The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-10-03
DAILY GRE SCENT.
A Tale Of Rashfulness.

afford living illustration of the truth of my asser-
ton. -
NV father-GOd rest his soul-sent me diligently
to school; there / gained some knowledge, al
though our city schools at that period were none of
the best.
Every one said: sc Max has talent but he is shy
and awkward, cannot adapt himself to the ways Of
the world, is unacquainted with the usages OF So
ciety and never knows what to do with his hands
and feet Otherwise he is good and clever fellow
enough"
Such was the general opinion of me. Reader,
do you perceive my failing My worldly educa-
tirn was defective. Diligent at school and In the
workshop. / was uncleanly and Negligent of my at.
tire; was civil, obliging and honest, but bashtul
withal, so that ran off when unknown persons
approached +; my eyes never knew where to look
for a resng-place when addressed by a stranger,
and if called upon to meet lady with civifity and
politeness became rooted to the spot, speeches.,
and stiff as a Tamrod.
Observation-Disclosures and ease of manner, as they
are called, are concerns no less pertaining to life
and life's comfort, than bread and potatoes or
glass of wine
MANY Young gentlemen as Ihave often observed,
are greatly wanting in these respects. Many
one on going into society is sadly at loss how 10
dispose of his extremities, and would, one can
easily perceive have much rather left them at
home. Many such an unfortunate knows not
v here to quarter his hands, thrusting them at one
moment into his waistcoast, at another into his
breeches pockets, then in despair raising one or
other to his occput there to scratch by way of va
riety.
Among other ill-luck entaed by my awkward
ness NAV be reckoned that of being still bachelor,
of having reached my ffy-second year without be-
ing blessed with wife.
No sooner was my old aunt dead, and her sole
heir thereby rendered comparatively atfiuent than
I, then in my thirtieth year, was led to seek the
hand of a young lady, who to other qualifications
added beauty, virtue, amiabiity, and wealth be-
Sides
was well pleased with the pretty Barbara mat
tiers were quickly arranged, and nothing remained
but to cultivate her acquaintance. WIS accord
ingly to meet her at the house of her c1nein, and
an invitation to dine was forwarded to s4c.
Ofarge parties had a perfect horro, lly atore-
said defective education making me sh I'd tlmld;
but then what will not man do TO sec' the favor
of pretty Barbara? So put on my best Sunday
suit, white silk stockings, bran new hai bag, and
applegreen coat with large pearl buttons-ln a
word, made myself smart as a bridegroom.
On reaching the door of the Cousins house,
however, my heart began TO thumb against my
ribs as though had a smithy within my breast,
IF could only feel assured there will not be
party'' thought l. "would to heaven it were over.
| Fortunately found the cousin alone, making up
an account in his study ''You are somewhat late,
friend Stopriau,'' said he. ! made twenty incli-
nations right and left, and laughed in a perfect
agony to look agreeable, for the fear of meeting
/
| The cousin having finished, lCr Lad round TOR
some sand. Anxious to be of servias rushed for
! ward seized as i'll luck would have it, the ink
| stand instead Of the sandbox and noIred whole
stream of the best black writing aud over the
| neatly kept ledger. ] thought should have 1mme-
dately tainted from sheer fright and in my confu
| sion hurriedy drew forth my snow-white pocket
| handkerchief to wipe it up
With an exclamation of "What on earth are you
| doing there friend Stopriau =" my entertainer
smilingly interposed, and pushing me and my black
| and white 'kerchief gently aside, quickly put
things to rights and then led the way to the apart
| Inent where the company were assembled. fol-
| lowed but with a troubled spirit, and on looking
down Mortified to observe an ink blot as large
as form on my left white silk stocking. Help
me, heaven :" mentally groaned, what viii the
| company think ...
| The room door is opened. l. awkard, block
headed BOBBY that | was, thinking to show myself
light and graceful, as well clever and gallant,
sprang forward bowling righr and left, backward
and forward, scraping first villa one foot, then
with the other, in all directions and not perceivng
female domestic just before me, who was in the
act of dishing up pie, dashed my head with such
force into her back, send the pie flying out OF
the dish ON the floor, and so with compliments and
| ducking and bowling, blindy advanced. | felt as
| though were in battle, and about to rush on the
| enemy's guns. -aa Fl.
! What civil things were said on the part of the
! company know not; as yet had not the courage
to look up but continued, like one possessed, bow
| ing and scraping, and calculating ''your humble
servants" in all directions, until cut short by
/ fresh mishap
! had in fact reached the pie, which still lay
there for the servant had not sufficiently recovered
from her fright and loss of BREATH and stood staring
atthe masterpiece of cooking dashed to pieces on
! the floor without an effort to remove 1t. -.-..
| All at once, while engaged in making fresh in
clination, my unfortunate left foot wandered into
! the pastry. saw nothing, for all bod become dark
! before my eyes. Disgracelully, but naturally
enough, my foot slid from under me in an instant,
personal and political balance were lost, and down
= came, measuring my whole length; Just hive loot
seven, on the floor, TO the no small alarm OF some,
the irepressibe laughter of others of the large and
worshpful company there assembled.
| In falling, | brought down two chairs, which
had seized hold of in order to myself, together
with young and pretty female, who, in all proba-
blity was at that moment about to seat herself but
now, with speed equal to that of her chair, came
rolling on the floor beside ne. Gracious heaven il
| was my Barbara.
terrible clamor arose, and as lay there roared
Justify too for seeing in addition to myself and the
two chairs, lady stretched out the floor, felt
| persuaded that shock of earthquake must have
taken place. To my great relief, soon discovered
that no earthquake had caused this melancholy fall
! but as already narrated, only veal pasty.
| We got up. The cousin treated the whole attain
as an excellent joke. It was very well for him tC
| Joke, but could nave Wept, nay die Win shame
| and vexation. | went to the mantel-p piece without
offering word of apology, but as all were laugh
ing and giggling around, laughed too, and threw
from time to time stolen glances at the of my
misfortune.
At last we took our places at the table. The
cousin was so gallant as TO place me next to Bar
bara had rather have been situated near a vol
cano than at the side of this amiabe and pretty
creature. | felt most extraordinary sensations
while thus in juxtapositiOn with my future bride
OF the assembled guests ventured on 70 take
rapid glance at intervals.
Soup was served round. Barbara red me
some-but how could ] accept it ! herself
was yet unprovided. Compliments we changed
and l already fOrsaw that some new VI woulc
arise ont of these abooinable civilities Hence
became more and more pressing, and looking i'm
ploringly into the face Of my charmer, forgot thu
Ilate altogether The consequence was, that
poured the burning soup into Barbara's lap ant
over her clothes, and in endeavoring hastily e
,x,itbJrav II sent the remainder into nv own lap