HOW I WAS WOOED BUT NOT WED.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 227, 12 March 1866, Page 3

HOW I WAS WOOED BUT NOT WED.

{From Once a Week.) At the period of my life about which I am going to write, I was not young, neither was I very old. In years, 1 I certainly was not aged, but been thrown upon myself at a very early period, I had harnt to feel older lhan i really was. However, a lady's age is not, at best, a pleasing theme, at all events to herself ; suffice it to say that I was fast approachin g what is termed a "certain age;" so that in regard to matrimony it was no longer a question of "whom I would tike," or even, " whom 1 could get : " I bad arrived at the last and leas b agreeable stage, viz., " who would take mcV" 1 had a comfortable business in the stationery line, in a quiet little street in the suburbs of the town of E in Scotland. My business was not extensive, but hitherto I had always managed to make ends meet, and live comfortably, though frugally. My father had been in the business before me, but apoplexy carried him off very suddenly one day, and my mother having died when I was a child, I was left alone in the world, saving the companionship of my good old servant, Peggy. 1 n*tu ueen Drought up an Episcopalian, Peggy was a rigid Presbyterian, and I may say with truth that tnis was the only point on which we differed. Peggy hardly believed in the possibility of salvation beyond the pale of her own Church, and so, being really fond of me, it was not unnatural that she should take a deep interest in my spiritual welfare. But I must; not linger over these details. After my father's death I had taken a seat in the organ-gallery of a small Episcopal chapel, The organist, an old acquautttaoe* of my father's, was quite an elierly man ; an original-looking being enough. His name was Adam tjibson, he had been a writing-master, had a good ear for music, and was clever in mechanics, but with all, there was a strong taint ot eccentricity about him. He was a short, wiry-looking man, his face deeply wrinkled, and his eyes, wnich were naturally small, looked soill smaller from a constant habit of of rapid winking. His hair was white, even at the period i now write of; his figure was peculiar too, the body being long, and the legs **ther Bhorfc. When he was animated or excited he would rock himself in a most remarkable manner on his heels. Young ladies will, no doubt, be disposed to look upon Adam Gibson as but a sorry hero of romance. In myself, I suppose, the romantic had worn itself out, although I remember the time when grace of figure, curling locks, and soft blue eyes, had a charm lor poor me, and when the embodiment of these cost me many a sleepless night and aching heart ; howe/er, that was in the days when 1 had to c insider "whom I would take." Now that I was an old maid, an unprotected female, wnat right had I to expect much ? Adam was attentive in his way. He jerked out little sentences intended to convey the existence of stronger feelings than those of friendship on his part towaxus me. He used to wit in my little back parlour, enjoying a cup of tea and butter-toast, wnile Peggy looked after the shop; and there it was on one occasion that he jerked out the expression of his unalterable love, and made a formal offer of his hand, which I accepted. Now Peggy did not love Adam, sac said he was "' crankety," " camstery," and many other things that were not nattering, and thought I was foolishly throwing myself away in accepting him as my suitor. But Cupid had kindly fixed the bandage over mj eyes, and 1 ff&s effectually blinded for the time.

faithful creature, but outspoken, as is not unusual with Scotch servants, when taken into confidence. I had been invited to a little "tea-party at Miss Tightfit's, the dress-maker, in our street. Adam Gibson was of course to be amongst the guests. I flattered myself, as I put the last stroke to my adornment, that I was a very im-posing-looking personage. • I had always preserved a fresh complexion, although I never flattered myself I was good-looking; but my father had been particular about small points, such as neat, smooth hair, cleanliness, and tidy dress. But, to return to this memorable occasion, I was arrayed in a black satin dress which had belonged to my mother, and on my head there was an exuberant, development of stiff lace and white ribbons, in accordance with the fashion of the day. Peggy having, as she termed it, hook my back, (meaning my dress,) I asked her with no small complacency what she thought of me. " Heeh, sirs ! Miss Marthy, but ye're jist like a hairse." " Like a hearse, Peggy !" I cried, "how dreadful!" "Na, na, bairn, it's no that ye're that awfu' looking, but ye're gran', gran', jist like a hairse." Well, it was not flattering, but there was no help for it. I had no time to remove the funereal-looking garments, and moreover if I had nothing to substitute for them, so I sallied forth to Miss Tightfit's. Here I found Adam Gribson, ready to play the devoted admirer as far as he was capable. He had rocked himself for a time on his heels, and now he was seated in a corner, with a blue and white spotted handkerchief hanging over his left knee, engaged in his favourite pastime of cracking his fingers ; crack, crack, went the muscles, as he jerked and twitched his knotty, knobby digits. His hands were dry and shrivelled, and every joint was a knob, no doubt owing to the constant cracking. Presently we all drew round Miss Tightfit's hospitable board. Adam Gribson was seated opposite to me; most of the company being aware of the state of things between us. " Adam sipped tea, and ate muffins, &c, and when he had concluded, turned his cup upside down on his saucer, laying the spoon on the top of the cup. I was surprised to see this performance in company, although I was used to it in private. Presently Miss Tightfit begged Adam to take another cup of tea, but was met by a steady refusal with thanks; however, in her hospitality she again pressed him to partake of another cup, whereupon Adam turned round, saying sternly, — " Madam, I said no, and when I say no, I mean no; no ma'am, no ma'am, no ma'am ! " — the last accompanied with an emphatic application of his fist to the table. Poor little Miss Tightfit was effectually silenced. I knew the old man meant no harm, and told her afterwards that it was only his way ; and nothing aggravated him more than being pressed. Cards soon appeared, and the rest of the evening passed pleasantly by. As Adam escorted me home, it was settled that our wedding should take place after the new year. On Christmas-day 1 went up to Adam's house, a strange, quaint old place down a dark close, up a still darker stair in the High Street. The rooms, however, were cheerful enough, when you once reached them, although the access was certainly not pleasant. They contained all kinds of queer things : there was an organ, an old-fashioned spinnet, several, clocks of different patterns, all going, old china, shells, tools, barometers, thermometers, a squirrel, and a canary bird. Mr. Gribson revered all these his possessions, but the squirrel and canary were past all price in his estimation, and looked upon almost as sacred. The canary was tame, and flew about the room, singing away right merrily. The little children of a very kind old friend of Adam's arrived to pay him their yearly visit. They came in, all bright and rosy, ready for enjoyment. It was to be my duty .to see that the little fingers were not too busy among the valuable relics. Adam disappeared within a large pre.<s opening in the wa.ll, and presently there issued sounds of glasses jingling. There was evidently a polishing process going on behind the scenes. One of the small boys, prompted by curie sity, wikhedly peeped in to discover the nature of Adam's occupation, and speedily rushed outj and couiuiuuicated the resuJt of his observations to his sister, which was received with many wry faces, it consisted of an allusion to the means used for polishing the glasses, for little Uharlie imitated an operation of Dreathing upon his hand and Lhen rubbing it with his pocket handkerchief. Adam shortly appeared with a tray covered with glasses and decanters, and again with another confining shortbread and bun, the Scotch Christinas cakes. The children soon forgot the polishing process, and freely partook of the good things. After which Adam exhioited several of his treasures. He played the organ, also the old spinnet, and realty he did not play badly, the only drawback to it was the jerky, twitchy way lie had about him, and which characterised even his playing. The squirrel next made his appearance, and went through a performance ; a clock was shown, which Adam assured his young friends went so well that '"' the sun might go wrong, but not his clock." No one disputed this statement, and at length the young people departed, and were driven home in their father's carriage. Adam had put little canary-bird back in its cage, and left me to take myself home as best I. could, pleading as excuse that the hour for his church music had arrived. Punctuality was strongly developed in Adam, and of course this was rather a virtue than otherwise, although I must say I felt, considering our mutual position, and that I had come solely for his convenience, he might a^ least have escorted me safely down, the daric stairs and close.' But this did not occur to Adam. I remained to put on my bonnet, and shawl, and what possessed me at the moment I cannot say, for I neyer was given, p py^ea! jok^ mi by

no means fond of mischief. No doubt it was a latent feeling of resentment for what I deemed a slight, that prompted me to remove the innocent canary from his cage, and carry him home in my handkerchief. Arrived at home, an old bird-cage was speedily pressed into the service, little bird installed, and safely hid away in Peggy's room. I must say I began to feel some remorse on noticing the extreme enjoyment my mischievous joke afforded Peggy. I took my usual place after tea behind the counter, and attended to customers till the hour for closing arrived. Our little errand-boy put up the shutters, and was retiring with his bit of bread-and-cheese, with which Peggy rewarded him when he was what she termed a "gude bairn." Suddenly Mr. Gibson entered the shop, looking pale and haggard, and in a state of wild excitement , I at once guessed the truth, but said not a word. Adam sank upon a chair, and exclaimed, — • " O Martha, my canary is gone ! the little bird I have reared and loved, fed and cared for, taught to sing, and made the companion of my life, is gone and where I cannot tell!" It was truly piteous to see the old man's grief. There really seemed to be a glimmering of sentiment in this love for his birdie. I was dumb, and felfc my position acutely. Peggy suddenly came to the rescue, exclaiming, — " Hoot, man ye're na gaun to break yer heart for a bit birdie ; peety me, ane wad think, to see ye, ye had lost Miss Marthy. The contemplation of this contingency did not seem to move him much. I ventured to hint that birdie might come back again, that he had dropped asleep in some quiet corner ; but Adam was certain that could not be. "My bird is gone, my little pet birdie," and he wept like a child. Peggy, losing all patience with him, neither sympathised nor pitied him. My position was becomiug momentarily more painful ; unable to bear the sight of the poor old man's grief, I made my escape, and returned with birdie sale and in my cage. I had expected that Adam's delight at the restoration of his darling would completely remove all anger for my share in the cause of his anxiety, but I was mistaken. He deliberately placed the cage on the counter and opened the door. Birdie hopped on his finger, and he deposited it safely in his blue and wliite spotted pocket-handkerchief, he then took up his hat, and turning to me, said, " Madam, you have shown yourself unworthy to be Adam Gibson's wife. You have played a heartless trick, and if you can do this much before marriage, what would you not be capable of after ? We never meet again, madam, but mum's the word with me, ma'am, mum's the word with me. If the world hears of our rupture, it will be through yourself, not from me." He put his hat on his head, and I saw the last of Adam Gibson. Peggy laughed outright, and I was ready to cry, not so much from vexation at the loss of a husband, but that I was conscious I had not acted well. Indeed, on after reflection, I was not really sorry that our engagement was broken off. Mr. Gibson's eccentricities - proved far more numerous and trying to others than 1 had at first imagined, and I had also discovered that he was so stingy as barely to allow himself the necessaries of life. Thus ended my wooing. I am a spinster still, and shall probably die one. Peggy and 1 jog on together as usual, now and then laughing over the little episode of wooing.