Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 8.djvu/342

314, envy, and all ungodliness, until I saw the picture of her cousin; then for fear I might miss a life-long happiness, by procrastination,—that thief of time, you know,—I started upon the next steamer, and here I am. I am not in despair; and, in fact, I am almost ready for congratulations. Go and see Winn and his lovely wife; and, if you do not become a candidate for matrimony, I am mistaken. Such a pair of turtle doves! Expect me—when you see me, not before. Yours fraternally,

The last sheet fluttered from my hand; and I sat in a happy trance, I know not how long.

A feeling of chilliness at last aroused me, and I looked dreamily around.

The blues were gone, bag and baggage; so was the fire. Snow was pattering against the pane, but it had a musical sound now. I looked anxiously around for my friend the fly: he had hummed himself to sleep upon the stovepipe, and was sleeping the sleep of the just; and day was gliding into the arms of night.

I arose, and lit my lamp; and, gathering up the scattered sheets, I tied them neatly together, and now, just as I received them, I tender them, dear readers, unto you, without any of my officious "tinkering."

Will you not agree with me that facts are Stranger than Fiction?