Popping The Question
A gentleman had long been paying attention to a young lady whora he was very anxious to marry, but to whom he had never ventured to declare his passion. When opportunity ofEered, hia courage deserted him, and when he was resolved to speak, the fair one never could be found alone or disengaged. Driven to desperation, he one day sueceeded in accomplishing his purpose in a somewhat remarkable manner, at a dinner-party. To most people, a di'nnerparty would hardly seem the most ble occasion for overtures oí UÚ8 description, especially when, as in this instance, tlie lady is seated at the opposite side of the table from her admirer. The latter, however, was equal to the occasion. Tearing u leaf from his pocket-book, he wrote on it, under cover of the table: "Will yon be my wifeV Write Yes or Xo, at the foot of this." Calling a servant, he esked hiin in i whisper to take the slip - which, of course, was earef nlly folded and directed - to "the lady ia blue opposite." The servant did as requested, and the gentleman, in an agony of suspense, watched hira give it to the lady, and fixed his eyes, with badly disguised eagerness, to try and judge from her expression how the quaintly made offer was received. He had forgotten one thing - namely, that ladies seldora carry pencils about the at a dinner party. The beloved one was, however, not to be baftled by so trilling an obstacle. After reading the note calmly, she turned to the servant and said: "Teil the gentleman, Yen." They were married in due course. When Prof. Aytoun was wooing Miss Wilson, daughter of Prof. Wilson, the f amous "Christopher Norlh," he obtained the lady's consent conditionally on that of her father being secured. ïhis Aytoun was much too shy to ask, and he prevailed upón the young lady herself to conduct the necessary tions. "We must deal tenderly with his feelings," said glorious old Christopher, "111 write my reply on a slip of paper, and pin it to the back of your frock." "Papa's answer is on the back of my dress," said Miss Jane as she entered the drawing-room. Turning her round, the delighted Professor read these words: " With the author's compliments." In Lord Beaconsfield's last novel, an eccentric old nobleman pops the question in the following matter of fact language: "I wonder if anything would ever induce yon to marry me?" ïhis was evidently intended as a fresh illustration of Lord Montford's eccentrieity, but it is really mnch nearer the. terms in which the average man - poses, than is the average proposal of the novelist. The Americana, we know, carry everything to extremes, and we are told that the New York young men have reduced the formula of the critical proposifcion to a eouple of words - "Let's consolídate." Nothing, however, could be neater or more ingenious than tlie proposal of the Irishman, who thus addressed the rustic beauty upon whom he had set his affections: "Biddy, darlint, they've been tellin' me there's too many of us in the world. Now, if you an' me get the praste to make us two wan, troth an' wouldn't there be wan the less ?" Different customs prevail in different countries in this as in other matters. A curious ceremony, f or example, is asaociated with popping the question among the Samoyedes of Russia. When a young Samoyede desires to marry, and has come to an understanding with the damsel of his choice, he visita her father, and, with a short stick, taps him, and then the mother of the maiden, on the shoulder. He then demands the girl in marriage, and offers the father and mother a glass of vodka which he has brought with him. As a token of his good will, the father drinks the vodka; he tells the young man he haa no objection, but that he must ask the girl's consent. A few days later the young man comes again, this time' accompanied by what servante he has, and provided with plenty of vodka. Ilis retinue remain outside while he enters the room and seats himself by the side of his lady-love. The father hands the young man a glass of vodka; he drinks half, and hands the half-iull glass, under his left arm, to the girl, who flnishes the draught. The father then gives his daughter a glass of vodka, and she in iïke marmer drinks half of It, and presenta the remainder, with her left hand under her right arm to her lover, who drains the glass. AftertiL; the father hands a piece of raw maat tothe young man, who eats it, and then. takes a piece f rom the floor, eats half,, and presenta the other half undev his left arm, to the girl to finish. She in turn takes a piece of rneat from the floor, eats half, and hands the other half, imder her right arm, to the young; man to finish. This extraordinary ceremonial would appear to complete the transaction, and may be regarded as synonymous with our engagement. The feasting and other ritual necessary to ratify the contract generally take place soon or immediately af terward. " So you would not take me to be twenty?" saïd a yeung lady to hetpartner, while dancing the polka tme' evening. "What would you takt me for then?" 'Tor better, for worse.'" replied he, and he was accepted. Horc is another case in point. lliding home from the hounds af ter a certain í'amous county meet, a lady observed . to her companion : "Why should we not marry, Sir John?" "Ah!" said Sir John, -that is what I have of ten thought myself." And married they were. Certain lislies in the Berlín aquarium have been observed to remain in a given position for hours, and only to be disturbed by repeated blows ; henee the conjecture that thoy were a3leep. Miss Kansom, the Washington ar-tist, is engaged to paint for Mrs. Gav-field a portrait of her husband. Sluis also to make a portrait lor the ai'ruy of the Cumberland. Macaroni should be cut into short piecee, and eaten with an even, gracelul motion, not absorbed by the yard.
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Old News
Ann Arbor Democrat