The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-12-14
THE BASHFUL MAN.

L ne IOlOWing Story was puOllSheu III ohc vi
the American ANIMALS. Many Of our readers
have probably never seen it. 1t is one of the
very best stories of the humorous kind that ev
er was written. 1t will bear repetition.
! As my object is but to give specimen
OF the numerous msfortunes that inccs-
sanity beset me the moment appear in ladies'
society, shall merely speak of those that be-
fel Inc at the only dinner in Paris to which L
was invited. Though laden with Introductory
letters, never delivered another.
! pass by the various efforts made before
could muster sufficient resolution to deliver 10
Madame o. the one that procured for me, and
a friend who came with me, the dinner in ques-
ton. Ipass by my trepedation at the everlas-
ting peal with which the bell responded to my
timid touch. Scarcely could distinguish the
Parle= au Suisse over the porter's lodge,where
probably Swiss never stood since its creation.
| pass by several minor blunders; such as ask
ing the porter to direct'u to "la chamber de
Madame" meaning her drawing room. Suf-
flee it to say, that my less nervous companion,
dictionary in hand, boldly led the way; that
having traversed good number of courts and
stairs, we at length arrived safely at an ante
room, where stood a servant before pair OF
/ folding DOORS which he threw wide open. and
announced us by pair of names, that we
should never have recognized as our own, had
we met them elsewhere.
Already agitated, and pcrspiring with nerv
Gus trepidation, this ostentatious mode OF en-
trance, so different from the republican SIM
plicity to which | was accustomed, was for
midable trial to me. My cheeks tingled, my
knees trembled, and my heart beat violently.
Islunk silently behind my unabashed compan-
/ ion, and endeavored to gather sufficient cour-
age 10 conceal the tremor that shook me Ike
an ague-ft. Madame o. rose to receive us;
and, as VIC approached her, it became neces-
sary that should deploy from behind my friend.
But in so doing | did not notice Il large pet
dog, who, comfortably stretched on n red vel
vet cushion, lay mapping beside his mistress,
directly in my path. OnI went, anxious on
ly to get through the Introductory ceremonies
as soon as possible, and then TO ensconce my
self in some remote corner, where,
! "1he world forgetting by the world forgot"
! might escape all notice or remark. But
truly says the French proverb, "Man proposes
but God disposcs;" and very unfortunate were
his dispositions for my intention. As | hast
ened on, all glowing with confusion, and qua
king with frigh., just as began to bow, stum-
bled over the detested pet, and was suddenly
precipitated head foremost. like an ancient
battering ram, into the lap of Miss p; over
turning episodicaly countryman of my own
who was seated next her, balancing his chair
on its two hind legs. To save himself, he in
stinctvely grasped the back of her chair; and
his weight at her rear acting at the same mo-
ment that | was hurled at her in front, decided
all hesitation, and over we all rolled together,
the chairs uppermost. The vile cur who had
been at the bottom of the whole mischief, sci.
zed me by the leg, and, receiving hearty
kick in return, added his bowling to the cho-
rus of dismay that now filled the apartment.-
Happily, the female sufferer in this melee en-
crossed all the sympathy and attention Of the
company; but well know, that in the short
minute that had elapsed since had entered
the apartment, had made three mortal enc
mics of man, dog and lady.
For my own part, as soon as dad extract
ed myself from the terrible crash, confusion,
and shame, / rctreated into the most obscure
corner of the room, where / sought 10 hide
myself and my overwhelming modification
behind the guests who were Longing about
there.
The call to dinner served rs a relief to nv
embarrassment for hoped that would engross
every ones attention, which now, could not
help feeling, must be occupied with my aw-
hardness. Following the company to the d.
ming room, | saw that each plate contained !
card, on which was written the names of the
guest who was to occupy the place thus desig !
mated, Every one seemed to find his own |
place by magic ; but for me, four or five times
did make the circuit of the table looking in |
bin vain for mine. Indeed, know not but | !
might have continued running about all dinner /
time unnoticed among the crowd of servants |
had not Madame O.'s eyes at length detected |
me as | circled round and round with an hys |
Embarrassing rapidity, my eyes dim with |
confusion, and clammy preparation bedew-
ing every pore of my body and at length |
sunk into my seat, when found. fairly exhaus
ted with modification and shame. Here, again |
II found myself embarrassed with my hat, (which |
having observed that all retained in the draw
ing.room, still grasped with nervous peril
nacity. This at length disposed of. as | |
thought at the time, with wonderful ingenuity; |
for hung it by the brim between my knees,
spreading my handkerchief over its open cav
ity.
My seat was next TO a young lady, whom, of
course was expected to entertain. | enter
tain Wofully already, had entertained the
company, but found myself infinitely better
adapted 10 entertain company en- mdsse and
singulatin.
The ordinary routine OF French dinner
now commenced. Soup and bouillic, fish, fowl,
and flesh enfremets and hors'd Geuures, while
series of servants appeared each instant al
our elbows, inviting us 10 Par'aAe u d ,"ou
s,nd d;farant dishes, and as many kinds OF
w;ne ali under strings of names which no
49, ,,,derstood. than understood their CON-
iiiO'N 49, nntrcheriec Roc |