A certain man notorious for his slowness paid attention for two years to a young lady, without coming to the point. The girl's father thought it time for him to interfere. On the swain's next visit,the father interviewed him:
"Clinton, you've been settin' up with Nellie, an' takin' her to picnics, an' to church an' buggy-ridin',an' nothin's come of it. So, now, Clinton, I ask you, as man to man, what be your intentions?"
And Clinton responded unabashed:
"Well, answerin' you as man to man, I'll say there hain't no cause for you to ruffle your shirt. My intentions is honorable—but remote."
