The North-Carolina standard., 1843-04-26

can recognize. Oh there is our bon ami Johr
Brown, and his cousin George Montgomery, and
the lady who smiled upon them from the carriage
the other day, Clara Stanley; she is leaning or
Johns arm; they awaiting to take their place:
in the next cotillion. She is bewitching crea
ture. Such an exquisitely rounded form, and SC
digniied its carriage; such auburn hair, such de-
licately chiselled features such rosy lips and
pearly teeth; such glowing cheeks, and such
laughing light blue eyes, whose every sparkle tells
ofa merry soul within! Now see another person
approaches the group. He isa tall, finely formed
man, with noble features, dark eyes, and pleas
ing countenance.
"Shall have the pleasure of dancing with
Miss Stanley in the cotlion after this?" said he
bowling familiarly.
"Pray excuse me- but I am engaged" answer
ed the lady, smiling graciously upon him.
"And the next too ?"
eyes sir"
"And the next?
"1'hat also"
':And for the last2'
'No, not for the last"
"Then, pray honor me by becoming my part
ner in that
''With the greatest of pleasure"
MIR. Mortimer, for it was he, bowed and retir-
ed. And now the signal is given for the sets to
take their places. They are all ready; and now
the music burst FORTH "rich voluptuous, swelling,
wild" They move-the dance is begun-and
light heels bound, responsive to its exciting meas
ures. How joyous how gleeful, how intoxica-
ting is the "poetry of motion !" The world and
its cares-the future-the past-all are forgotten
in the blissful present The soft chain of pleas
bright chalice, and its generous contents soothe
their senses with sweet forgetfulness of lfes dark
shadowed Ills.
The dance had finished, the music had ceased,
and the gentlemen were leading their partners
from the floor.
"'Tis very warm" said Clara Stanley to our
friend, as he was conducting her to seat
Exceedingly, So" returned John. eff Miss
Stanley has no objections, would propose walk
ing in the garden uutil the next cotillion."
"None, whatever" was the reply.
Arm in arm they sauntered forth into the beau
tiful grounds which surrounded their hostess man.
sion. 1t was lovely moonlight evening in June;
the stars in thousands, gemmed the heavens and
no cloud was Wis ible in the vast expanse. soft,
southern wind came gently DER the green fields,
and shook from the rare exotics and shrubs, with
which the grounds abounded, their sweet and balmy
incense. All nature was at rest; a magic still
ness regned around-a dreamy calmness, not seen,
but felt: hung motonless about. In fact it was
fitting night for love-a night whose influence
makes the lovers affection lean more tenderly to-
ward the object of his alteration
This influence was felt by our friend as they
slowly paced the shady walks which beautifed
the garden. Her arm was locked in his-she
hung upon it; and it seemed to him, affectionate-
Iy. Her silvery voice thrilled upon his ear, as if
in warmer accents than was their wont. His
heart was in raptures.
Several times did they make the circuit of the
grounds, and at every sequestered nook they near
ed, did John determine upon following his cousins
l,,.o A. I,,ko
put off until they arrived at another opportune
place, and so on, until at last they approached a
seat beneath spreading elm
II should like to rest awhile, Mr.. Brown" said
Miss Stanley.
"And 1 have no objections" said John.
They sat down. He took her hand. A short
silence ensued; his arm stole slowly around her
pause Now-now is the time
John Brown-now the auspicious moment-I
Screw up thy courage to the sticking point-be a
wise man once Look his lips move-but they
rom her waist-he falters. Shall we read his
houghts2 We will. He is saying to HIMSELF
Time enough-time enough! Why should |
be in hurry2"
But harkl there are footsteps coming. Ah
he chance is lost, John Brown! They are join
ed by some friends, and all now proceed to the
ballroom.
week afterwards, the following notice ap-
peared in one of the morning papers:
"Last night by the Rev. MIR. Davis, Mr. Ed
ward Mortimer to Miss Clara Stanley. all of this
city" .>
The reader may imagine the modification of
our friend-we cannot describe it. Thus, by his
he lost a lovely and accomplished
wife for there is not the least doubt but he would
have been accepted He is now living a confirm
ed old bachelor. Yet his loss has had one good
effect upon him, for since that he set about curing
himself of his fault, and now there IS not more
punctual gentleman in existence.
We have only few more words to say, and
they are these. There are many more John
Browns in the world-very many-and we would
hnmbly beg them to ponder we'll upon this brief
sketch of brother in error, and bear this truthful
maxim always in mind, "meuer put off until to-
morro,o that aObich can be done today"
#It is said there is a fellow "down east" 50
powerful in the arms that he is employed to