Year: 1860

hHqu'sitlFc pSfsOnS; so i LOlQ MIN on nus way
back to call on bachelor neighbors of mine
for book. The trick told. The lad was
followed by some persons who never lost sight
OF him uhtil they run him to my friends and
then they went back and announced that he
was the advertiser. thus discharged in full
one or two practical jokes which my neighbor
had played upon me. The answers were Of
the usual character-several seeking to elicit
my. name, and still more suggesting places Of
meeting, where was to exhibit myself with
flower in my button hole and white hand
kerchief in my hand. One only looked like
business. 1t was from lad, who proposed
ar interview in Be:ghboring city, about forty
miles north. She said there was something
80 frank and straightforward in my advertise
ment, that she was convinced it was real, and
she could rely on my keeping her name Sc
cret, if after We met nothing came out of the
meeting, She would therefore see me at the
-, at --. on certain day, and if mutual
appreciation did not follow the interview, why
there was no harm done. ......


Most people would have put down this as
trap to give me a journey for nothing. did
not. A presentiment inpeled me to accept
and keep the engagement. u


This was in the old coaching DAYS, when a
man had time to make an acquaintance in
forty miles, not as now. when you are at your
Journeys end before you have looked rourd
your company in railway carriage. There
were but two insIde-myself and pleasant
taikaiive, honest faced elderly gentleman
Shy and tlmid in female society, / was vet es
teemed animated and agreeable enough
amongst my own sex. We had no trouble,
therefore, iu making ourselves agreeable to
| one another; SO much so, that as the coach
approached G., and the old gentleman
learned that meant to stop there that night
he asked me to waive ceremony and have q
cup of tea with him after / had dined at my
hotel. Ny fair engagement was not till next
day, and as liked the old gentleman, ac-
cepted bis offer.


After my pint of sherry. brushed my hair
and went in search of my coach companion
and my promised cup of tea. had no diff
Guilty in finding him out, for he was man OF
substance and some Importance in the place
was shown into the drawing room Ny old
friend received me heartily, and intro uced me
to his wife and Eve daughters. All spiusters
sir, said he, young ladies whom On undis-
eliminating world seems disposed to leave up
on my hands, a-f 3, l9.


If we don't sell, papa said the eldest, who
with her sisters seemed to reflect her fathers
fun, it is not for want of putting, for all your
iutroductions are advertisements


At the mention of the last word, felt a
little discomposed, and almost regretted my
engagement for the next day, when that very
night. perhaps, my providential opportunity
had arrived H


Ineed not trouble my readers with all on,
sayings and doings during tea; suffice it tc
say that found them very pleasant, friend
ly family, and was surprised to find 1 forgot
all my shyness and timidity. encouraged by
their good tempered ease and conversation. -
They did not inquire whether I was married
|
or single, for where there were FIVE young IN
mated daughters. the question might seem in
vidious. l. however, in the freedom of the
moment, volunteered the information of nv
bachelorhood thought 1 had no sooner
communicated the fact than the girls passed
round glance of arch intelligence from one
to the other. cannot tell you how odd ]
felt at that moment. My sensation was be
tween pleasure and confusion, as suspicion
crossed my mind, and helped, felt, to colol
my cheek. Presently, however, the eldest
with an assumed Indifference which cost hel
an effort asked where was staying.


| sAt the - hotel answered, with some
embarrassment.


1t was with difficulty they restrained laugh
They bit their lips, and had no longer any
suspicion-I was certain. So, after having
some music, when rose to depart mustered
courage, as bid them good bye, to say to the
eldest:


Shall P. P. consider this the interview
! A blush of conscious guilt, should rather
say innocence, told me had sent my random
arrow to the right quarter; so I pressed the
matter no further at that moment, but die
her hand.


remained in at my hotel next day, until an
hour after the appointed time, but no one
made her appearance. 'Then,' thought I
brushing my hair and adjusting my cravat
since the mountain will not come to Mahom
ct, Mahomet must go to the mountain so
walked across to my old friends. The young
ladies we're all ia. The eldest was engaged
with some embroidery at the window haG
therefore an opportunity as leant over the
frame, to whisper:


IS. s. is not punctual' ~


The crimson in her face and neck was nov
SO deep that a skeptic himself would no Ion
ger doubt. I need say no more that even
ing in her fathers garden, she confessed tha
she and her sisters had conspired to bring m,
up to c. on fools errand never mean
ling Of course. to keep the engagement.


'Then,' said ]. since you designed to sak,
me in. you must consent to make me happy.


And what did she say, papa p asks m,
second daughter, who is now looking over m,
shoulder as write.


Why. You little goose, she promised to b,
your mamma, and she has kept her word.'
4 THE TEST OF LOVE.