Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-01-08


pened to be standing took their seats. All the
chairs on the side of the room were filled in a
moment with madens as demure for the time
being. as the most precise could desire. Sud-
denly there was loud stamping on the door
step, very energetic mode of divesting ones
boots of snow or dust, preparatory to an en-
trance. The stamping and faint knock which
succeeded, were followed within by most pro-
found silence, which was broken only by the
suspirations of one whose ideal beauty of form
was manifestly either the hour-glass or the
wasp. Keziah opened the door, and the young
gentlemen found themselves in full view of an
unbroken line of silent beauty, in the face of
which they were expected to advance. They
faltered-each pressed his neighbor to go for
ward. No little confusion was apparent.
Among other truths then and there illustrated,
was the important one that geometry cannot
claim monopoly of angles. After some delay,
an entrance was effected. The chairs opposite
the girls were secured. The door was left
open. No one seemed disposed to risk the loss
of his post by rising TO close it. Some of the
ladies wore short sleeves, that is, had bare arms
the monumental alabaster smoothness of
which was seriously affected by The ingress of
the cold evening air. A daring fellow at length
arose and closed the door.
Along the lines thus formed there was
silence as deep and almost as expressive as
that which sometimes precedes a battle
After while there were some whisperings
on the part Of the girls, and a suppressed
gisgle; but the young men preserved pro-
found silence and a most praiseworthy grav-
Ity. The seats seemed somewhat harder
than those 10 which they had been accustom-
ed; and it was pretty plain that most Of
them wished they had left their hands al
home
A rap, as with walkin e-stick was heard
al the door, That is Mr.. Foster, Whisper
ed one. Miss Becky blushed ct the sound
either of the knock or the name. Keziah op-
ened the door, aud Mr.. Benz. F. Guile sto od
before her dressed in his best. He walked
in with as much dignity as if he had come
from Californ ia instead of the chamber over
the kitchen. He sat down, and, for mo-
ment initiated the gravity of his peers. He
then turned to the most solemn one present,
and asked him what was the state of the
moonshine. No answer was given, but the
question greatly hghtened the pressure Of
the conslraint under which all present la
bored. Conversation began, at first, in
deed, in whispers, but soon several spoke out
loud.
/ was under the impression said Mr..
Guile, that this was to he an Apple Bee,
but don't see the apples
Bring them on said one of the boldest,
'let us have something TO do
Ben and Keziah then brought corn bas.
ket full of apples, which were placed OH the
table. tin pan was given to each damse.
The young men then distributed the apples
and the work OF pairing began. AS there
were no pans for the gentlemen, it was nee
essary for each one 10 sit beside indy, aud
drop his parings into the pan, which held
place of greater or less security on her lap.
er devised.
Mr.. Gulic had managed to procure seat
beside Miss Rebecca Sabna Hall, and was
pairing with. great skill and rapipity, letting
the parings fall into the pan which was in or
rather on the fair ones lap. That of course,
rendered it necessary that he should sit very
near to her.
when are Mr.. Fosters folks coming
home!' said Becky.
Cant say was Benjamin's laconic reply.
Do they trade great deal at their store!'
Cant say.'
L should not think it would do TO shut up
the store.'
Mr.. Benjamin Guile did not see fit to inti-
mate whether he did or did not agree with her
in opinion. He saw that her mind was run
ming on Mr.. Foster, the popular clerk that
she was specializing on the probabilities Of his
coming to the Bee.
How thick you pare your apples!' ex-
claimed Becky. 'Keziah, Mr.. Guile is pairing
ing yonr apples all away
Keziah was too much occupied with her
partner TO heed the remark.
Get somebody to pare with you who car
suit you BETTER said Ben, in low voice. He
then rose and left the room under pretence
of procuring fresh supply of apples. He
walked forth and took survey Of the stars,
though not usually given to astronomical spec
ulatons. That girl said he 10 himself con-
fdentially, that girl'-we do not quote his
words accurately, for we wish TO make them
a little more complimentary to the lady than
they really were-'wants TO know why that
soft-handed and soft-headed clerk isn't here
She may have him, and see if tape and mo-
lasses will keep her in as good case as the
northern farm would
The northern farm was expected to come
into Mr.. Benjamin F. Gulic's possession in the
spring. Like sensible man, he was desirous
of finding some one whom it might be made
over to. with him jointly.
I'll let her alone,' said Benjamin to him
self; and fearing lest his ear should fail to
catch the remark, he repeated it several times
with great distinctness. Having thus finished
his communications to himself, he seized
basket Of apples, and returned to the scene Of
operations. In placing it on the table. which