Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-11-17
ACQUISITION IN ETIQUETTE
BY RICHARD HAMILTON POTTS.


of me; a lunch-party four long blocks
ahead OF me, my home, in the far dis
Cance, behind me; cloudy sky, from
which desccnds fine, but steady
sprinkle, above mel wish coula
add, aud an umbrellas damp, and
rapidly growing sloppy pavement be-
meath me; no possible car or omnibus,
no cab-stand. Oh for plcbcian
street, with it's multitude of conven-
iencesl But my mind refuses TO grasp
The bliss therein conveyed. 1t nies,
instead, to the feathers on my hat, the
velvet on my gown
had left my home rather hurricdly,
and, deceived by a hypocritical little
ray of sunshine, had been lured forth
TO find myself in this plight OF course
could mount the steps OF one of the
irreproachable houses that line my
path; but there should be tied. and
the rain would only increase, and |
should late for the luncheon. No, it
is impossible.
| quicken my steps. i have pro-
ceedcd to the crossing; the drizzle is
maturing into well-defined drops that
come faster and faster. Despair has
me in his fell grasp. sec my pet cos
tume bedraggled and ruined wreck.
4 reflect on the state of my finances,
which precludes the possibility of my
rising above cashmere = nay, even
serge-again this winter. give my
skirts vigorous hitch that would lead
one to forget my ankles and reflect on
my knees, and make forward lunge
more remarkable for it's desperate en-
ergy than its grace.
"Er-pardon me-" says q manly
voice, trifle hesitatingly, at my ell
bow.
start violently and my skirts seek
their proper level. A large umbrella
is sheltering me; the rain no longer
patters among the feathers that crown
my head.
ALLOW me to share my umbrella
with you. | see that you are without
one" adds the manly voice.
"Oh, thank YOU" | say, rs ! recover
somewhat, and gather, from the own
er's general appearance, that he is
gentleman and, in all probability,
means his protection in kindness and
not as means to getting up II tlirta-
ton. Perhaps l ought to refuse his
aid, politely and graciously, of course,
with the simple remark that | have
not far to go and so shall not require
his assistance Maybe | should draw
myself up, in the approved insulted
maidenhood style, and say:
"Siri thank you, but l can get
along very well by myself"
If he looked tri1le less respectful
and gentlemanly think | would sac
rifice Nine. Boland's latest, and as
yet unpaid for, effort in my behalf;
but am sure he is not going to say
anything the most prudish could OBJ
ject to At any rate my situation, un-
Il! now, has been really pathetic; so /
shall try obeyiug my own instinct,
and if | have cause to regret it | shall
know better in future, and the expert
ence will not hurt me.
We have traversed block in silence
Tic walks by my side, perfectly grave
and quiet, and only seems to glance in
my direction to see that | am we'll
protected. | am thankful that took
his offer the way it was meant, and
did not give him reason to regret his
generous impulse. On we pace, and
there enters my mind the quotation:
Thou art so near and yet so far"
But, seriously, he certainly is very
nice not to try to get up converse
tion which would only make me thor
oughly stiff and uncomfortable. can
just hear an ordinary man beginning:
Its damp day." or, Pretty wet,
isn't it?" or Have you far to go,
miss?" or addressing some equally
commonplace sentence to me-
1t seems strange, though, to walk
along SO close to anyone and not utter
word. wonder if ought to speak;
but no, he appreciates my position.
What could say, anyway? | will
ehank him when we separate, and
that is all can do. | may not be
gracious enough, considering his po-
liteness, but how can one be gracious
to a stranger? Oh, for surreptitious
peep at book on etiquette!
instead, take quick look at him.
de is very frank looking, and he has
straightforward, steady, brown eyes
as | discovered in my first startled
glance at him. Altogether, it would
have been impossible to have snubbed
him. Perhaps am little shaky ir
my conviction, and l am trying tc
justify myself, but
Here stumble thanks to my van
ity in wearing French heels, which
did make me trifle unsteady, anC
should fall were it not for his quicl
assistance.
Thanks" murmur, with m,
checks burning. My eyes meet his
and pause ensues; but then a paus,
has been ensuing ever since we met
or-that is-came together.
II hope am not taking you out o
your way" add, with happy inspir
ation-
Not at ALL" he rejoins, earnestly
II trust you will allow me to see yol
TO your destination"
You are very kind. am going t.
nine hundred and twenty-scven OF
this street, so we are nearly there"
In another moment we have reache