The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1824-07-31
A PINCH OF SNUFF.


Tor short time at hotel in that city she dned
at the table de hote and generally spent part OF the
evening in the public room. This youthful widow,
whose name was Dorval, was precisely that sort of
person whom the men all adore, and the women
abuse the former declared she the lovellest,
the most bewitchng of creatures, the latter vowed
she had not the smallest claim to beauty. Whatev-
cr were her claims, however, one thing is certain,
the coolest hearts found her irresistible Hershght
but finely rounded form, though too petite tor Dig
nifty, was model of grace her features could not
boast the cold regularity which, IN the critics eye,
constitutes beauty; but the brilliancy of her com
pexion, the varied expression of her speaking eyes,
rendered her dangerous object to man OF sens-
bility She had been only few days at the hote.
when English gentleman CHANGED to dine at the
public table he struck at the hrst glance with
her charms, and being we'll acquainted with foreign
manners, he thought he ght address himself ra-
ther freely to lady whom he found at table de
tote he complimented her; she replied with spirit
but with becoming reserve. The Enghshman,
whom we shall cali Millborne, became every mo-
ment more fascinated, puzzled, however, by the
apparent inconsistency in her situation and manners
he asked if she would accompany him to the thea
ire she refused in tone which Showed plainly
that she considered the proposal as an insult very
WE'LL cried Mlllborne, pulling out an elegant snuff,
box, then you shall take pinch OF snuff II
never take snuff sir, cried the widow, turning up
her pretty little with air OF neflabe dlsdain
SO much the worse, TlaQaTl you lOoC oHC vi lHS
greatest pleasures in life have tired all sorts OF
enjoyments one thing fatigued, another disguised
me this pleasure brought repentance, and that
safety. At last determined to look out tor some
thing of which should not tire 1t suddenly struck
me, that in my fits OF veXaton and ennUt, hao
found occasional relief from pinch of snuff; so |
became snuff taker five years ago, and from that
time to the present have enoui. Come, madam,
let me advise you to try my remedy tor this dlstem-
per, with which we are all visited more or less
{ have no occasion for it, sir replied the lady
coldlv am not troubled with enaul and II were,
should think there are rational means OF dis
pelling it
Name them, if you please.
Reading. reflection, the Offices of benevoience,
The pleasures of society
All madam, have tried all that; reading set
me to sleep reflection made my headache benev'
Qlence own is pretty we'll, but one cannot occupy
ones self in that way from morning till night as 10
She pleasures of society, have been cheated by one
half of my acquaintance and laughed at by the
other am therefore not very favoraby disposed
to mankind SO you see, madam, have nothing
left for it but to amuse myself in this way and
opening his snuff box, he took pinch and present
ed It to her.
Thoroughly provoked at what she considered
objectionable rudeness, she rose to leave the room
Nay, madam cried Nl,liborne, starting up, you
must not go In anger 81 am not angry, SIT, CRED
the lady, then trying to disengage her hand which
he had taken hold of. You forgive me, then -
YES, replied she, but not in the most placid tone
in the world. very well then to prove that you
don't bear malice, take pinch of snuff
At these words the widows patience and temper