Year: 1866

"As was about to say, she is young
lady-or, young angel, If you will
of the name of Jinkinson."


"By st. Georgel 8 most unromaatic
name for SO romantic looking divini-
tyl However, there is nothing under
the circumstances worth mentioning in
name. And now, geographically and
financially speaking, in what enyiable
section Of this unreconstructed country
| does she reside, and what amount
would you name before an acting jus
tice of the peace, if necessary to do so,
as the present assessible value of her
personal and real estate?"
| had, of course, been informed as to
both the present and prospective value
of Miss inkinson's hand; for the Sc
cret of a1adys wealth, unlike the Sc
cret of lady's age, cannot be safely
warranted 10 keep long in any climate;
but was not fully convinced of the
accuracy of the information given me
by the boys in town, and was anxious
to have it confirmed by some such high
authority as Skeggs. Besides, was
sure that TO be seen in familiar CONVEX
sation with so distinguished q character
as the Hon. I. Jefferson Skeggs, would
be deuced good letter of credit in any
crowd.


II perceive, my dear Bricks" said
the Hon. T. j. s., in answer to my
question, "thst you are in pursuit of
knowledge under species of difficulty
which | am utterly unable to remove;
but do you observe that hearty old gen.
tleman sitting at the window oppo.
site 2


After taking a careful observation
IL the direction indicated, / did not
hesitate to declare that unless l was
deceived by very remarkable optical
illusion, l did observe the hearty old
gentleman sitting at the window oppo-
site


"Well," continued the Hon. Mr. s.,
l am told that he is resident of the
young ladys neighborhood, and | pre-
sumo he is the only person present who
is able to furnish you the information
you seek. From his very genial and
benevolent appearance, l am quite sure
he will cheerfully enlighten you to the
best of his ability"


With the hope that the movement
might lead to an introduction to Miss
Jinkinson, walked over, incidentally
as it were, to where the hearty old gen
tleman sat


A warm evening, Sir, remarked,
just as l would have addressed the
same observation to any ether stranger
in whose company l might have chanc-
ed to be thrown.


Well-yes-it is rather warm"
answered the hearty old gentleman,
with a look indicative of some lit
tie surprise at the extent of my meteo.
rological information.


Quite an array of what the newspa-
pers call Beauty and Chivalry with us
tonight, Sir | added.


"Yes, Sir,-Slite an array of that sort
Of thing certainly"


"the lady now dancing with young Fan
tadlihg seems not to be want
ing, to any perceptible extent in
that species of attraction. Will you
permit me to ask if you do not think
so 2"


L perceived at once that the hearty
old gentleman could appreciate female
beauty as fully as l could myself, and
would have sworn on the spot that he
was a widoWer in search of his third
wife. 1t was clear, from the twinkle
about the eye, and other manifesto
tiOns of pleasure, that had stumbled
upon one of his pet weaknesses. Fully
satisfied of this fact l felt encouraged
to proceed. Which l accordingly did.


Rather pretty Why, good heavens,
my dear sir She is absolutely too
beautiful for earth. She is gorgeously
beautiful And then, how queenly
Observe, sir, if you please, with what
unapproachable grace those delicate
fingers lift the Immaculate drspery
floating around her like storm-driven
cloud, TO delight our eager vision with
elysian glimpses of those dainty feet,
whose tread would scarcely crush the
petals of the lily"


The hearty old gentleman smiled
cheerfully, the twinkle of his eve
growing hYelier at every word at
tered, clearly indicating a full-bloWn
appreciation of my style of remark.


"And do me the kindness to observe
further, sir, the elegant fit of that fairy
slipper, which even the tabled Cinde-
rella could not have worn; and if it is
not leading your eye into forbidden
paths, sir, suffer me to invite your at
tention to that classically exquisite
ankle, which so charmingly courts the
gaze of admiring eyes.


The hearty old gentleman drew his
bandanna and blew his nose appreci-
atively At the same time a hand
somely dressed gentleman sitting near
was suddenly seized with severe fit Of
coughing, and thrusting his pocket
handkerchief into his mouth as the
nearest approach to q specific then at
hand, hastily left the room.


"Ah, sir, you behold nothing of the
false calf there All is perfectly genu-
ine-e real. bona tide masterpiece of
Natures handiwork-a natural blend
ing of poetic and geometrical grace, TO
behold which would amply repay a voy-
age across the Atlantic


The hearty old gentleman smiled
more broadly than before. He had not
outgrown, plainly perceived, the ro-
nance of youth, and still had an eye
for well turned ankle.


'The exquisite creature, sir, were
perfect but for one thing, the very
familiar manner in which she permits
the arm of that insufferable young
puppy, Fantadling, to clasp her beauti-
full waist But for that, sir, / should be
tempted to lay my heart st her feet.


indeed !" said the hearty old gen.
tlemen, suddenly growing serious
"see, the lady approaches; shall have
the pleasure of presenting your


81 shall be more than delighted"


"Allow me, Mr.. -, your name has
escaped me, but no matter; allow me
to present-nly daughter, the ,oife Of that
ins5lfera5le young puppy, Flrntadling r


OF what l said or did, or how | got
away from there, l haven't the least
idea in the world l only know that
some fifteen minutes afterward l found
myself leaning sgainsta pine tree some
three hundred yards from the hotel,
that walked about twenty miles up
the bay and crossed over in a skif in
time for a late breakfast, and that |
Gen. Smedes has my hat as the only re-
ward for his hospitality.-lNobiIe Adoer.
tiser.