers was lonely enough to
be vacated, and still Jonas could not
bring himself to speak the decisive
words. Many time he walked up
to her door with the courage of lion
only to find himself very mouse when
she appeared. He had never failed
in dropping in to cheer her loneliness
on Christmas evening, and this year
he presented himself as usual. The
hearth was swept, the fire burned
brightly, and Miss Hannah was adorn-
ed with smiles and a red bow. Con-
versation went serenly on for an hour
or so, and then, when they both sat
pairing red-cheeked apples with great
contentment, Jonas began to call up
on his recollections.
"It's good many years, amt it,
Hannah, since you and l sat here to-
gether?"
"Yes, good many"
81 wonder if l shall be settin' here
this time next year."
"Maybe I shan't be at home. Per-
haps l shall 60 out to spend the even-
ing myself" said Miss Hannah brisk
ly.
This was blow indeed, and Jonas
felt it.
"Where?" he gasped.
"Oh, | don't know" she returned
beginning to quarter her apple. 81
might be out to tea-over to your
house for instance"
"But there wouldn't be anybody
over there to get supper for you."
"Maybe l could get it myself"
$50 you could, so you could!' cried
Jonas, his eyes beginning to sparkle.
"But there would be nobody to cook
the pies and cakes beforehand"
Maybe l could cook 'em."
At that moment Jonas plate fell
between his knees to the floor and
broke in two, but neither of them no
ticed it.
Hannah" cried he, with the pent
up emphasis of seven long years
could you bring yourself to think o.
gettin' married ?"
A slow smile curved her lips; sure
ly she had been given abundant time
for consideration.
"Maybe | could" she returned de-
murely, and Jonas has admired him.
self to this day for leading up to the
subject so cleverly.
Then the humorist gave this Pop
ping the Question from his book "Wi
and Humor of the Age" to illustrat,
the witty way of handling the subject
One picture is true and the other i'm
aginary.
Her eyes shone beautiful, joyous
light, when Augustus leaned forward
and said /;
"Julia, | have something confden
tial to tell you."
"What is it, Augustus ?" she askec
in low silvery voice-a kind of ger
man silvery voice.
Nov, Julia, to be frank with you
: / think that under some circumstance
l might love you. Now, do you low
me ?"
"Yes, Augustus, do love you =
you know | do" and then she fun,
her alabaster arms around his neck.
81 am very glad, julia" he said
"for like to be loved"
"Well, Augustus p
But Augustus never said anothe
/, word, Qaughter) Fashionable fel
: lows never say more than that nova
days.
5 Alas, they were never married.
r Moral. Girls, never tell fellow
that you love him till he has aske'
I, you to be his wife.
The sweetest proposal ever dream
: ed of, said Mr.. Perkins, / think j
r from Austin Dobson:
+ MAY call you Paula ?" he aske'
t modestly.
f "Yes," she said family,
\ Dear Paula-.-may | call yov
e that r.
81 suppose so.'
do you know | love you ?"
Eyes"
"And shall | love you always ?"
"1f you wish to-"
And will you love me ?"
Paula did not reply.
, "But don't you love me in return?
!, "l love you to love me"
= won't you say anything more ex
plicit ?"