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


that is necessary
Albina is talking quite sensibly,' said
Aunt Quimby to Mrs. Marsden, who came in to
see if her daughter required her assistance in
dressing.
Pho said Mrs. Marsden, think Of III.
eclat of giving a party to Mrs. Washington
Potts, and of having the Montagues among the
guests.
We shall find the advantage Of ii when we
visit the city again.
Albina, said Aunt Quimby, Now we are
about dressing, Just quit a few moments and
help me on with my long stays, and my new
black silk gown, ard let me have the glass
awhile; am going to wear my lace cap with
the white satin ribbon. This dark calico
gown and plain muslin cap won't do at all to
sit here in, before all the ladies that are COM
ing up
'Oh. no matter replied Albina, who was
unwilling TO relinquish the glass or to occupy
any of her time by assisting her amt in dress
ing-which was always tedious and trouble
some business with the old lady--and her moth
er had now gone down TO be ready for the re-
ception of the company, and 10 pay her com
pimcnts to the Mcntagues .Oh no matter
said Albina, your present dress looks perfect
ly well, and the ladies will be too much engaged
with themselves and their own dresses, to re-
mark anything else. No one will observe
whether your gown is calico or silk, or wheth-
er your cap is muslin or lace. Elderly ladies
are always privileged TO wear what is most
convenient to them.
Albina put on the new dress that the mantau-
maker had made for her. When she had tried
it on the preceding evening, Miss Matson de-
clared that g it fitted like wax" She soon
found that it was scarcely possible to get it on
at all, and that one side of the forebosy Was
larger than the other Miss Matson was call
ed up, and by dint of the pulling, stretching
and smoothing, well known to mantau-makers,
and still more by means of her pertinacious as
surance that the dress had no fault whatever,
Albina was obliged to acknowledge that she
could wear it, and the redundancy of the large
side was pinned down and pinned over. In
sticking in her comb she broke it in halves, and
it was long before she could arrange her hair
TO her satisfaction without il. Before she had
completed her toilette, several of the ladies ar
rived and Albina was obliged 10 snatch up her
paraphernalia and make her escape into the
next apartment.
At last she was dressed-she went down
stairs. The company arrived fast, and the par
ty began.
Bromley Cheston had come early TO assist in
doing the honors, and as he led Albina TO
seat, he saw that in spite of her smiles she
looked weary and out of spirits, and he pilied
her. AFTER all, thought he, there is much that
is interesting about Albina Marsden
The party was rey select, consisting of the
elite of the village and its neighborhood but
still, as is often the case, those whose presence
was most desirable had sent excuses, and those
who were not wanted, had taken care to come.
And Miss Boreham-a young lady who having
nothing else to recommend her, had been invi-
ted solely on account of the usual elegance of
her attire, and whose dress was expected 10
add prodigiously 10 the effect Of the rooms
came most unaccountably in an old faded frock
of last years fashion, with her hair quite plain
and tucked behind her ears with two side
combs Could she have had suspicion of the
reason for which she was generally invited, and
have therefore perversely determined on a re-
action!
The Moniagues sat tose ther in corner,
putting up their eye glasses a. every one that
entered tie room, and criticizing the compa-
nv in loud whispers TO each other; poor Mrs.
Marsden endeavoring to catch opportunities
OF paying her court 10 them.
About nine o'clock, appeared an immense
cap Of blonde lace, sauze riband, and flowers
and under the cap was Mrs. Washington
Potts, little thin Iritiing looking woman,
with a whilsh irecked face, small sharp lea-
lures, and flaxen hair. She leaned on the
arm of Mrs. Washington PolIs who was moth
,;ng in company or anywhere else, and she
led by the hand hltle boy in suit Of scar
let, braided and srogged with blues pale
rat looking child, whose name she pronounc
ed Laughy-yet meaning La Faye,ie and
who being the youngest scion Of the house OF
Pots, always went 10 parties with his moth-
er, because he would no, stay at home.
Bromley Cheston, on being introduced TO
Mrs. Washington Potts, was surprised at The
insiguifcance other figure and face. He had
imagined her tall in stature, large in features
loud in voice, and in shori the very counter
part Of Mrs. Montague. He found her, how
ever as he had supposed repete with vanity
pride, ignorance, and folly; TO which she
added a sickening affeclation Of sweetness
and amiablity, and flimsy pretenslon TO ex-
raordinary powers Of conversation founded
or confessed assemblage Of incorrect and su-
perficial ideas, which she misIook for gen.
eral knowledge Of every thing in the world.
Mrs. Potts was delighted with the hand
some face and figure, and the very genee
appearance of the young lieutenant, and she
bestowed upon him large portion Of her
talk.
Il hear, SIR said she, you have been in
the Mediterranean Sea. A sweet pretty
place, is II not 2
Its Shores replied Cbeston, are certainly
very beautiful
Yes, should admire it's ehalky ifs vast