The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-07-12

Il! why, Ellen, you hho"
THAT YOU have never been at party
before, | suppose! So much the more
reason why you should @gocbnow. Here
you are eighteen, and half t6augh college.
It's high time to make beginning.
i don't know what under heaven l
should do there .
What all other young men do-talk to
the ladies'
Sim afraid couldn't do much in that
way. To tell the truth, | haven't small
talk enough for a party
Vastly omplimentary. But suppose
you pull down your great and towering
intellect little, and condescend to lay a
side your books for one night and mingle
with us ordinary mortals on footing of
equality. 1t won't do you any serious in
Jury
But, Ellen, have no invitation
because Mrs. Brown did not know you
were here. Ifshe had heard of your arri-
val in town, she would most certainly have
sent you one. Don't you remember she
gave you general invitation last winter?
| was not altogether convinced by this
logic, but my cousin was determined to
take no excuse. Finding escaped impos-
sibie, resigned myself to my fate, and
went to Stewards for pair of kid gloves.
Parties and balls have always been my
especial detestation. l have often Won
dered why they were invented, and after
many profound cogitations on the subject
could only find these two reasons-frst
to enable ladies and gentleman of fashion
to kill time; and secondly, to afford sort
of market where young women may be
shown off to the best advantage, and young
men most easily entangled in the snares of
Cupid and Hymen. Now touching the
first of these motives, | never find the
hours hang heavy on my hands. frs
Tonga Uifa breUis. Art is long and life
is short, or as translated by Longfellow,
life is long and life is fleeting, and l have
always quite as much to do as can man
age. With respect to the second, have
never been exactly matrimonially inclined,
and least of all just now, when it requires
all my energies to support my single self.
Heaven knows what | should do with
wife.
The eventful hour of my first appear
ance drew nigh. l arrayed myself in full
suit, with pumps and silk stockings. |
abominate pumps-they seem to have been
invented on purpose to cripple the wear
ers. But behold US, myself and cousin,
entering Mrs. Browns well filled parlor!
| heartily wished myself at home again,
for in spite of myself | felt sort of all
overishness, which, as the novel writers
say, can be more easily imagined than de-
scribed.
We had exchanged the usual civilties
with our hostess, my cousin was surround
ed by group of beauX, and [ stood still
without the slightest expectation of what
was to follow, until Mrs. Brown introdu-
ced me to young gentleman-who bow
ed shook hands after the most approved
fashion,
DO you dance, Howard!'
Yes, that isl believe know how.
'Let me have the pleasure of introdu-
cling you to young lady, quoth he, lead
ing me in front of a Miss apparently some
fifteen years old.
Miss Morrison, allow me to have the
pleasure of introducing you to Mr.. How
ard
Good evening, Miss Morrison,' said l.
executing a bow with all the grace | could
muster up. Off shot my evil genius, leav-
ing me subcultro.
Very warm evening, Miss Morrison.
Miss Morrison replied in the affirma-
| tive.
'Butitwas warmer yesterday continued
L, vigorousl y following up my first move.
ment.
The lady assented to this proposition
likewise. There was another long pause
began to feel fidgety. My ears, which
were growing red, were stunned by the
Incessant clatter Of tongues everywhere a
round me. The more | desired to say
something, the more didn't know wha
to say. AT last an idea flashed across my
mind, and was instantly pressed into ser
vice.
'Have you seen the exhibition of the
National Academy, Miss Morrison!
mo sir, L have not!
This was complete damper. | wa:
utterly nonplussed. Happily at this mo-
ment was heard the call, gentlemen, take
your partners for cotillion.
L led Miss Morrison to her place, irving
to recollect as much as could of the steps
which had learned three years ago from
our colored servants.
Juggle, juggle, juggle, went the Piano
forward two,' quoth the Nj. G.. pro
tenn. and off went the dancers. [ believe
| trod on my partners toes occasionally
and once or twice came very near run
ming over small young lady who was
my Wis Wis. But upon the whole, things
went off as well as could ..be expected.
Any thing for change, as the vagabond
L.. l. Al