Year: 1860

heart for the sincere, horsewhip for the i'm
pertinent. In either case, all applications will
be promptly attended to, if addressed to P. P,
to the office of this paper


felt proud of my composition, and pufed
away at my principe with a vague glee and an
ticipation Of something coming out of it,
had no great idea that anything but fun would
result and | certainly had not the slightest no.
tion of involving myself in a personal collision
with any one. Still the presentiment that it
was not destined to be all a barren joke, pressed
upon Inc. On Saturday the advertisement APP
peared, and l heard its style canvassed by all
my friends, and it was jokingly suggested by
more than one, that was the domestically des-
titute individual who put it FORTH


On Monday morning sent boy to the news.
paper Office for P. P.'s letters expected he
might be followed by some curious and inquisi-
tive persons ; so told him on his way back to
call on bachelor neighbor's of mine for book.
The trick told. The lad was followed by some
persons who never lost sight of him until 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
raj seeking to elicit my name, and still more
suggesting places of meeting, where was TO ex-
hibit myself with a flower in my button-hole
and white handkerchief in my hand One
only looked like business. 1t was from lady
who proposed an interview in neighboring city,
about forty miles north. She said there was
something so frank and straightforward in my
advertisement, that she was convinced it was
real, and she could rely on my keeping her
name a secret, if after we met nothing came
out of the meeting. She would therefore see
me at the --, at, on certain day,
and if mutsaf 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 mpelled me to accept
and keep the engagement


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 jour
neys end before you have looked round your
company in a railway carriage. There were
but two inside-myself and a pleasant talka-
tive, honest-faced elderly gentleman. Shy and
timid in female society, l was yet esteemed an
imated and agreeable amongst my own sex
We had no throuble therefore in making our
selves agreeable to one another 50 much SO,
that as the coach approached c., and the
old gentleman learned that l meant to stop
there that night, he asked me to waive cereme-
mony and have cup of tea with him after
had dined at my hotel My " fair engage
ment - was not till next day, and, as liked
the old gentleman accepted his offer.


After my pint of sherry, brushed my hair
and went in search of my coach companion and
my promised cup of Tea. had do difficulty in
finding him out, for he was man of substance
and some Importance in the place. l was
shown into the drawing-room. My old friend
received me heartily, and introduced me to his
wife and five daughters. " All spinsters, sir -
sai,l he " young ladies whom an undiscrimin-
ating world seems disposed to leave upon my
hands"


If we do not sell, papa" said the eldest,
who with her sisters seem to reflect her father s
fun, " it is not for want of putting, for all your
introductions are advertisements


At the mention of the last word, felt lit
tle discomposed, and almost regretted my en-
gagement for the next day, when that night,
perhaps, my providential opportunity had ar
rived.


need not trouble my readers with all our
sayings and doings during tea suffice it to say
that found them very pleasant, friendly
family and was surprised to find forgot all
my shyness and timidty, encouraged by their
good-tempered ease and conversation. They
did not inquire whether was married or single
for where there were five young unmated
daughters, the question might seem invidious.
/, however, in the freedom of the moment, vol
unteered the information of my bachelorhood :
} | thought had no sooner communicated the
/ fact that the girls passed round glance Of
arch intelligence from one to another. Icannot


tell you how odd | felt at the moment. NV
sensation was between pleasure and confusion
as a suspicion crossed my mind, and helped
s felt, to color my cheek. Presently, however,
: the eldest, with an assumed Indifference which