Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-04-26
B ut to the party. Bill Rokeby told me

" ioithSotiihg NJ unc pfopct scasou ahu nv
eft me. ] could think Of nothing but the
party during the live long day and had many
presentments of coming,evIl. As am a.
prudent man, ! set about preparing some re-
marks which ! meant to make. To be sure
of them wrote them down, and committed
them to memory. prepared IL questions
which resolved to ask during the evening !;
feeling assured that if could only once get
a conversation started, my genius would be
adequate 10 sustaining it with considerable
adroltness. ! was to make my entrance at
eight o'clock, and when the clock struck Sc
ven, | commenced the labors OF the toilet
put on the best that my wardrobe could af-
ford and with all the ingenuity and taste
which had fallen to my lot, was rugged from
bottom to collar in half an hour and stood be-
fore tho glass practising gestures, smiles, &c.
! repeated my questions, and bowed to The
beautiful reflection in the glass before me al
least SO times. really became enamoured
of my own gracefulness and in my tcsta-
cies, jumped up, clapped my heels together
aud tore my very best pantaloons, which the
tailor had made too tight for the endurance
Of such capers. forthwith put on my next
best pair Of inexpressibles, and was soon on
my way to.Mr. Rokcby's, indulging in the
most beatiiic visions about the effect which
my questions and grace would produce Oh
the sensitive heart Of Miss Catliarine Roke-
by.
! arrived opposite the door, ascended the
steps, and tried to peep in at the windows.
heard a tremendous buzzing Of human vol
ces, but could distinguish no one person
stood OH The steps for ten minutes, feeling
my shirt collar, jirking up my coat, and ma
king sundry preparations for magnificent
entrance into the scene OF which hoped a
great deal, but feared more. ! had my hand
on the knob for the purpose Of ringing do
zen of times, and as often let it 90. The
night was cool, and shiverod, and at length
concluded to 90 20 neighboring coffee e-housc
and fortify my courage with generous bran
dy sling.
OFF wheecd-drank the nerve stiffener,
and returned, feeling as brave as lion;
was unaccustomed TO such strong potations,
and the steam soon put the whole machinery
OF my brain in rapid motion. My body reel
ed slightly, but my nerves were quite steady.
laid down my cloak and hat in the hall, and
conferred. The moment the glance Of the
apartment fell upon my eye, my heart was
terrified and jumped up into my throat for
safety. An electric thrill pervaded every
nerve, and scarcely knew whether my
head or my heels were uppcrmost. Before ]
regained my senses, Billy Rokcby had hold
of my arm and wanted to lead me on. !
besought him as he loved me, to suffer me to
take little fresh air-told him ! was faint,
and couldn't stand it-but my prayer was
unavaling, and he commenced leading me
about the apartment. | was completely reft
of my common senses, and have but an indis-
tinct remembrance of what occurred. was
dizzy, and felt much as a charmed bird feels
as it flutters before the basilisk seeing moth
ing but brightness and thousand eyes.
was soon seated in the corner Of the
room, and ventured in about five minutes to
glance round upon the company in which
was bopelessly fixed. There were not more
than twelve ladies' present, and about four
gentlemen, counting myself among them al
though felt most acutely shabby pulled
out my handkcrchief-wip off the perspira-
ton which had been wrung from my tore
hcad-and then-crossed my legs and said
nothing simply because could think of moth
ing to say. There was lady within two
feet Of me, she was very pretty, and recog-
nized in her the sister of Bill. looked at
her, and then scratching out some Of the
twelve questions, but for my life could not
think of any. At last happy lho't struck
me, and, after sundry contortions, fixed my
eyes sternly on her feet, and said
Its very cold out this evening" at the same
,ims brushing the big drops of sweat from
my brow.
Yes SIR she answered, 'but it's pleasanter
than those we have recently had
As she spoke caught her eye-that look
utterly put to fight the only idea had mar
sllalled. Oh! my horror Miss Catharne
was kind, aud made some remarks about the
company which did not understand.
'Madame-or NJ Mi Miss, said l., 'are you
acquainted with Mics Tompkns whom you
see on the other side Of the room, dressed in
white ? she interrogated,
sNo.'
'How long have you resided in the city, MIR
Lockbrdge? have often heard William
speak Of YOU
'Yes-that is to say about year.
The lady cast crucifyng look at me, and
! changed legs, crossing my right with my
left. wiped my mouth-bit my lips-and
thought of question.
Il suppose you know we are to have the
HALEY comet rs visiter TO our solar system
before long, said with great gravity.
NO, SRI know but little of any comets
but those which visit our social SYSTEM she
replied, with a peculiarly of tone did not
understand at the moment Immediately be-
gan to show off my knowledge Of astronomy,
a favorite subject withstanding Miss Roke-
by had Just informed me she knew nothing
about il. swung back in my chair, as my
Imagination swung through the heavens, and
expatiated on comments, perihelions and ap-
helion-eccen,ric and elpitical orbits. be-
came enthusiastic on my ravorite topic. ]
absolutely got to making gestures. My chair
was on its two hind feet, and was reeling
backwards when I raised my arm up and
swept it round my head, for tho purpose Of
describing curvilcanicr line, in illustration
of a comets track, when lost my balance
the chair slipped-snd down went sprawl
ing. My back was on The carpet-my arms
were extended, while my feet were kicking
about in the air. Miss Rokeby afraid of get
ting kicked jumped up and ran over to the
other side of the room, and Bill came to my
relief The company was still in moment
thanks to their politeness, they had too
much Of that commodity TO laugh. got up,
picked up the chair, and was soon resested.
Bill sat beside me, and tried to turn my at
tcnion from the accident, but that was i'm
possible. Presently I heard a lady litter
near me, and felt like annihilating her,
Every face in the room was strange, and it
was but the expression Of suppressed laugh
ter. NV cheeks burned, my limbs trcmbled,