The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-01-20

ed--iIenry Williams, who had solicited
Maria's hand in vain, would exult-and
one dearer to Maria than all others, would
be bresentto see, and perhaps hear them.
There was ample time TO arrange Mrs.
Harris dress; and if Maria could delcately
intimate the impropriety Of any remarks,
all would perhaps pass off well in the
crowd. Mrs. Harris, much to the annoy
ance of Mrs. Ellingwood aud Maria, wal
ked from one apartment TO the other, and
made absurd remarks on all she saw; offer
ing to wash up the dishes or any thing in
the world that wouldA help; and when en-
treated to sit down would say; "marcy no!
I'm so used to stirrin about, / should keep
jumping up to look out"
The eyentful evening for the party arri-
we'd.
The company most beautiful assem-
blage, met in rooms splendidly furnished
and brilliantly lighted, All passed off well
for time, and Mrs. ElIinwood and Maria
were inwardly congratulating themselves,
when Mr.. Harris, finding his quid trouble
some, and seeing no convenience for depo-
sitting it, (the room being heated by a fur
nace,) rose and walked to window filed
rare exotics. Here he espied porcupne
with its hyacinth just peeping forth, (then
an object of much curiosity which served
his purpose nicely. 1t would have passed
off unnoticed had not Mrs. Harris exclai-
med
"Why Joseph, Maria wont thank you
for splitting her flowers all over.
81 only spit on that green thing filled
with rushes," said Mr.. Harris.
The buzz ceased. There tones of voice
so discordant, produced deathlike silence.
Mrs. Ellingwood preserved her equanimity,
and by the timely aid of friends, the com
| pany was restored to its wonted tone, when
Mrs. Harris suddenly jumped up and said,
"Mrs. .Ellingwood, shan't blow out some
of these lamps! | reckon its pity 10
waste so much lie.
Mrs. Ellingwood had refreshments an
nounced Immediately, and led the way TO
her reiectory. This movement spared her
the modification of observing the general
litter which prevailed. Mr.. and Mrs. Har-
ris not being acquainted with the rules OF
precedence, made their way as fast as pos
sible, and tho Maria endeavored to keep
them back, they seemed the more anxious
"to see what was going OF" as they said,
TO the manifest discontinue of satin and
guaze.
To gaze at the table was excusable:
loaded with every delicacy of the season,
sparkling with the richest plate, and cut
| glass, which reflected back the numerous
lights, till all seemed lost in brilliancy, an
assemblage of youth and beauty fashiona
bly, dressed, and in the gayest spirits ina
ginable; the delicious strains of music which
ever and anon burst on the ears, would riv
ct the attention Of those long accustomed tc
such scenes; as for Mr.. and Mrs. Harris
good souls, they thought themselves in
fairy land, and did not dare to speak, til
Maria presented Mrs. Harris with an ice
which caused her to calculate.
why, Maria, child, havint you got owe
your old trick of eating frozen milk! don
you remember how you used to sly int
} the dairy to get it to eat!-'Tis the wors
thing in the world for the cholc."
Poor Maria! she was thunderstuck
A general smile run through the apart
ment, save where some benevolent couhte
nance manifested the utmost pity for Maria
At length she came forward.
81 deem it due to my friends, Mr.. an
Mrs. Harris, to state, that to them wa
} indebted for home in my childhood
When thrown an orphan on the wide worl
for protection, they kindly nourished m
, like an own child, and though to you, dea
I brother, laying her hand on his arm, l al
; under ohliuatione for nv ,,roson, oJ,,on,,