The Port Gibson reveille., 1907-03-14

her own executiOner, and-to mix met
aphors-lands her fish without assist
ance from any one.
Such was the damsel who, having
been assiduously wooed for some
years by one who gave her no oppor-
tunity OF granting the boon he seemed
to covet, left his side one day when
they were out walking together, and
incontnently dived into a furniture
shop. Naturally. the young man in
qlired the object of her visit.
"Oh, / just ran in to choose tho
dining room curtains" she replied,
sweetly.
ITO choose the curtalns!" he
echoed. turning pale as he spoke. DO
you mean that-that you are going to
be married?"
She nodded and smiled.
"But-but you cannot mean it," he
calculated.
"Oh, yes"
Then fell a long silence.
May I ask" stammered the young
man, when the happy event is to
take placer"
4 am not quite sure-the day isn't
fixed"
Another long pause.
You will tell me when you choose
the day." he ventured.
why, OF course" with a mild sIr-
prise. DO you think the 29th Of
next month would suit you. George?"
A food Of light poured into the
young mans mind; and the silence
deepened. But II was the 29th of
next month all the same.
Another variety OF marriage pro-
posals is the indirect. In these the
prospective bridegroom, for some un-
discovered reason timid in the pres
ence Of his fair one, has recourse to
some ingenious hint or innuendo to
make his meaning apparent. Perhaps
the quaintest Of all such expedients
hitherto recorded was that Of the
Scotch lover who, in the course of
a Sunday afternoons ramble, led his
divinity into the churchyard. Pausing
for a minute or two before a space
rallied in with handsome iron railings
and adorned with numerous head
stones, he drew the attention Of his
companion to the quiet beauty of the
scene and the extensive prospect
which Nature had provided for the oc-
cupants Of the cemetery, had they
been capable of enjoying It, Turning
his gaze upon a large marble cross,
and reading with illconcealed relish
the inscriptions underneath, he OBJ
served that the surname Of the de-
ceased was the same as his own.
"A oor folk lie here, JEAN" he
whispered to his blushing companion.
would you like to lie here, toO?"
The answer was not recorded, but
It is believed that the damsel recog-
nized that her too realistic lover had
the root Of the matter in him and
consented to overlook the grim and
grizzly manner in his wOoing.
Again, there have been proposals
which were, on the part Of the per-
son chiefly concerned, wholly unin-
tentional Valuable as a warming is
the tale of the young man, who took
a sea voyage for the benefit Of his
health, and in the course Of the voy-
age met his fate in an unprecedented
manner.
Among the lady passengers was a
gfrl named Ethel, whom he knew,
bat did not particularly revere. He
was aware that she was an egregious
little firt, and had no mind to be
caught in her snares. But she was
pretty and agreeable and he found it
impossible TO abiure, from motives OF
prudence. deck promenades on a gold
en- afternoon or the delight Of shar-
ing with her a secluded corner on
a moonlight night. He was drifting
into danger, and he knew It, yet he did
not know how he might guard against
the obvious conclusion Of his philan-
derings.
AS a last desperate resource he hit
upon the unworthy device Of pre-
tending that ne was consumed by a
passion for a fair unknown. Yes"
said this unprincipled young man, as
they sat up together one afternoon.
behind a decl1house. yes, I have loved
her for years, though she does not
know II. Her image IS always with
me-always She is the inspiration,
the lodestar Of my life"
"Oh. how very. very interestingl"
was the eager response. Il should so
like to see her photograph You have
a photograph Of her. I am sure. Don't
deny It"
1t was easier to own the soft i'm
peachment than 10 dispnove 1t, and
the fair one whispered, You will let
me see It. won't you? Dol" Then.
seeing that he hesitated Che had no
photograph to show. she added. 7
thought you would have granted me
Just that one little favori" He could
only exclaim. eT1l fetch It at oncei"
and rush below.
will you lend me your album for
a moment, Mrs. Fortescue7" he asked
. msadle aged LADY, 3 friend Of