Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-11-15
A Tale Of Bashfu!ness.
BY RTlNRICH zscHokKE.

1 here is certain misfortune in tb
world. not usually enumerated in the lis
iof common miSfortunes. but which, never
lheless. ought TO be- | afford living il
lus:raiion of my assertion.
My faiher-G God rest his soul-sent ms
diligently to school. There gained some
knowledge, although our city schools
were none the best.
Eyety one sad .Maa has talent, but
ne IS 'shy and awkward, cannot adapt Rim.
sell 70 the ways Of The world. is unacouoin-
ted he usages OF society, and never knows
what to do with his hands and feet. OH
erwlSe he IS good ard clever fello y
enough,
/ Such was the general opinion Of me. -
Reader DO you perceive my failing? My
worldly education was detective. Diligent
at school and IN the workshop, was un-
Ecleanly and negligent in my attire, was
civil obliging and honest. but was bashful
withnl, SO that ran off when unknown
persons approached, my eyes never knew
where 10 look for res,ing-place when
was addressed by any stranger, and if
calleo upon TO meet lady with civiltv
and polteness, became rooted to the spot,
speechless, and stiff as a ramrod.
Enough. Poli'eness and ease Of man.
ner, as they are called, are concerns no
less pertaining to life and life's COM
| fort, than breed and potatoes or glass
OF wine.
Many young gentlemen, as have often
noticed. are greatly wanting in these res
poets. Many one on going into society,
is sadly at loss how 10 dispose of his ex-
t5emelies. and would. one could easily per-
ceive. rather have left Them a, hone. Ma.
ny such an unfortunate knows not where 10
quarter his hands, tbrusting them at one
moment into his waistcoat, at another into
his breechesspocke:s: then, in despair.
raising one other 10 his occiput,- there 10
scratch, by way of variety.
Among the other iIl-luck entaiIed by my
awkwardness, may be reckoned that of
being still bachelor; of having reached
my htty-second year, without being blessed
with a wife.
No sooner was my old aunt dead, and
|, her sole heir, thereby rendered compar-
atlvely attlueni, than |, then IN my twen-
tleth year, was led TO seek the hand of
young lndv,- who TO other proper qaaliG,
cations added beauty, Virtue, amIabiity,
and wealth besides.
| was we'll pleased with the pretty "Bar-
bara." Elalters were quickly arranged
and nothing now remained but to cultivate
her acquaintance. was accordingly TO
meet her ut the house Of her cousin,
and an invitation 10 dine was forwarded 10
me.
OF large parties had a perfect horror,
my aforesaid defective education making
me shy and timid. But then, wha: will
not man do TO secure The favor of a pret-
ty Barbara ? So put on my best Sunday
suit: white silk stockings, bran new hair
bag, and apple-green coat with large pearl
buttons; in u word, made myself look as
smart as bridegroom.
On reaching the floor of the cousins
house, however. my heart began 10 thump
against my ribs, as though had a smithy
within my breast.
IF | could only feel assured there
would not be large party" thought L.
NV ould 10 heaven it were over.'
Fortunately, | found the cousin alone,
making up an account in his study.
"You are somewhat late, friend Stol-
prian.'' said he.
| had made twenty inclinations, right and
left. and laughed in perfect agony to
look agreeable. for the fear of meeting a
large party engrossed every thought,
The cousin having finished, looked
round for his sand. ANXIOUS to be of
some service, | rushed forward, seized, as
i'll luck would have it the lnkstand instead
OF The sandbox, and poured whole stream
of the best black wiring fluid over the
neeily kept ledger. thought should
have tainted from sheer fright. and in my
confusion hurriedly drew forth my snowy
white pocket-handkerc to wipe it up
With an exclamation of '.What on
earth are you doing there, friend Stol.
prian 2" my entertainer smilingly inter-
posed, and pushing me and my black and
white handkerchief gently aside. quickly
put things 10 rights, and then led the way to
the apartment where the company were as
sembled. followed, but with troubled
spirit. and on looking down was Mortified
to observe an iEk-spot as large as flo:in
on my left white silk stocking.
Help me, heaven % mentally groan-
ed, "what will the company think ?''
The room door was opened. |, awk.
ward and block -headed BOBBY thai was
thinking 10 show myself light and graceful
as well as clever and gallant. sprang for
ward, bowing right and left. sc,aping first
with one foot and then with the other, in
all directions. and not perceiving female
domestic just before me, who was in the act
of dishfng up pie, dashed my head with
such force into her back rs TO send the pie
ivipg out Of the dish on to the floor; and
| so, with compliments and ducking and
bowing blindly advanced. | felt as though
| were in hot battle, and about TO rush up
on the enemy's guns.
/ What civil things were said on the parl
Of The company, know not. AS yet |
had not the courage TO look up. but contin-
ued like one possessed, bowing and scra-