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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 33, 5 March 1879, Page 2

"When Dido found Eneas would not come, She mourned m silence, and was Di-do-dum." . :i It is a prevailing, but apparently 'erro--neous, opinion that lovely woman requires! considerable pressing before her captor can secure her m the hymeneal halter, and that it is only on the privileged occasion of Leap Year she becomes the suitor. Though such is the rule, like every other it has an. exception, and the following little episode, which occurred m a neighboring township, is one m point. A maiden, "fat, fair, and forty," who for a decade had m vain practised all her wiles to lure- her adorers to the "popping point," at length determined to make an example, of some one, and having enslaved a youth just twen^yione years her junior, she brought the lover "to his. knees ) a bashful acquiescence was given,-' a«d" the day fixed for the happy event. Fearing a mishap if the engagement were made pubßc, it was decided that the pair should "steal a few hours from night" and make a moonlight flitting, trusting to the course of events to consummate the nuptial tie. The force of superior will— and years — shone out conspicuously m the damsel, and everything was arranged for the clandestine departure for which the Lothario Was to provide a chariot and pair. Punctual to a moment a heavily -veiled female figure, carrying a J bundle (the prospective wedding trousseau) might have been seen standing 'neath the shadow of a large tree by the side of the highroad, while ever, and anon the silence would be broken by a gentle cough, the signal of readiness to the expected cavalier. Minutes passed into quarters, quarters to hours, untilr-rlike Sister. Anne on, the battlements — the lady became weary of watching, for, still the lover came not; an.d then, the' breast which/had. beenfallof love burned for revenge for ;the outrage; and while the journey put was full of sweet visions of the future, the return home was devoted to schemes of satisfaction and retribution upon the recreant. Next day an explanation , was received from young Spoons, who stated that he had not been able to leave his mamma without saying good-bye, and she bSidshown him the folly of the proceeding. Bursting with rage the deceived one sought solace from one of the " Devil's Brigade," only to find, that as Spoons was a minor, very little plaister could be obtained, from him as. a salve to wounded feelings and . slaughtered affections. Moral, fw elderly females of susceptible natures :.. Beware, how you lay siege to the affections of young gentlemen who have not cast themselves loose from the maternal apron-string. :