Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-06-05

e, presently Hcy ali tureos IN punch
+ came smiling and slipping over to m
!. in high glee, my partner both time
II smiling most alluringly at mo as sh,
: came up. II suddenly occurred to m,
= now that, as she was there a prisoner
y the gist of the figure was to make full
Q grab for her as she neared me, an;
Q wrest her from captivity. according,
g prepared to do as much, when, to my
K utter CONSERVATION, the fiddler sung out
: @forpdrd Onel" Several times, during
the progress of the dance, I thought
! had detected half smile playing ovel
n the mouth of one or two in the cotillion
and now, as stood staring for a mo
ment, not knowing exactly what to dc
, for was the first who had been called or
to go if alone, my suspicious were veri-
fed. This determined me to make 9
venture, and to change their mirth into
envy by display of skill which, fell
] sure, from the specimens of dancing
had witnessed, would properly surprise
: them. So, with nimble skip to the
right, cut the flying pigeon wing at the
height of full half loot from the floor,
and then, bounding over to the left with
a single spring, struck off the double
shuttle at rate which would have dis
tanced the best jig time. | had inten-
ded to go around the whole circle, be-
fore stopping to get my partner, with
my favorite step of hoeing the corn, but
| was suddenly arrested in mid career
in a manner which soon brought the
singing bushes TO my face. These
extra and unexpected capers of mine
for so | learn all genuine dancing is
denominated now a-days) had been too
much even for the amiable and truly
polished company before whom | was
performing; and as | paused in the
double shuttle, to change step. the music
suddenly and sharply ceased, and all
around, fiddles, as well as others, seemed
convulsed with uncomfortable laughter
- in which, despite my modification,
was obliged to join. All passed off
good humoredly. There was nothing
offensive or unbecoming in the mirth,
for, among those who had come in from
the other rooms to look at the dance,
was the grave and dignifed gentleman
in whose Office | was reading, and
whose portly sides were shaking with
laughter at my expense.
This closed my experiments, as you
may well imagine, in the dancing line,
at least among the ellie. / found that
character and reputation in one place
were by no means a sure passport in
another. The skill and agility which
would have set the head of every man
and woman in Blackstoneville all agog
with wonder and envy produced here
the most poignant and Notifying ridi-
cule.
Aeer dancing a hundred different
other figures, pretty much after the
same fashion OF the first, Miss Russell.
who declined all other solicitation, on
purpose to give me the pleasure of wal
ting on her, managed to inform me that
the couples were making way to the sup
per room, and that | must accompany
her. | did not require a second hint, for
by this time, it being full one o'clock
in the morning, my appetite was proper
\ ly whetted, having tasted nothing since
an early breakfast on purpose that |
might enjoy the party supper. Indeed,
had been in despair for an hour or
two, or more, fearing that we were TO
have nothing more substantial than cake
and wine and lemonade, which had been
several times handed round in the
course of the evening, though ] had rel
ished them even not little. But we
had scarcely now cleared the dancing
room before my smell was charmed with
most delicious scents of turkeys. and
salads, and savory old bacon, and a
variety Of other eatsbles, easily distin-
guishable by their fragrant odors. all
which caused my tongue fairly TO swim
inside of the mouth, and created an
eagerness TO press forward which l
could hardly control. So keen had my
long fast made me to take hold, that !
was almost insensibIe to the touch Of
that same sweet arm which still rested
in mine; and although in the crowd the
lovely creature was pressed once or
twice full tilt against me, the cravings
of an empty stomach aided me this time
in resisting the enchantment, and dead
ened every sense save that of the most
longing appetite.
The. sight which greeted my eyes on
entering more than equalled the exer-
lions created by the Iucious heraldry Of
fragrance which had hoated through the
passage. In the midst Of lofty mounds
and pyramids of cakes, were seen large
bowls of saffron-colored custard, with |
snowy flakes floating on top. with whole
hosts OF odorous strawberries scattered
around, and at reguler distances silver
baskets filled with oranges and bananas,
and other fruits; whilst at every pace or
two decanters of sparkling wine sent
forth their delicious flavor. There was
no end TO the plates Of snow-balls, and
hearts, and sweet waters, and candies;
and. thickly interstrewed, there were
tempting piles Of sliced pineapple, fill
ing the whole room with their enticing
fragrance. "JewhilIikinl" thought |,
surveying this bounteous and beautiful
display. s'this is a long irot ahead OF
anything ever seen in BlsckstonevilIe,
and Mrs. Blanche Lyttleton trips up
Ecsy and Patty in short orderl"
,.,ora n