"When I was a lad," said a facetious gentleman to the recorder of the
anecdote, "I was, or rather fancied myself to be, desperately in love
with a very charming young lady. Dining at her parents' house one day, I
was unfortunately helped to the gizzard of a chicken, attached to one of
the wings. Aware, like most '_good boys_' that it was extremely
ungenteel to leave anything upon my plate, and being over anxious to act
with etiquette and circumspection in this interesting circle, I, as a
'good boy' wished strictly to conform myself to the rules of good
breeding. But the _gizzard_ of a fowl! Alas! it was impossible! how
unfortunate! I _abhorred_ it! No, I could not either for _love_ or money
have swallowed such a thing! So, after blushing, playing with the
annoyance, and casting many a side-long glance to see if I was observed,
I contrived at length to roll it from my plate into my _mouchoir_, which
I had placed on my knees purposely for its reception; the next minute
all was safely lodged in my pocket. Conversing with the object of my
affections, during the evening, in a state of nervous forgetfulness, I
drew forth my handkerchief, and in a superb flourish, out flew the
GIZZARD! Good heavens! my fair one stared, coloured, laughed; I was
petrified; away flew my ecstatic dreams; and out of the house I flung
myself without one '_au revoir_,' but with a consciousness of the truth
of that delectable ballad which proclaims, that 'Love _has_ EYES!!' I
thought no more of love in that quarter, believe me!" M.L.B.
* * * * *