The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-15
PRICE ONE on Ay
repressibIe laughtsr Of Others, Of fIIs Iarce ana
worshipful company there assembled.


In falling broke down two chairs, whieh
had seized hold Of in order TO save myself.
together with a young and pretty female who
IN all probability was at that moment aDouf 10
seat herself, tuf with speed equal 10 thar Of
her chair, came rolling on the hoor beside nae.
Gracious heavens lit was Barbara.
terrible clemor arose, and as lay there
1 roared Justify too, seeing in addition to my
self and the rwo chairs Q lady stretched out 0u
the door, felt persuaded that q shock OF earth
quake must have taken place. To my great
relief soon discovered that no earthquake
mad caused this melancholy fall, but as already
narrated, only veal pastry.
we got up. The cousin treated the whele
anair as an excellent joke; but could have
~ept, nay, died, with shame and yexarion.
"enI 20 the mantel.piece without one word Of
apology, but as all were laughing and gieslipx
around, laughed too, and threw from time 4,
tune. a -.
AZ last we took oar places at the table.
The cousin was so gallant as to place ma
next to Barbara. l had rather have he an -
.tuated near volcano then ut the side ~ ,he
aHiable and pretty creature. felt most exfr.-
ordinary sensations while thus in juxtaposi-
ton with my future bride. OF The assembled
guests ventured only to take rapid glance
at intervals.
Soup was served round. Barbara offered
me some-but how could L accept itl She
herself was yet unproyided. Complimenss
were exchanged, and already foresaw that
some new evil would arise out Of these ci-
vilties. Hence | became more and more
pressing, and looking imploringiy into the
face OF my charmer forgot the plate altogether.
The consequence was that poured the bur
ming soup into Barbara's lap and over her
clothes, and in endeavoring hastily to with
draw il sent the remainder into my own Ian,
deluging alike my garments and my finger
napkin. II was fraternal division. IremeIn-
Der all as though il was bat yesterday. il was
crab soup.
The charming Barbara left the table. I
stammered cut sundry apologies. The guests
endeavoted to console me, and fresh plate
was handed 10 me. Meanwhile my panta-
looms were streaming from an inundaiion.--
Barbary was obliged TO change her dress---
She soon returned, and endeavored again
and again to excuse myself as we'll as !
could.
On perceiving that she smiled graciousIy, 1
felt somewhat treasured, and began to brush
the cold perspiration from my face, of course
not with my hand, but with my pocket kerr
chief
Alas, amidst the accumulated disasters that
had since occurred had clean forgotten the
ink business. In drying off the persprationI
rubbed in tie ink so thoroughly, that on re-
placing the handkerchief in my pocket, tho
whole company were amazed to find me com
verted into perfect blackamoor.
Titiering and roars Of laughter succeeded.
Politeness compelled me TO join in the laugh,
and did SO heartily, for some time without
knowing why or wherefore until found that
| some of the ladies were becoming alarmed at
the blackness of my visage, and now, for the
| FIST time, perceived that my handkerchief
| had brought me into fresh scrape, and what
an appearance ! must present.
In alarm arose precipitately frem the table,
and commenced retreat towards the kitchen
| in order TO wash myself, and in SO doing, for
| had inadvertently buttoncd cerner Of the
table napkin to my waisicoat, down came
plates, and dishes, boiled and roast meats, salad
| spinach. bottles and salt cellars, flesh and
| fowl, knives and forks, sp0ons and glasses.--
All rushed after me within fearful crashing
and clatter. The guests, onwilnessing all the
good things Withdrawn, and. many delicacies
on which they set their hearts, come in full
| career after me- sat open-mouihed and riseied
| to the spot with astonishment. ~
AT first, on seeing the plates and dishes
closely following on my heels, | could aftri-
butte the freak only 10 witchcraft; bur the
cousin springiBg with both feet on to il, 10.
getber with the attaching button, away with
jerk. and brought me 10 sense OF my isfua-
ton.
/ sought as fast as my legs could carry me
mot the ketchen-but the stairs, few across
the street, and did not half tiIII reached my
own chamber. For four long weeks not .
soul did admit to my presence, and from that
day never thought Of matrimony without
sensation OF giddiness, and as to large parties
the bare idea brings fit oil ague.
! now laugh at my helplessness. But my
hisisry may serve TO many, NOT indeed for an
example, but for warning and instruction.