Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-06-23
SINGULAR PROPOSAL.
1t Was Cowardly, but it Came Out All
Right.

Right.
While phonograph was on exhibition
a short time ago it was put to a use which
even the Wizard" Edison probably never
thought that it would be. At an hour
when there were but few in the place,
well-dressed. good-looking young man came
in and stood for some time watching and
listening to the wonderful machine. After
short time he entered into an earnest
conversation with the man who was opera
ting the instrument. At first the operator
wore mystifed look, but that gradually
melted into an amused smile as thee con-
versation went on. Finally he seemingly
consented to the young mans wishes, and
they both went closer to the phonograph.
The visitor looked nervously around, but
as there was no one near by he began talk
ing into the machine He said only few
words, and then turning to the operator
he said earnestly:
Remember tomorrow"
The man smiled again and nodded his
head. The next day at about the same
hour the nervous visitor of the day before
appeared at the place again, but this time
he was not alone. Accompanying him
was pretty young woman about 10 years
old. The young man was more nervous
than ever, and while the couple were look
ing about the place and examining the diff
terent articles of interest the young woman
noticed her companions uneasiness and
spoke to him about it several times. He
passed the matter over lightly, though
rather awkwardly, and assured her that
there was nothing the matter with him.
She plainly saw that something was wrong
and suggested that they should go out of
The place. AT this suggestion he earnestly,
almost with desperation, protested, and in
sisted that the, must not go until they
had heard the photograph. She con-
sented, and so they went -aar it. As they
approached the operator gave the Young
man smile OF approval. The young man
drew his companion close to the instru-
ment, all the time growing more nervous
than ever, and all the time glancing around,
looking for a convenient and safe retreat.
The strains of lively waltz began to flow
from the instrument, then suddenly the
music ceased, and after a seconds pause
the young woman heard the voice of her
companion addressing her. The words
that she heard were so unexpected that
she glanced quickly at his face, but his
iiPo "0iS tiSiIly CiOseu, anu ne was look
ing straight at the machine. Her look
followed his, and this is what she heard
coming from the phonograph:
Maize, | have loved you for a long
time, but have never dared to tell YOU so
will you be my wife,"
The operator watched the pair out of
the corner of his eye, an amused smile
playing about his mouth in the meantime.
When the sentence was completed he dis
creetly started the machine to singing
Down Went McGinty to the Bottom Of
the Sea-"
The young woman remained silent Tor
moment, looking straight ahead, then
turned toward her companion. There was
no mistaken that look. He appeared to be
choking, so red was his face. She blushed
violently, and touching him on the arm.
while her face was turned from him, she
said in voice not at all steady:
Come, let us CO."
As they disappeared through the door
the operator laughed quietly to himself
and muttered:
Variety is the spice of life, sure"
A few days afterward the young man ap-
Peared again, and this time his face was
wreathed in smiles as he approached the
phonograph man. He shook him heartily
by the hand and said:
"She called me coward, but I don't
care. It's all right now. Many thanks"