Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-09-09

lovers has awaited the proposal Of man
The sweet old story has been told again
and again by old and young, by lips trem-
ulous and lips firm. Fiction, the mirror
fe, has pictured for US the teeting
the trembling voice, the clasped
III the progress of the world and the
alution Of the novel the form OF the pro-
os,l has changed from grave To gay from
the stltcd and courtly to the most de
lghtfully oHband declaration Literature
shows the lover true tn his time from the
day when Jacob met Rachel at the well
down tn the electric present
AS the world emerged from the darkness
of the middle ages life lost something of
its simplicity and the expression of its
emotions became more complex problem.
The courtships In our earliest English fie-
ton are intricate affairs in which the
real feeling seems well nigh hidden be
meath the kid gloved etiquette and the
stilted phra seology Of the time.
Imagine a nineteenth century girl living
through such narrowing experience as
that OF the heroine Of The Mysteries Of
Jdolpho" or OF Amanda In Children of
the A Abbey" II must have been extremely
depressing, and We do not wonder that the
tears OF sepsiblity were always coursirg
down Amanda checks. No proposal was
properly carried out by the knesling swain
without general accompaniment Of signs
and tears and deathlike swoops
Dickens, that master Of human emo
tons, has varied style, yet one easily an
alzyed. With his fun loving disposition be
could not fail TO detect in peoples love
affairs the element OF comedy, and this he
holds up to us in clear light For pure
fun what could excel that most unique
proposal OF MIR. Barkis?
The old carrier and the youthful David
had bean discussing pegeottys culinary
skill and Barkis had been assured that the
field was clear OF rivals. David tells the
story;
"'Ah" he said. slowly turning his eyes
toward me. Well, IL you was writin to
her, p'raps you'd recolect to say that
Barkis was willin, would your
That Bsrkis was willing repeated
innocently. Is that all the message
." Yee-s, ne said considering. Ye.es,
Barkis is wilin.
Strange to say, this brave beginning
was devoid Of effect PcCretty after the
receipt OF the message remained as silent
tho sphinx. When David took his next
ride in the cart, the old carrier was un
happy.
When man says he's willin, said
M. BHrkis, 1T $ as much as to say that
man 5 waitin for "a answer.
&" Havo you told her SO, Mr. BnrkisE'
'N-no, r-owled Mr.. Barkis, rejecting
about it. 1 ain got no call to go and
tell her SO. never said six words 60 her
myself. l mint "a goin to tell her 90. -
Again David acts rs mediator and Mr.
Barkis gives Lin his message
- says you, PegRotty, Barkis is waitin
for an answer" says She PERHAPS An
swer to what Says you, To what l
told you" What is that" says she
"Barkis is wi.-ln, says you .
Or take the immortal courtship of David
and Dora. David was struck with bash
! fulness and thought first that he would,
then that he dared not, till Dora reproach
ed him for his neglect. Then he flung
! prudence and bashfulness TO the four winds
and told 1t all In "a minute He raSeG,
Dora cried, .Iip harked, David protested
that mo lover had over loved, might,
| could, would or should ever love" as he
| loved Dora. The more madly David
raved the more nadly .Iip barked. Then
in minute 1t was all over and they were
| engaged.
Dickens had, however, too much rever.
ence for real love TO hold it up 10 ridicule
He raises laugh at times but when le
| depicts the real thing, the genuine God
| given love between man and woman, lie
| puts INTO II al the sweetness and dignity
ana beauty OF which such master is
capable
| George EIlots proposals are harder 10
| ciassily' She never provokes smile. Lie
ana rove are TOO earnest ana too sad 1t
Is ulincuI' 10 polnt out IN her writings
single instance OF thorouRh!y happy love
Inert is Always some grim SHADOW stand
/ ing u! 10 roo lhe most sincere IoVe OF lis
/ P,Fectiltss' / or Imam Morris ana AGAIN
DoUe mere was present Jhe thou9ht OF
| los. h,tty' b"ilci IJerohca IN ASH
ING '1r h4raH rove ASKED also 10 De al
'o"'u 10 sharo IN 'he pam ana disgrace
"nieh h'r laIhcr Drought upon her
] ltFnAtS ms ever Present pam Is trutF