Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-01-12

OF needless shame, and self-imposed disgrace.
Couper.
If there be human being, who merits the com
msscralon Of mankind, i; must be he, who shrink-
abashed from the gaze Of his fellow mcn-who
be.rays his fearful imdty, by the involuntary
blush, and quiyoring lip; and whose awkward,
and uncouth manners, render himself, and all Il
bou, HIM miserable Whether BAsnFULNEss arises
from weak and stupid mind, or, from a modest
and just conception of its weakness Though
would fain believe tho latter l shall not pretend
10 say As for myself Bashfulness has been
incubus on my cxertions. 1t has become
component part OF my nature, and Incorporated
into my system, until its removal would be no
less difficult than the amputation of an arm. In
my Juvenile days, would have tasted fortnight,
rather than have entered the house, when stran-
gers were present. especially If they were ladies,
for at that time, looked upon lady particularly
Il pretty girD as being the most formidable ami
nal in existence, and much to be stunned by
all good men as a "modcrn fcderalist.'' 1t is at
this age that bashfulness rules the mind with such
potent sway. When the young ,yro, is making
his first entry into society, perhaps paying his
devors ut The shrine Of some Ducena--lhen it is
that ho finds it necessary to call into requistion
difficulties, and fancied obsruc that beset the
path Of the bashful.
Well do l remember that awful period when
made my first debut in tho company of a lady, the
particulars Of which, for the instruction and edi-
fication of my sympathetic and less knowing
readers, will here rotate. certain little lassIe,
had been for sometime making inroads upon the
territories Of my too susceptible henrt-producing
some feelings very peculiar, and throwing me into
such a restless fever, that, had sleep been high
criminal offence, the thoughts Of her would have
kept me innocent. But, for the sake Of brevty, |
we will pass the interval of doubts, suspense,
and fears, that invariably crowd upon the mind,
on tho inception Of any hazardous enterprise; and
begin ut that period, when had come to the bold
conclusion -marshaed all my resolution and
wound up my courage to the highest pitch, TO
make an attack on tho aforesaid little disturber
ofmy unsophsticated mind. Having completed
tho brief laDors of the toilette, stood before the
glass-practised gestures, and smoG, and bowed,
most magnifcenty as the beautiful visions of fu-
turo bliss passed through my enraptured imagina-
ton. This done, sailed forth, Eliminating upon;
but, what my thoughts were, leave to the
quick conception Of my sympathetic readers,
they can better conceive than describe them;
but, for instance, reader did you ever hear within
YOUR breast, a noise similar to the drumming OF
a phea SAINT, did your heart rise up if anx-
ious to seek n more airy abode; IN short, did you
ever imagine yourself the most awkward and ugly
lumpkn that ever lived? if 50. you know some
thing Of my feelings on entering the gate that led
to the home ofmy Dulcensa del Toboso. Q, she
was a rare beauty | assure you, mild intelligent
eve, graceful figure, and voice as melodious as
the sound of distant music on water, or the dying
notes of the nolian harp. In truth, she possessed
one other quality, which, owing to the peculiar
nature Of my infrmity, was unable to discover
Gentle aud unsophis:icated reader do not startle,
do not DO astonished when tell you that she was
a coquet,e, yes, as strange AS IT may appear, and
as inconsistent with the charac of the sex, II IS
nevertheless true, that she a coquetto of the
worst cast.
But no matter; | at length arrived at the door
of the aforesaid mansion, and after having braced
up nerves, adjusted my collar, stock, &c, with
trembling hand attempted to knock, which with
difficulty did, with much Of the cautlousness OF
one who had ar in,uitve perception of coming
evil No sooner was the knocking heard than my
Ducenea appeared at the door, and opening II very
politely invited me to walk Into take seat ,
to have my hat laid aside, &c, all of which per-
mtted her to do, not being able TO refuse or con-
sent, This done, she Immediately took a seat by
nv side, from whence she assaed me with a vol
ley Of questions about my health, my sisters, the
new preachers, and the del knows what all, new
er giving me time to answer one of them, suPPo-
sing, and that wisely too that was too much con-
fused to givo an ineligible answer. There sat, ,
in all the glory of perfect awkwardness, afraid to
move lest should make some mistake, and vet ,
ctcrnally moving in my vain efforts to get grace
ful position; whilst at the same time, my "iady :,
love- was overwhelming me with specimens OF
poiteness, and producing such hals,orm OF 'o- ,
ciferous Gathering, would have deafened
miller Under these circumstances, sat and
cont emplated my unsightly appearance until the 8
blood boiled in my veins. and rushed up into my
face, imparting to il, hue somewhat less pale =
than the ghos, of Banquo Watching tav orable
opportunity TO change my position, moved a ;,