Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-02-27

chief. While bending over the centre table
and marking with rose leaves some of the most
beautiful of Mrs. Hemans' poems, and opening
two or three souvenirs at their finest plates, a
knock was heard at the door, which proved TO
be the baker with the second plum cake. it
having been consigned to his oven. Albina
desired him to bring it to her, and putting it
on the silver waiter, she determined 10 divide
1t herself into slices, being afraid to trust that
business TO any one else, lest it should be awk-
wardly cut or broken 10 pieces, ii being quite
waIm.
The baker went out leaving the front door
open, and Albina, intent on her task, cutting
the cake, did not look up till she heard tie
sound of footsteps in the parlor, and then what
was her dlsmay on perceiving Mr.. and Mrs.
Montague and their daughter.
Alblna's first impulse was to run away. but
she saw that it was now too late; and pale
with confusion and vexation, she tried to sum-
mon sufficient selfcommand to enable her 70
pass OIL this contretcms with something like ad-
| dress.
1t was not yet dusk, the sun being scarcely
down, and of all the persons invited 10 the par.
ty, 1t was natural 10 suppose that the English
family would have come the latest.
Mr. Montague was a long-bodied. short
legged man, with round gray eyes that looked
as II they had been put on the outside Of his
face, the sockets having no apparent concavity :;
sort OF eye that is rarely seen in an Ameri-
can lie had long nose, and a large heavy
mouth, with projecting under teeth, and alto
gether an unusual quantity of face, which was
bordered round with whiskers that begun at
his eyes and met under his chin, and reserntIcd
IN texture the course wiry fur of black bear
lie Kept his hat under his arm, and his whole
dress seemed modelled from one of the carri-
cature prints Of a London dandy.
Mrs. Montague, evidently some years old
er than her husband) was a gigantic woman,
with features that looked as if seen through
magnliying glass. She had heavy piles of
yelowish curls, and crimson velvet tocque
Her daughter was a tall hard-faced girl of sew
enteen, meant for child by her parents, but
not meaning herself as such. She was drest
In a white muslin frock and trowsers. and had
a mass of black hair curling on her neck and
shoulders
They all fixed their large eyes directly upon
her, and it was no wonder that Abna uuailed
beneath their glance, or rather their stare, par
ticularly when Mrs. Montague surveyed her
through her eye glass. Mr.. Montague spoke
first. Your note did not specify the hour
Observation-Disclosures said he, and as YOU
Americans are early people, we thought we
were only complying with the simplicity of re-
publican manners by coming before dark. We
suppose that in general you adhere to the prim-
tive maxim of early to bed and early TO rise. :
| forget the remainder of the rhyme, but you
know it undoubtedly
Albina, at that moment wished for the pres
ence of Bromley Cheston. She saw from the
significant looks that passed between the Mon
tagues, that the unreasonable earliness of this
visit did not arise from their ignorance of the
customs of American society, but from premed-
| itated impertinence. And she regretted still
more having invited them, when Mr. Mon
tague with impudent familiarity walked up to
the cake-which she had cut into slices with
out altering its form-and took one of them out.
Miss Martini said he, your cake looks so
inviting that cannot refrain from helping my
selfto piece. Mrs. Mantague, give me leave
10 present one TO you. Miss Montague, will
you try slce.'
They sat down on the sofa, each with a
piece of cake, and Albina saw that they could
scarcely refrain from laughing openly, not on
ly at her dishabile, but at her disconnected
countenance.
Just at this moment Drusa appeared at the
door, and called ont, Miss Albina, the pre-
served sqninces are all working. Missus found
'em when she opened the jar. Albina
could hear no more, but hastily dariing out of
the room, she ran up stairs, almost crying with
veXation.
Old Mrs Quimby was loud in her invec-
tives against Mr.. Montague for spelling the
symmetry of the cake, and helping himself and
his family 50 unceremoniously. You may
rely upon it, said she, a man that will do
snch a thing in strange house, is no gentle
man.
'On the contrary observed Mrs. Marsden,
I have no doubt that in Enoland these free
and easy proceedings are high ton. Albina
have you not read some such things in Vivian
Greyr
Il do not believe, said Mrs Quimby, that
if this Englishman was in his own country, he
would dare to 60 and take other peoples cake
without leave or license. But he thinks any
sort of behavior good enough for the Yankees,
as they call US
i care not for The cake, said Albina, al
though the pieces must now be put into bas-
keis only think of the Montagues walking
in without knocking, and catching me in COM
plete dishabille, after had kept poor Bromley
Ches.on waiting half an hour this morning
rather than he should see me In my pink ging
ham gown and with my hair in pins
AS sure as sixpence, remarked Mrs. Quinn
by, this last shame has come upon YOU as
punishment for your pride to your own cous-
in
Mrs. Marsdea having gone into the adjoin-
inc room TO dress, Albina remained in this,