Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-10-09
THE BAsHFUL MAN.


speak Of those that bcfel me at the only dinner in
Paris to which was invited Though laden with
Introductory letters, never delivered another.
pass BY the various efforts made before I
mustered sufficient resolution to deliver to Madame
o, the one that procured for me, and friend who
came with me, the dinner in question. ! pass by
my ,repdation ct the everlasting peal with which
the bell responded to my timid touch. Scarcely
could distinguish the Parlez on .Suis,a, over the
porters lodge, where probably Swiss never stood
since its erection. pass by several minor lun-
ders such asking the porter to direct to "ia
chumbre de Madan,e,' meaning her drawing room.
Suffice il to say, that my less nervous companion,
dictionary In hand, boldly led the way tha, having
traversed good number Of courts an STAIRS we at
length arrived safely at an an,e.room, where stood
servant before pair of folding doors, which he
threw open, and announced US by pair of names
that we should never have recognized as our own,
had met them elsewhere.
Already agitated and prespiring with nervous
trepidation, this ostenatous mode of entrance so
different from the republican simplicity to which
was accustomed, was formablc trial to me. My
cheeks ,inged, my knees tremblcd, and my heart
beat violently. skunk silently behind my com.
psnion, and endeavored gather sufficient courage
to conceal the uemor that shook me like an aguc
fit. Madame o, rose TO receive us and as we ap.
preached her. it became necessary that should
depioye from behind my friend. But in so doing,
did no, notice large pet dog, who. comfortably
stretched on a reb cushion, lay mapping beside his
mistress, directly in my path. On went, anxious
only to get through the Introductory ceremonies
as soon as possible, and then to my self in
some remote corner, where,
"The world forgetting, by the world forgot
might escape all malice or remark But truly
s,ys the French prove,b, "Man proposes, but God
dispose.," and very unfortunate were his dispositions
for my intentions. As has,ened on, all glowing
with confusion, and quaking with fright, just as
began my bow, ! stumbled over the de,estel pet,
was suddenly precipita,ed head foremost. like an
ancient baltering ran into the lap Of Miss p,
turning eqisodicaly coun,ryman of my own, who
was seated next her balancing his chair its two
| hind legs. To save himself, he insinctivey y
gr5sped the back Other chair and his weight at her
rear acting at the same momen, TINT was huddlrd
at her 'front.' decided all hes alton, and over we all
rolled together, the chair upp"rm st. The vile cur
| who had been at the bottom OF the whole misch ef
seized me by the leg and received hearty kick in
return, added his bowling to the chorus Of dIsmay
that now filled the apartment, Happily, the femal,
sufferer in this melee engrosscd all the sy ympnthy
and attention Of the company but we'll knew
that in the short minute that had elapsed since
had entered the apartment, hal made three mora
enemies. man, dog, and lady.
Fo, my own part as soon as had e1tficael
myself from the terrible crash, confusion and shame
J retrea,eJ into the most obscure corner OF III,
room, where I sought 10 hide my self and my over
whelming modification behind the guests who wen
ounging about there.
The call to dinner served as relief 10 my en-
barrassment for Ihoped that would engross ever,
ones attention, which now, could not but fee
mus, he occupied with my awkwardness. Follow
ing the company TO the dining room, saw ,hu
each plate contained a card, on which was writte
the name of the guest who was TO occupy the pla,
thus designated. Every one seemed to find hi
place IS by magic; but as for me, four or 6v
times did make the circuit ofthc table, looking il
vain for miRe Indeed, | know no, but ! nigh
have couIinued running about all dinner time un
moested among the crowd Of servants, had nc
Madame O's eyes at length detected me as ! circle
round and round with a hysericay interesIin
rapidity, my eyes dim with confusion, aud olsu
my perspraion believing every pore Of my bod
and | at length sunk into my seat, when W;
fairly exhausted with modification and sham
Here. again, found myself embarrassed with N
hat which. having observed that all retained in Il
+. drawing-room, still grasped with nervous per,
nancy. This a, length disposed Of, as ,houg
at the time with wonderful ingenuity; for hur
! it by the brin between my knees, spreading n
! handkerchief over its open cavity.
My seat was neIt to young lady, whom
! course was expected TO entertain Wofuly h,
I already entertained the company but foul
= myself infinitely better adapted to entertain
company sn nias,s than stinguiatim.
: The ordinary routine ofa French dinner nc
: commenced. Soup and bouille, fish. fowl, and he
e ent,ements, and hors deaurres, while series
r. servants appeared each instant q, our elbows, in
IS ting US to par,ake Of a thousand dishes, and of
Is many different kinds Of wine, all under strings
ir names Of which ! no more understood than ] /
il dersOod their composition, or than they did
n
o. tonires for displaying any predominant, trait, |
IN the most obstinate silence; saying Eyes" 10 ev