New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-03-23
DAILY CRESCENT
Translated from Heinrich u
M AK STOLP RIAU.
A Tale Of Bashfulness.

II rae Ct Bdshtntness.
There is q certain misfortune in the world
not usually enumerated in the list of common
misfortunes, but which, nevertheless, ought to
be. | afford living illustration of my asser-
ton. ...-..
My father, God rest his soul, sent me dill
gently to school /; there gained some knowledge
although our city schools at that period were
none Of the best 4
Every one said: Max has talent, but he is
shy and awkward, can not adapt himself to the
ways Of the world, is unacquainted with the
usages of society, and never knows what to dc
with his hands and feet otherwise he is a good
and clever fellow enough.
Such was the general opinion of me. Reader
cation was defective. Diligent at school and in
| the workshop; l was uncleanly and negligent
OF my attire was civil, obliging, and honest
but bashful withal, so that ran off when un-
known persons approached my eyes never
knew where to look for resting place when
addressed by stranger, and if called on to
meet lady with civility and politeness, be-
came rooted to the spot, speechless and stiff as
a ramrod.
they are called, are concerns no less pertaining
to ilfes comfort, than bread and potatoes or a
glass Of wine
| Many young gentlemen, as / have often OBJ
served, are greatly wanting in these respects
Many one in going into society is sadly at a
loss how to dispose of his extremities and would,
| one can easily perceive, have much rather left
them at home. Many such an unfortunate
knows not where to quarter his hands, thrustine
them at one moment into his, waist-coat, at an
other into his breeches pockets, then in despair
raising the one the other to his occiput, there
to scratch by way of variety
Among other ill luck entailed by my awk-
wardness, may bereckoned that of being still
bachelor, of having reached my fty-second
year without being blessed with wife.
NO sooner was my old Aunt dead and her
sole heir, thereby rendered comparatively aflu-
ent, than |, then in my thirtieth year. was lead
to seek the hand of young lady. who. to other
qualifications, added beauty, virtue, ama bility,
and wealth besides.
i was pleased with pretty Barbara matters
were quickly arranged, and nothing remained
but to cultivate the acquaintance. l was ac-
cordingly to meet her at the House of her cousin,
and an invitation to dine was forwarded to me-
VI large parties had a perfect horror, my
education made me shy and timid but then
what will not a man do to secure the favor of
pretty Barbara So / put on my best Sunday
SUIT, white silk stockings, bran new hair-bag
and apple-green coat with large pearl buttons
In a word, made myself as smart as a BRIDE
groom.
On reaching the door Of the cousins house.
however, my heart began to thump against my
ribs, as though had smithy within my breast
+" II could only feel assured there will not be
party, though would to Heaven it was over"
Fortunately found the cousin alone making
up an account in his study. 's You are some
what late, friend Stolpriau,'' said he. | made
twenty inclinations right and left, and laughed
in perfect agony to look agreeable, for the fear
ofmeeting large party engrossed every thought
The cousin having finished, looked around for
some sand. Anxious to be of service, rushed
forward, seized as i'll luck would have it, the
inkstand instead of the sand box, and poured n
whole stream of the best writing fluid over the
neatly kept ledger. 1 thought should imme-
diately faint from sheer fright, and in my con-
| fusion hurriedly drew forth my snow-white
handkerchief to wipe it up
With an exclamation of 90 What on earth are
you doing there, friend Stolpriau - my enter
tainer smilingly interposed, and pushing me and
| my black and white kerchief gently aside,
quickly put things to rights, then led .the way
| to the apartment where the company were as
sembled. followed, but with troubled spirit,
and on looking down was Mortified to observe an
stocking. Help me, Heavens / mentally
groaned, 60 what will the company think! !'
The room door is opened. 1,awkward, block
headed BOBBY that l was, thinking to show my
self light and graceful as well as clever and
gallant, sprang forward, bowing right and left
scraping first with one foot, then with the other
in all directions, and perceiving a female domes-
tic Just before, who was in the act of dishing uI
a pie, dashing my head with such force into her
back as to send the pie flying out of the dish Oh
the toor. and so with compliments, and ducking
and bowing blindly, advanced. felt as though
| were in the battle, and about to rush on the
enemy's guns.
What civil things we're said on the part of the
company | know not; as yet had not the cour-
age to look up, but continued like one possessed
bowlng and scraping, and calculating ''you1
humble servant" in all directions, until cut
short by a fresh mishap
had in fact reached the pie, which still lay
there, for the servant had not sufficiently recov-
cred from her fright and loss of breath, and
stood staring at the master piece of cooking
dashed to pieces on the floor, without an effort
to remove it.
III at once, while engaged in making fresh
inclination, my unfortunate left foot wandered
into the pastry. | saw nothing, for all had be-
come dark before my eyes. Disgracefully, but
naturally enough, my foot slid from under me
lost, and down | came, measuring my whole
length, just five feet seven, on the floor, to the
no small alarm of some, the irrepressible laugh
ter Of others, Of the large and Worshipful COM
pany there assembled.
In falling broke down two chairs, which
had seized hold Of in order to save myself, to-
gethcr with young and pretty female who in
all probability was at that moment about to
seat herself, but with speed equal to that Of
her chair, came rolling on the floor beside me
Gracious heavens it was Barbara.
A terrible clamor arose, and as lay there
roared Justify too, seeing in addition to myself
and the two chairs lady stretched out on the
tioor, feltpersuaded 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 pastry.
We got up. The cousin treated the whole
affair as an excellent joke; but l could have
wept. nay, died, with shame and vexation.
Went to the mantel-piece without one word of
apology, but as all were laughing and giggling
around, l laughed too, and threw from time to
time stolen glances at the cause Of my misfor-
tune.
At last we took our places at the table.
The Cousin was so gallant as to place me mex t
to Barbara l had rather have been situated
near a volcano than at the side Of the smlaole
and pretty creature. l felt most extraordinary
sensations while thus in ju1taposision with my
future bride Of the assembled guests ven
| tured only to take rapid glance at intervals. IN
Soup was served round Barbara offered me
sor,o-hut how onuld | accept it She herself