Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-03-17
MRG
Adventures 81 = Ba.hful mar.

Adventures 81 = Bashful mar.
NY father was man Of great property; and
with no other learning than what he had ac-
CURED at acharity school; but my mother be-
ing dead, and the only child, he determined
TO give me that advantage which he fancied
would have made him happy, learned edu-
canon. Twas semitic acountry grammar school,
and from thence 10 university, with view
ofqualifying me for holy orders. Here, hav.
ing but small allowance from my father, and
being naturally of timid and bashful DISPOSE
ton. l had no opportunity of rubbing off that
native awkwardness, which is the fatal cause
OF all my unhappiness, and which, fear, will
never be amended. You must know that in
my person am tall and thin. with fair COM
piexion, and light faxen hair; but Of such ex-
treme susceptibility Of shame, that on the
smallest subject Of confusion, my blood rushes
into my cheek, and appear perfect full
blown rose. The consciousness of this pd-
happy failing, made me disavow society, and
ssccccaine cc:namored Of college life particu-
larly when reflected, that the uncoui,, isis:,-
ner OF my fathers family were little calculated
to improve my outward conduct; therefore
had resolved on living at the university, and
taking pupils; when two unexpected events
altered the posture Of my affairs, viz: my faith
ers's death and the arrival Of an uncle from
the Indies.
This uncle l had rarely heard my father men,
ton. and It was generally believed, that he
had long since died; when he arrived in Eng
land only week too late to close his brothers.
eyes. am ashamed to confess, what be-
ieve has been often experienced by those
whose education was better than their parents,
that my poor fathers ignorance and vulgar Ian
guage, had otter made me blush to think ]
was his son; and at his death was not incon-
solable for the loss Of that which was not
|unfrequentlv ashamed to own. My uncle was
little affected, for he had been separated from
his brother more than thirty years, and in that
time he had acquired a fortune which he FIRE.
qnently used to brag would make nabob hap
py; in short, he had brought over with him the
enormous sum Of thirty thousand pounds, and
upon this he built his hopes Of never ending
happiness. While he was planning schemes
Of greatness and delight, whether the change
Of climate might affect him, or what other
cause know not, but he was snatched from all
his dreams Of Joy. by short illness Of which
ne died, leaving me heir to all his property.
And now behold me at the age Of twenty-five,
well stocked with Latin, Greek, and Mathe-
mates, possessed Of an ample fortune, but so
awkward and IMMERSED in every gen,lemanlike
accomplishment. that was pointed at by all
who saw me, rs the ,ceahhy learned clo,cn.
Ihave lately purchased an estate IN the conn-
try, which abounds in, WHAT'S called, FASH
ionable neighborhood, and when got Iehect
on my parentage and uncouth manners. ycn
will hardly think how much my company was
courted by the surrounding families, especial
ly those who have manageable daughters;
from those gentlemen had received familiar
calls, and the most pressing invitations---and
though wished TO accept their offered friend
ship. have repeatedly excused myself under
the pretence Of not being quite settled; for the
truth is, that when rode or walked, with full
intention of returning the several visits, my
heart has failed me as approached their gates,
and ! have frequently returned homewards, re-
solving to try it again tomorrow.
quer my .imidity, and three days ago accept
whose open, easy manner, left me no room to
ly, who lives about two miles distant, is ba-
ronet, with about two thousand pounds year
estate, joining to that purchased; he has two
oOUS nuu hNV uoukutCIos Oh ksO"uup ouO Ibv$
ing with their mother and maiden sister of Sir
Thomas at Friendly dependent on their
father. Conscious of my unpublished gait,
have for some time taken private lessons Of
professor, who teaches grown people to dance;'
and though at first found woDdrous difficult
~ in the art he taught, my knowledge Of the
mathematics was Of prodigious use, in teach
ing me the equilibrium Of my body, and the
due adjustment of the centre of gravity Of the
hve positions. Having now acquired the art
Of walking without totIering, and learning to
make bow. boldly ventured TO obey the ba-
ronets invitation to family dinner, not doubt
ing that my new requirements would enable
me to see the ladies with tolersble intScpidiiy;
but, alas! how vain are al the hopes Of theory.
when unsupported BY habitual practice. As
approached the house. dinner bell alarmed
nv fears, lest had spoiled tho dinner, BY
want Of punctualty. impressed with this idea,
bIushed the deepest crimson, ~ my name
was repeatedly announced by several livery
servants, who ushered me into the library,
hardly knowing whom OF whit saw; 10 my
first entrance, I summoned all my foflItude,
and made my new learned bow TO Lady Friend
", and unfortunately in bringing back my
left foot 10 the third position, trod on the
equity toe Of Sir Thomas, who had followed
close to nv heels, to he the noInenclator OF the
family. The confusion thus occasioned in me
10 hard TO be conceived, since none but bashiui
men can Judge Of my distress, and Of that de-
scription the number is very small.
The baronets politeness by degrees d!ssi'
pated my concern. and was aslonished to
zee how far good breeding could enable him
to suppress his feelings, and TO appear with
perfect ease, after so painful an accident.
The cbeeTfulness Of her ladyshiP, and the
familiar chat Of the young ladies. insensibly
led me to throw off my reserve and shespish-
ness ill At lennih l yentuYed 10 Join 10 con.