 at the
instigation of Mrs. Grizzle, went to visit his future father-in-law, and was
introduced to the daughter, with whom he had, that same afternoon, an
opportunity of being alone. What passed in that interview, I never could learn,
though from the character of the suitor, the reader may justly conclude that she
was not much teized with the impertinence of his addresses. He was not, I
believe, the less welcome for that reason; certain it is, she made no objection
to his taciturnity, and when her father communicated his resolution, acquiesced
with the most pious resignation. But, Mrs. Grizzle, in order to give the lady a
more favourable idea of his intellects than what his conversation could possibly
inspire, was resolved to dictate a letter, which her brother should transcribe
and transmit to his mistress, as the produce of his own understanding; and had
actually composed a very tender billet for this purpose; yet her intention was
intirely frustrated by the misapprehension of the lover himself, who, in
consequence of his sister's repeated admonitions, anticipated her scheme, by
writing for himself, and dispatching the letter one afternoon, while Mrs.
Grizzle was visiting at the parson's.
    Neither was this step the effect of his vanity or precipitation; but having
been often assured by his sister, that it was absolutely necessary for him to
make a declaration of his love in writing, he took this opportunity of acting in
conformity to her advice, when his imagination was unengaged or undisturbed by
any other suggestion, without suspecting in the least, that she intended to save
him the trouble of exercising his own genius. Left, therefore, as he imagined,
to his own inventions, he sat down and produced the following morceau, which was
transmitted to miss Appleby, before his sister and counsellor had the least
intimation of the affair.
 
                              Miss Sally Appleby,
        Madam,
            Understanding you have a parcel of heart, warranted sound, to be
        disposed of, shall be willing to treat for said commodity, on reasonable
        terms; doubt not, shall agree for same; shall wait of you for further
        information, when and where you shall appoi nt. This the needful from
Yours, etc.
                                                                     GAM. PICKLE
 
This laconic epistle, simple and unadorned as it was, met with as cordial a
reception from the person to whom it was addressed, as if it had been couched in
the most elegant terms that delicacy of passion and cultivated genius could
supply: nay, I believe, was the more welcome, on account of its mercantile
plainness; because when an advantageous
