Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-07-05
| LEAP YEAR
PRIVILEGE

13athla Ann Jones, it's got to come
abo,lts' she finally said to herself
aloud. This Is leap year, and there's
4 privilege goes with it."
Having got that far, her thoughts
naturally turned TO possible candidates.
There was Deacon Hungerford. but he
was past fifty and had three children,
ana he had ouce asked her to look the
other way while he drove hog past
her gate. There was joel Marsh. own
er Of the sawmill, but he had stiff
neck aud stlff knee and had been an
old bachelor SO long that he would
object TO gray patches on a
Lhek groundwork There was Squire
Cummings, whose wife had died three
years before. but he had a bossy way
about him and had always held his
wife down % oue-third of bar of soap
to was,eng.
The three men mentioned exhaust
Ell the list IS far rs Cynthia could
place them, but hope did not die out of
her heart. There was such thing us
Providence, and If Providence had
saved the two churches In the village
from Being struck by lightning for the
last fifteen years why couldn't and
shouldn't IL provide her with h1ls-
bandg
Not week bad gone by after she
had made Up her mind, and she had
not yet decided whether she wanted
man with milk white eyes or red hair
when there came a timid knock on the
front door. The hour was O'Clock in
the afternoon, and Cynthia was just
finishing the last of the carpet rags.
She opened the door to find a short,
tiinid looking, roliy poly man on the
STEPS and to be told that he was can
wasting for subscribers for Il new mag
azine.
Cynthia's first idea OF him was that
be was too short to reach up to the
ceiling with whitewash brush and
too timId to accompany her to prayer
meeting without lantern, but she re-
membered that sc was depending up
on Providence ami that Providence had
probably sent along the best 1t had In
the shop that day. She therefore sim
pered little and glssled little and
invited Mr.. Totten in.
Mr.. Totten evinced desire to retreat
instead, but probably reflected that 1t
was as dangerous to run as to enter.
At any rate, he took a seat in the par
lor and began to talk up his magazine.
cynthia replied yes" and mo- half "A
dozen times, and then lost all interest
In literary matters and gave Mr.. Tot
ten a sizing up. He wasn't bad TO look
at, and she wouldn't be ashamed OF
him at donation parties and camp meet
ings. He didn't look to be man of
opinions, and he therefore would sub
nit 10 being bossed. He had weak,
piping voice, but that was also all
right. In ease OF any family dispute
the neighbors couldn't hear his side Of
the case. At the end of quarter of
an hour the splnster had made up her
mind about things, and she said:
mfr. Totten, are you aware of the
fact that this Is leap year,
Bless me, but I'd forgotten It," he
replied. with start that betrayed
guilt.
at is leap year. Mr.. Totten, and may
| ask il you recall that leap year car
rles with 1t n privilege for my sex?'
Gracious, but so 1t does-so 1t does!'
Il do not know that this privilege is
generally taken advantage Of, but yet
/ cannot see why not. If have fallen
in love with you. Mr. Totem
Don't. Oh. don't"
IF | have fallen In love with you
and desire to ask for your heart and
hand, why should it not be perfectly
proper for me to do SOP
Yes, but-but"- he stammered as
he wiggled around on his chair and
blushed like a schoolgirl.
MIR. Totem" continued Cynthia as
she laid her hand on her heart, Il fell
in love with you the minute | opened
the door. Providence sent you here.
Providence has planned to unite US"
oh, gracious met
And | therefore ask you. Mr.. Tot
ten-I therefore take advantage of the
special privilege accorded my sex once
In four years-four long and dreary
years-to ask you If you will be mine"
Dear me! Dear me"' gasped Mr..
Totten as he rubbed the palms Of his
hands together and bobbed about.
at may seem to you a little sudden,
Mr.. Totten-indeed, it Is little sudden
but who can withstand the voice OF
love? Say that you will be mine and
make me happy. am not rich, and L
am not worthy of you, but | will do my
best to make you happy"
'I-I-couldn't do it!' announced Mr..
Totten, as he arose and looked for his
hat.
rs it possible that you are mar
ried man and have come here to toy
with my maidenly heart? If so, sir
mo. no, no! It's just that don't
DON'T
"Totten, are you engaged to anoth-
err"
mo, nor
'sThen you sit right down and stay