The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-06-13

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erai deep wrinkles on his cheek. As INV
cousin did not Introduce me | introduced
Q myself was usked io be seated, and
soon discovered that my uncle had no ol,.
, Jectlons to little gossip. a mug If cider
was offered me, aud several other little civ.
: ili'es which the churlish welcome of M,
cousin had hardly given me any reason I,
, expect. The good wife had set the table
and it groaned beneath such substantial
food as would have frightened a Grahamii
: out of his senses. After resting myself,
arose TO depart. My easy uncle told m
; that If would stop and eat with them
, should be welcome--but the frown on th
, brow of my thrifty aunt boied that tn,
welcome would be all OR one side. Nj,
, aunt looked knives and forks at me, but M
r uncle encouraged me TO defy oil opposition
A girl came gliding into the room, hefor,
we had finished our repasr. She was dress.
! ed in plain factory cloth and not remarka
bly, handsome. was not long in discover.
! ing that she was my cousin Ellen. A youn-
| ger girl soon followed her into the kitchen.
This was her younger sister Almira. Al
J though uot beautiful, Almira was lovely.
Her form was light and airy.--and the ex-
! preston of her countcnance peculiarly soft
; and amloble. The two girls soon began
talking Of pnriy which they intended Civ.
ing soon. Their father made some obser-
vn;ions about The noise and confusion at
tending these assemblies of the young, nnd
! the girls removed his scruplos by saying
that they were going to sweep up and gar
nish uncle Na,han's old house for the pur-
pose. smiled covertly, and determined to
procure an invitation 10 the party if possible.
For this purpose, offered some civii,ies to
my cousin. But failed utterly in my at
tempis TO gain her good will. afterwards
learned that she regarded me ms penniless
traveller who had called Mt her fathers
house, for the purpose of sponging n meal
out of them. Although his wife's incivility
had wrought no change in the manner Of
my uncle toward me, yet | could perceive
that the disdain of the elder daughter wns
not without It's effect upon the plain farmer.
-Nsnen departed, ! was not asked to
call ugaiu, and the answer to my farewell
was scarcely audible. retired 10 the vii
laee.--In the tavern where put up, were
several youths who had received intelligence
of my cousins party, and soon perceived,
by their remarks, that an invitation was
sometimes dispensed with. This was i'm
portant intelligence 10 me, and resolved to
present myself to the queen Of the revels,
on the succeeding evening. | wGited i'm
patiently until the appointed hour, and then
left the village and walked over The same
ground which has already been described.
IL. A
horse occasionally troled by me loaded with
youth aud his female partDer.-At one
time, the rumbling Of a chaso was heard
aud merry voices in the neighboring fields
bctokened that the young rusIics were has
tening from every poiut Of the compass, -
to my fathers dlapiduted farm house. AS
| walked slowly, however, these sounds had
died away in the distance before came in
sight of the place Of meeting. The first
glance told me that the party had assembled.
The windows were brilliantly lighted and
could see forms gliding within, aud hear the
sound of singing and other merrimen,.
scarcely recognized my female cousins in
the altered garb which they had assumed.
All the simplicity Of their attire had vanish
ed. Their gowns were silk and n profusion
of false ringlets shaded their joyous brows.
The rooms were thronged with youths Of
both sexes, well dressed and full Of aDina-
ton. had scarcely seated myself before
a certain play was commenced n novelty
tn me, hut very common in the country.
As many of the company as can find room
stand up and take hold of hands, by which
large ring is formed. Two or three nre
placed in the centre of the circle, and the
rest wbirl round .bem aud sing fragmest
OF song. As they conclude, those in the
centre choose partners from the ring. I
watched the play few moments, and then
entered the ring. ] was soon chosen by
my younger cousin, who chanced at that
time to be in the centre. inflicted the
customary, salute upon her lips, and took
my stand in the middle Of the ring. was
now an object of atteniion,-nnd ! could
perceive whispers going round the circle.
AT The same time, my cousin Ellen looked
sharply at me, and shook her beod con
temptuously when youth bad done wbis-
perIng IN her ear. pretended to be in
sessIbc 10 the observation which elected
and ms the circle wbHlsd around me,
seized the hand Of Ellen rather srdenily
snd drew her into the centre. She resisted
my attempt to salute ber--tbe circle stood
still, snd there was much whispering. Sud-
denly the ring broke up, and something
like bostlc ensucd. Every eye was d.
reciod 10 me. ] could read AN expression
Of fierce resentment in the eyes Of the young
men WHO conversed with Ellen, while the
gentle Almira appeared to be cndeayorIng
to still the rising storm. At length a
pompous young rustic approached the spot
where ! stood.
Stranger said he, may be you haint
received 40 invite to this paryr
Every sound was bushed aud The whole /
held their brcall's in expectation
Of my reply.