Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-12-01
From THE TOKEN roR 1881.
THE BASHFUL MAN

rors of bashiulness pass by this article He
will find here nothing with which he can s,m-
pathise. But he who knows The exquisite
MISERY OF a temperament, whose very nature
almost shuts him out from human sympathy.
while il opens upon him the full sluiccs of
laughter and ridcule; he only should read.
for he only can understand, this chapter of
my sufferings. 1t is but a specimen of nv
life. Ersmo disco omnes. To all others II
will be sealed fountain; and, as they pass
| u Ly IN the proud consciousness of the un
speakable Blessing OF impudence. let them
thank heaven that its waters can never flow
for them.
AS my object is but TO give specimen of
the numerous contre temps that necessarily
beset me, the moment appear in ladies' So
ciety, shall merely speak of those that be-
fel me at the only dinner ia Paris. TO which
! was invited. Though laden with introduc-
tory letters, | never delivered another
pass by the various efforts made, before
! could muster sufficient resolution to deliver
TO Madame 0. the one that procured for me,
and friend who came with me, the dinner
in qsestion. pass by, too, my trepi1a,ion
at the everlasting peal with which The bell
responded to my timid touch. Scarcely could
distinguish the Parlez ou Suisse, over the
Porter's lodge. where probably Swiss never
stood sinceits creation pass by, too, sew
erai minor plumbers, such as asking the por-
ter to direct us to la chambre de Madame
meaning her drawing room. Suffice it to say,
that my less nervous companion, dictionary
in hand, boldly led the way; that having ira
versed goodly number Of courts and stairs,
we at length arrived safely at an ante-room;
where stood servant before pair OF fold
ing doors, which he threw wide open, and
announcing US by pair of names we should
never have recognized as our own, had We
met them elsewhere
Already agitated, and persevcring with
nervous trepidation, this esteniatious mode
OF entrance, 50 different from the republican
simplicity to which was accustomed, was
formidable trial TO me. My checks tingled,
my knees trembled aud my heart beat vio-
lentlJ. skunk silently behind my nnabaAh-
ed companion, and endeavoured TO gather
sufficient courage TO conceal the tremor that
shook me like an ague fit Madame o rose
to receive US; and, as we approached her, it
became necessary that should deploye from
behind my friend. But in SO doing, did
not notice large pet dog, who, comfortably
stretched ON a red velvet cushion, lay nap
ping beside his mistress, directly in my path.
On went, anxious only to get through the
ceremonies soon as possible,
and then to ensconce myself in somelemote
corner, where,
THE ,corld forgetting. by The ,rorld forgot
might escspe all notice or remark Buttru-
y says the French Proverb 'L'honme Sc pro
pose, mas, c'est te bon Diem pui dispose and
very unfortunate were bis dispositions for my
intention As fastened on oil glowing with
confusion, ami qiaking with fright, just as
began my bow, | stumbled over the dctested
| pet, and was suddenly precipitated head fore
most, like an ancient battering ram, into the
Hap Of Miss P overlurnng epiodlcally a
countryman of my own, who was seated next
hor, balancing his chair on its two hind legs.
| To save himself he mstinctively grasped the
back of her chair; aud bis weigh, at her rear.
acting at the same moment that was hurled
al her in front, decided all hesitation, and
yer we all rolled together, the chairs upper
most. The vile cur, who had been at the
bottom of tue whole mischief, seized me by
the leg, receiving hearty kick in return, adj
ded his bowling to the chorus OF dsmay that
now filed the apartment. Happily, the ic-
male sufferer in this melee engrossed all the
sympathy and attention Of the company. but
| | web knew, that in the short minute that
| had elapsed since | entered the apartment
bad made three mortal enemies, OF man, a
dog and lady.
| For my own part, as soon as had extri-
Gated myself from The terrible crash, covered
with confusion and shame, reiterated into
! the most obscure corner of the room, where
sought TO hide myself and my overwhelm-
! ing modification, behind the guests who were
/ laughing about there.
The call to dinner served as relief TO my
embarrassment for hoped that that would
engross every ones attention, which now.
could not help feeling, must be occupied with
my awkwardness. Following the company
into the dining room, | saw that each plate
contained card, on which was written the
name of the guest who was to occupy the
place thus designated. Every one seemed
10 find his own plate by magic; but for me,
four or five times did make the circuit of
the table, looking in vain for mine. Indeed
| know not but might have continued run
ming about unnoticed by the crowd of ser
wants, all dinner time, had not Mad. O's eye
at length detected me. as circled round and
round, with an h-steIicaily increased rapid
lty, nav ewes dim with confusion, and a clam
lmy perspiration believing every pore OF my
body; and | at length sunk into my seat,
when found. fairly exhausted with mortifea
Ition and shame Here, again. found myself
Embarrassed with my hat, which, having OBJ
Iscryed that all retained in Their hands 10 the
ldrawing room, still grasped with nervous
pertinaciiy This a: length disposed oil, as
Ii thought at the time, with wonderful Ingenu'
Iuy; for hung it by the brim between my
knees. spreading my handkerchief over us