Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-12-22
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very 6ne figure said Mrs. Long the other
day to Mr.. Short, as she was sitting beside
him on the sofa. and Zephyrina was playing
on the harp. Mrs. Long had several daugi'-
tiers to dispose Of, and Mr.. Short was bache-
lor well 10 do in the world. His temper was
a little Grabbed and his wit little sarcastic
but Mrs. Long had daughters 10 marry, the
eldest Of whom, Zephyrina, was none OF the
Youngest. Her precise age we do not know,
and If we did il would not be polite to men
ton it.
Don't You think my daughter Zephyrina is
a very fine figure! said Mrs. Long, with
glance of maternal satisfaction.
Umph muttered MI. Snort, as he tapped
his snuff box for the third time, very much
like figure S, think!
A figure S !! said Mrs. Long, little NORTH
ed though she knew the disposition Of Mr..
Short. A figure do you say, Mr.. Short. 0,
now you are thinking of your interest table.
Compare my daughter Zephyrina to figure
s! Fie. fe on you Mr.. Short, you'll never get
married as long as you live.
If don't. il will be no fault Of yours, Mrs.
Long. said Mr.. Short, as he threw long pinch
Of snuff up his nose.
True, true, said Mrs. Long, with look Of
great kindness: take an interest in the well
fare of my neighbors, and like to see all the
single gentlemen provided for. Don't you
think Zephyriaa plays the harp and sings with
agreat taste!
think her execution is uncommon.
lam glad you approve it. Mr.. Short.
! didn't say approved it Mrs. Long. ]
merely said twas uncommon-very much like
the noise of two cats in gutter.
o you shocking man! Mr.. Short-you've
no taste, no feeling.
But can hear very sensibly, Mrs. Long
putting his fingers to his ears.
You've no music in your soul, az Handmill
says.
That cursed noise has driven it all out.
Indeed Zephyrina's voice is not exactly in
tune to night. but think she plays and sings
remarkably we'll, for one Of her age, don't you,
Mr.. Shortl
Umph ay-for that matter, she is icdeed
rather old TO learn.
Old! Mr.. Short?
Ay madam, you know they learn these
things much better in their younger days.
How old do you take my daughter Zephyri-
ma to be, Mr.. Short!
Lord ma'am, how should know was'n
at the christening. But she's no chicken.
As true as I'm alive, Mr.. Short, she's only
nine
And twenty, Mrs. Long! Well, I'm not a
Judge Of these matters, but should say
She looks ten years older than she really is.
She has verv womanly look for one of her
age-don' you think she has, Mr.. Short
Umph! think she has some resemblace to
a woman.
She was as forward at fifteen, though say
it, as most girls are at twenty-five.
hate your forward chits.
But you don't understand me, Mr.. Short, l
moon Ohio wos forward in wornnnly occom-
plishments, and in womanly appearance.
O, as to the appearance, could swear she
had been woman these dozen years.
Dancing was now proposed, and as Mr.. Short
protested against shaking the foot, even though
Zephyrina was ready be his partner. Mrs.
Long still entertained him with the accom-
plishments Of her daughter.
Don't you admire Zephyrina's dancing!
l cant say that I'm Judge of those small
matters, Mrs. Long
You re too modest, Mr. Short.
It's a rare fault, Mrs. Long.
Observe with what grace she moves, real
ly think she dances remarkably, for one of her
age, don't you think SO MI. Short?
UmPh / think she dances much better than
clumsy dancer.
Fie, fie on you! Mr.. Short to compare nv
daughter Zephyrina to four legged beastess.
Why, that's not her fault, ma am.
Whose fault?
Why,your daughters, that she wasn't made
beas,ess too, as you call the elephant.
hope no insinuation Mr.. Short?
0, Lord no, ma am, hav'nt an insinuatioe
turn.
Don't you think Zephyrina is jus: about the
right height!
l think she's rather Long.
Do You, indeed, MI. Short! hope you don't
think it an objection.
Objection! 9, by no means-she NAV be
Long. ay, as long as she pleases-I have no
objection.
I'm glad to hear you say SO, Mr.. Short
Lepbyrna is certainly rether tall of her age.
hate beanpole.
How your mind is always wandering from
the point, Mr.. Short. Ii speak of music,
you talk of cats ia the gutter if 81 eak of
lady's dancing, you talk of the movements of
an elephant, if speak of tall young woman,
you Immediately fly to beanpole.
This is my misfortune, Mrs. Long.
Well. well, every body musl have their lit
tie pecnlianties. Did ever show YOU nv
daughter Zephyrina's drawingss
OF beer, or cider! 81
What are you thinking Of Mr.. Short!
Why, don't pretend to know I'm sure.
spoke about Zephyrina's drawing, and you
talk about beer OF cider. mean her drawings
OF birds and flowers, Mr.. Short.
O-ay-yes--Iu understand you.
Just step to this table, Mr.. Short, and we
can examine them to more ad Vantage. There!
what do you think of that Mr.. Short.
That's beautiful crow.
A crow: Mr.. Short-ha! ha ha crow!
Why. what in the world can you be thinking
Of! That's robin red breast.
Well. Idare saw il in. now vou vc.r.;., :.