Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-04-26

felt like sinking to the earth my knees
were weak and ircmulous--my feet seemed
too narrow 10 support the wretched looking
which tottered above them
| passed by my blunders committed in the
progress OF the dance, to the sad annoyance
Of a whiskered dandy whose beard curled
with rage as interfered with the exhibition
of some Of his extra graces. Happened to
cast my eyes towards a mirror, us | was
jumping about, I beheld a spectacle which
shocked me. My hair was dishevelled- my
face was red-and looked altogether like
candidate for the lunatic asylum. felt as
man never felt before-thought of running
away, but that was impossible-and in the
midst of my tortures grew vexcd and reck-
less, and stamped an impression Of my boot
heel on Miss Tompkin's tender toes, who i'm
mediately CALCULATED Murder" and sunk
back into chair. That clumsy step broke
up the cotillion, and we resumed our seats
my bosom glowing like the internal crater Of
Vesuvius.
Miss Rokcby seated herself and skunk
into a chair beside her. really think was
shrunk up within one half of my dimensions.
We maintained broken conversation for
considerable length Of time, but the thoughts
Of what l had already suffered, and the fear
Of coming evils totally unified me to con-
verse with either huency or sense. My re-
marks were like my mind-wild and disor.
dered. An inextinguishable anguish burned
up from the very centre of my spirit, and my
horrors were beyond all description, terrible.
| strove to feel calm, but my heart lcaped
and battered against my ribs, and at every
pulsation sent streams Of fire into the reno
test part of my system. My mouth was
parched up, and as ratified my tongue thro'
it, it seemed like live coal, and all efforts
at salvation were utterly fruitless. My feel
ings raved like wild winds through my bos-
ON, scattering every thing like composure,
aud making a complete wreck Of hope and
happiness Such were my sensations, while
sea ed beside Miss Cathorine, scarcely con-
scious Of the presence of any thing save my
own burthensome tortures, talked; but
what was said, it would be vain in me to re-
cal, or beyond the powers Of my Imagination
to conceive.
Some Of the company commenced prone
nading, and as thought any change would
be to my advantage, asked Miss Catharine
to walk. We arose and paced the apartment.
Although burning sensation OF heat perva-
ded every part of my frame, yet the arm that
Catharine had hold of, shook as ifa young
ague had taken up its residence in it. AS
wo walked, my feelings underwent some
mitigation, and talked somewhat more col
lecteJly than before. But | was very far
from feeling comfortable. strove hard to
recollcct some of the twelve questions which
had prepared and committed to heart but
memory and every thing else seemed to be
swallowed up in the one all-engrossing whirl-
pool of my present feelings.
Mrs. Rokeby entered the apartment lead
ing along a little child that could just waddle
| felt very much relieved by the circum.
stance, as it would afford ME subject for
some remarks. Tried to smile, and patted
tho chld's cheek, it looked in my face and
pouted, and clung with frightened aspect
to tho dress of It's mother.
The only conclusion that could arrive al
was that Fate was resolved to revenge her.
self fully upon me during that evening, for
all the sins had ever committed, as vowed
she should never have another opportunity.
Every thing turned out differently from what
| had nticipated-where had hoped for al
deviation there was only greater poignancy
for my prevailing misery.
But must talk, thought /, and nothing but
the child and my fortune were presented to
mind. ventured at last to ask Miss Roke.
by whether it was sister or brother?
He is my youngest brother she answer.
ed with great noiustte.
How old is he p
Sixteen rnonths.'
He looks very much like you,' said I.
Miss Rokeby's brow was clouded, aud she
said she did not thilk the likeness very stri-
king.
again looked in the child's face, and dis
covered why Miss Catharine disclaimed any
resemblance to him-for he was the ugliest
urchin ever gazed on!
We were walking during this interesting
conversation, and nearly every one in the
room was likewise in motion. / caught Miss
Tompkins' eye frowning on me as she limp
ed along, which was far from being balm to
my lacerated feelings. The child who had
already been the cause Of two. blunders on
my part brought rattle and some other play
things into the room with him, and was
crawling about the floor altogether unmind
ful of what was transplring around. Most
lucklessly as VIC walked by him and while
was jerking my shirt collar in an agonlzino
effort TO think of something to say, he rolled
his rattle before US. At the next step
placed my foot upon it, and as it was round
and hard it rolled beneath me. was trip.
ped up and fell backwards the second time
at full length on the floor. AS fell flung
out both my arms for salvation. With my
right hand, l fixed mortal grip on Miss
Ca'harine's white null dress, and tore strip
at least foot long, from it. With my left
arm, struck the younker on the head, and
over he went. Never did urchin below so
Justify, before. This second appeal was too
much for the politeness of the company, and
universal roar echoed over the apartment.
jumped up and in my agony, rushed into
the hall, seized my hat and without touching
a single step landed on the pavement. did
not look behind me, but ran with all my might
until reached my room, and then bolted my
door, sat down, and commenced malediction
on ladies and parties which was not ended
before twelve o'clock.
FIRST REMOVING FROM HoME.-Behold a
youth removing from home, to 60 to school,
10 learn q business, or to travel. See: he
departs. The fond mother views him from
the window, and turns away-to weep. The
father accompanies him to a distance, and
having left him, looks back again, and prays,
'The God which fed me all my life. long unto
this day, the angel which redeemed me from
all evil bless the lad.' Though, in such cir
cums,ances, he still engrosscs affection and
sollcltudc, he is no longer Immediately under
the pOtico af na ropts 'rhoy bayo r;yon bi,,,