Year: 1864

| the eccentric, the abrupt, the business
like, the silly, and hundred other styles.
Of the eccentric, we could cite the case Of
well-known merchant, who one day
dining at friends house, sat next to a
lady who possessed rare charms of con-
versation. The merchant did not possess
this faculty in a very rare degree, but he
| could do that which is next best, he could
appreciate, an appreciation which he en-
deavored to show by the following mode
of action: "Do you like toast, Miss b"
"Yes," responded the lady, slightly sur
prised at the question. "Buttered toast"
"Yes." THAT is strange; so do l. Let
US get married." There cannot be much
doubt but that the lady was taken slightly
aback, a fact that did not prevent the mar


rage from coming off in month after
wards, nor the accession of the lady to
| one of the finest establishments in the city.
As specimen of the abrupt, we shall
cite the case of gentleman who had retir-
ed from business at the age of forty, and
built him beautiful house, determined
to enjoy life to the utmost. One day a
friend was dining with him, and said, half
jokingly: "You have everything here that
the heart can DESIRE but wife" That's
true. must think of it," said he; and
then relapsed into silence for few minutes,
| at the end of which time he rose, begged
to be excused for short time, and left
the room. He seized his hat and went
instantly to neighbors and was shown
into the parlor with the information that
neither the master nor mistress were at
home. He told the servant that he want
ed neither, and requested that the house
keeper be sent to him. She came, and
the gentleman thus addressed her: "Sarah,
I have known you for many years, and
have just been told that I want wife.
You are the only woman know, that l
should be willing to intrust my happiness
with, and if you agree, we will be instant
ly married. What Is your answer /"


Sarah knew the man that addressed her,
and knew that his offer was serious, and
as well-weighed as though considered for
year, and she answered him in the same


spirit. II agree" "Wll you be ready
in an hour :" ~ will" 81 shall return
for you at that time" Which he did, the
gentleman who had suggested the idea
accompanying him to the clergyman's.
Many years have passed since then, and
neither party has seen any cause to regret
the abrupt proposal and acceptance.


Of the business style, We can cite case
related to us, which we know for true
one. A young man who had succeeded
to the ill-kept, and badly cultivated,
though really valuable farm of deceased
uncle, saw at glance that two things
were absolutely necessary to enable him to
succeed; the first being wife to take
charge of the woman's department, and
the second few thousand dollars to stock
it with. He could not help thinking to
himself that possibly these two great aids
to his happiness and prosperity might be
found together, and yet without attempt
ing to put his matrimonial and financial
ideas into practice, he allowed them to
haunt him continually. With this upon
his mind, our farmer started upon horse
| back journey to distant part of the coun-
try, and upon his return made an acquint-
ance upon the road, in the person of an
old gentleman who wasjogging the same
way. The companions dined together at
a wayside inn, and fraternized pleasantly,
during which the young man opened his
heart to the elder, telling him all his plans
and aspirations, when the old gentleman
addressed the younger: II rather like
you, my friend, and your honest way Of
telling your story, and if you will come
and see me, shall be glad. l have three
daughters, all as good girls as ever lived.
Now, perhaps one may be the very one
you are looking for; and if so, l will do
my best toward making the balance of the
matter agreeable. Ride over and see me
tomorrow, take dinner, and stay in the
afternoon, which will give you a fair
chance to see them and judge" The
young man instantly agreed to the propo-
sition, making only one condition, that
the young ladies should not be informed
of the nature OF his GRAND. This was
agreed to, and they separated. The next
day, at the time appointed, the young
man dismounted at the door of the house
of his new-made friend, and was heartily
welcomed. The hour before dinner was
consumed in looking over the farm, the
young man in admiring its keeping, and
the old one in approving of the sensible
and practical remarks of the younger.


when the meal was announced, and the
three young ladies and their mother were
introduced. They were all, as the old
gentleman had said, fine girls, but the
Younger, checked, blue-eyed, and
laughing-faced, charmed the young farmer
especially. The dinner over, they once
more walked out for chat. "Well, how
do you like my daughters J" was the old
gentleman's first question. "They are all
nice girls, very nice" said the young man
thoughtfully. "And which of them do
you like best :" was the question. "The
voungest-Kate! She is charming, and
if am to be your son-in-law, you must
give me Kate ~ This will never do, to
take the youngest and by all odds the
prettiest, said the old gentleman seriously.
II must have her or none," was the res
ponse, spoken decidedly. "How much
money did you say you wanted ;" "Five
thousand dollars will put my farm in ex-
cellent order, and make it worth twenty
thousand dollars tomorrow. I must
have five thousand dollars" "Ill give
you the sum with either of the other
girls" said the old man, positively; "but
l will give you three thousand with Kate"
Then 1 may as well 60 home. Five
thousand I must have-I have set my
mind upon it." "And l have just as
strongly determined to do only what l
have said" was the old gentleman reply ;
$50 l suppose the matter is at an end.
However, we will be good friends. and
you must sometimes run over and see
me-" This ended the conference and they
parted. The young man mounted his
horse, and rode down toward the road
but Just as he was about opening the gate,
stopping from his saddle, the laughing
faced Kate sprang through the shubbery
to save him the trouble. "Can't you ac-
ccpt my fathers terms:" Eyes, by George
1 will, ifyou say so." was the instanta-
neous response. "Then come over to-
morrow morning before ten o'clock and
tell him so :" and the girl vanished like a