Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-02-13
MARRIED WITHOUT PROPOSING.

"Perhaps you wrote an Offers"
No, did not write an offer. ~
Perhaps you got some one else to
ask for your
Wrong again"
Perhaps your wife popped the ques.
tion to youq''
Not bit of it, But IL you like
viii tell You the whole story.
when was young was what may
be called a mild youth tyou may laugh)
and greatly given to playing the flute,
attending lectures on phrenology and
such like dissipations. Photography,
too, bad Just come up, and for a long
time i felt il my duty to fill up note
books with rows Of strange looking fig
ures that would have puzzled Pitman
himself to make out,
."Of course had companion in all
this, a perfect counterpart, with only
one drawback. He had sister about
II years old. | was little Hhy and
afraid OF the drawback (the sister,
mean).
Well, did take the flute and play
duets with the pianoforte, until good
deal OF the shyness wore off, and We
got on with our photography swim
mingly. Being fond of knowledge my
self there was naturally great deal of
pleasure in impHrting it to another. At
first Brown took lessons with Emily,
but he soon got tired, and we were left
to pore over the lesson book together.
AS soon as Mrs. Brown learned that
we had advanced as far as the CORE
spending style-'Ah,' said she, you
and Emily must write to each other
some poems in photography. How
would that doY' We could but try it, but
found so many mistakes that it was
generally necessary to read the poems
over together afterward.
We'll, this went on for year or so,
until, tired Of doing nothing myself
though my father, as every one know,
was very well off | suddenly made
up my mind to go TO Australia.
" AT once took berth in the Black
Bali clipper to sail in week, and
was, of course, much busted in pre-
pairing the necessary outfit. The first
excitement over, | remembered that
had neglected to return Miss Brown a
photographic exercise. and not having
time to call, enclosed it by post,
with few words, also in photography,
accompanying it,
Two DAYS before tho Black Baler
was to sail | found time to call at the
Browns. | met Brown just outside,
who told me 10 go in and he would be
back presently.
II was shown into the drawing
room; IL was empty. | amused myself
for few minutes looking over some
pictures. Presently there was a rustic
at the door, and almost before could
turn to see who it might bo / found
mysehlf embraced, believe even kissed
"Of course there was some mistake,
but it suddenly occurred to me that ii
was very pleasant one, and Just at
the moment who should be passing the
door but Brown, Sr.
"He seemed to take the scene in at
glance, walked up to me, gave me n
hearty slap on the shoulder, and with
| a laugh, said, 1T is Just what | eX-
pected. OF course Mrs. B. entered
Immediately after, and young Brown
came double knocking at the door 10
make another witness of the little
| drama.
GAN this time Emily's head was on
my shoulder, and she calculated some
thing about my dear letter. i was
afraid to speak, them and so on.
"The next balf hour is blank. !
know that letter was brought to me
from the agent of the Black Baller re-
gretting that by some mistake berth
had not been secured for me, but that
the ticket would be available for any
vessel of the company And, what is
somewhat to the point, / remember
that it was settled that we were to be
married in three months.
well, time rolled on. We came tc
Australia, and soon settled down into
comfortable home.
Zone day Mrs. g., putting some
boxes straight, made grand start. and,
pulling out piece of paper covered
with shorthand, exclaimed:
Why Tom, here is that dear letter
Of yours that brought us so much
happiness.
% letter. said /; what letter. Per.
hapH you will be good enough to read
it.
" Certainly said Mrs. e., and ther
read in mock sentimental tone -
return your exercise corrected.
| send it by post, as under the circum-
stances | cannot see you personally.
admit that ! ought to have told yov
before that | love you, but really
could not Pray forgive me.
Yours truly,
" Thomas Green.'
saw the thing at once. As have
already stated, the letter was il
photography and without vowels.
had merely intended to inform her o
my departure, and to excuse mysel
for the neglect of not letting my friendl
know it earlier. But mademoiselle haC
read it l love you, instead of Il leave
you. And that is how | got married
without popping the question.
g took possession Of the precious
epistle-- the dear letter. and when
ever Mrs. G. is in a teasing mood
have only to draw it slowly out of m,
pocketbook and the tables are at oncl
turned. We still find phonograph,
useful, but are every particular abou