Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-03-05

stockings and shining pumps, 1t was
impossible to deny, that Dick, for that
evening at least, was an exquisite OF
the first water.
"Why what in the name of all that's
wonderful is the matter? Where are
you going" said l, aroused from my
stupor, by the singularity ofhis appear
ance, a smile of contemptI fear, play.
ed upon my countenance.
"Going! why with you to Mrs. ks
party"
Wrapped in my meditations, had
forgotten that the charming Mrs. k
had sent me note in pretty little
crowquill kind of a hand, importing
that she "would be very happy to have
the pleasure of Mr.. Oldstyle's company
to tea this evening"-and it was not
without feeling Of alarm, recollected
that the evening was far advanced, and
that l had neither despatched an apol-
ogy nor made arrangements for COM
plying with the invitation. l was on
the point of relapsing into the horrors
when my friend Dick obliged me to
make an effort, and save my credit with
the ladies. In short time was ready,
and we sat off together.
"Now comes the tug Of war" said
Dick,as he deposited his hat under ia
BILE in the hall. Keep an eye on your hat,
Oldstyle, yours is pretty good one,
and as the first rates are always dealt
out first, you will lose yours, il you
should be late in leaving the ladies'.
Come on-we must enter boldly-bow
to our fair hostess-chat with the la
dies-drink cup of coffee-and then
hop for the fiddle and the dance!"
In moment we were in the midst
of an assembly Of all the wealth and
beauty and fashion of the, city. Dick
bowed with negligee air to the la
tdies-advanced to Mrs. X, paid her
Ia complement, and paired off with a
young lady to snug corner Of the
room. But IL was confounded-a
,sort of giddiness oppressed me, and
dazzled my eyes-I could recognize nc
one though had many acquaintance
near me. bowed involuntarily, how
ever, to all around me, and trembling
with agitation, l approached Mrs. K
Smiling with satisfaction at the appar'
ent pleasure of every one, she kindly
welcomed me, and introducing me to
two young beauties who sat next to her
she glided out Of the room: Behold
me reader, in pittable situation! hae
not word to say-all my powers Of
conversation had deserted me in my ut
most need-and for the soul of me
did not know what to do. To retrea
would be disgraceful, to remain with
out speaking a word would be ridicu
Gus. In short would have given TIT
world to have been in the entry wher
my hat was, but to get off honorabl.
was impossible. l determined to sa.
something. Bowling to one OF the la
dies, -
"Pythagoras, madam" said L
holds that" "Sir!"-
81 was saying-Humph-lwas say
Observation-Disclosures thi
is a very pleasant party
every pleasant, sir"
"Every body seems to be gratihed.
Eyes, sir"
Anxious to continue the converse
ton, Numbered on" The compan
too is very agreeable. ITO this Their
. was no answer-and determined not t
hazard another remark, l bowed t
Miss Angelina Serephina Cherubin
Shorthand left her.-But where to g.
next, what to do with myself, was tn
next question. All! Edward Oldstyle
thought l, if you were once cleverl.
out Of this scrape, all the ladies in tn
world would not get you into such an
other. However, why should you carr
for the forward little chits, Whispered
Pride-Dash in amongst them-Hen
there was danger in that reeollect
ed the foolish situation had been pla
ced in a moment, before and a cols
shivering came over me, rs l though
of the possibility Of being placed in
such situation again. So l sneakee
into corner, and sat down, till tn
dancing would commence. Then Tho
ped the music would enliven me-an'
. | / could muster sufficient resolution t
get along creditably.
At last the dancing did commence
and every body seemed pleased;-bu
so was not IL sat still-and 1t wa
, impossible for me to doubt that ever
smile was intended for sneer at m
awkwardness and want Of galantry-
and for some minutes / suffered sor
of martydrom. was Like faistal
and they were like the fairies dancin
around me. Every glance was tormen
every word was dispair!-ah-how Of
ten dia sigh for that comfortable pc
sition and amusing employment 1
which Dick had surprised me-instea
of sitting in my study, with the POKE
in my hand, sketcing figures In the ash
es-I was at a large party-sitlng Tx