Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1854-01-13
ONE very awkward scenes must have oc-

Cured. hs -5n 5il in 4s s1a3 <
sWe don't let any one pass our table,
said a lovely little creature, with blue eyes
and light flowing hair, stepping right in
front Of our hero and his lady, pointing at
the same time to q table, behind which
stood, all expectant, two others, who with
the first might not inaptly have been termed
sThe Graces @
The light hand on his arm, and the evil
dent inclination Of his companion to pause,
could not be resisted. Irwin was compelled,
by gentle restraint, to stand the attractions
of another table at tho fair, aided and abet-
ted by the three lovely sisters, for so they
appeared to be, and the too apparent desire
of the gentle maiden at his side to possess
something. e ,t,.. .g..l.s sa.ze..
SITS all charity, you know remarked one
of the sisters, looking the young man in the
face with a winning smile.
'Charity covers multitude of sins,' said
the second. a.,,.. B .as....
sThis beautiful annual added the third,
presenting one of the gift books of the sea-
son, SIS one of the sweetest presents to a
lady. II Is only three dollars and half.
You will take it of course, she continued,
handing it to his companion, who took it in
the most natural 'of course way in the
world. HHg @
Another FIVE dollar note came out from
its hiding place, and changed owners.
'We never give change at our table, said
one of the good humorei damsels, just re-
realing glimpse or two of her sparkling
ivory, ns her rosy lips gently parted in one
of the quictest smiles imaginable. sHere
is a beautiful pin cushion, at just one dol
lar ! and the little velvet box on which
were painted some flowers was handed over,
and as quickly appropriated by Irvin's very
particular friend.
With ornamental box, annual and PIN
cushion, Irwin and Emma Grant we might
as well tell her name at once. for it's awk-
ward telling about third persons, unless
names are included : took diagonal sweep
across the room. In this instance, justice
compclls me to say, the mind that directed
the movement, was Twins. Had Emma
been left free to have indicated the way in
which to walk, the table that could have
been reached in the quickest time, and by
the shortest movement through space,
would have certainly been next approached.
But in fair, it is useless to try to get
out of the way of temptation. Some reso-
lutte ones do promenade backward and for
ward through the center OF the room, look.
ing out, but still keeping at a respectful
distance but, sooner or later, they feel the
current that sets irresistibly upon the
breakers and, before conscious of danger,
are among them. The thought of his van
ishcd ten dollars, which had taken their de-
parture never to return, kept Irwin, spite of
the many gentle side indications of Emma,
resolutely equi-distant from the tables.
But mortal man cannot long resist tempta-
tion when lingering near it. Our hero was
just bidding good night to his economical
ideas, when Emma was suddenly called by
lady attending on table near which they
were passing.
'Why, how do you do, Emma? I've
been looking about for you all the evening,
she said, as they drew up. Sand how are
you tonight, Mr.. Irwin p she continued
with animation. Sim glad to see you.
You've been buying, see. Well, that's
clever. But am not going to let you 60
away without helping me little. declare,
| have not sold anything at all worth talking
about
'Ithink have done pretty well, Miss Sa-
rah,' Irwin ventured to say, glancing signif-
icantly at his purchases.
"You don't call that pretty well, | hope
Why that's nothing urged Miss Sarah.
Remember the cause. Every dollar spent
here, you know, is laid up in the treasury
of heaven
'l'm not quite SO sure of that replied Ir-
vim, laughing.
. 80, Mr.. irwin, how do you do 2 exclaimed
suddenly young lady attending at the next
table, Who just at that moment perceived
him. 'i've been trying to fnd a man gallant
enough to buy me this beautiful pair of COLI
ored cologne bottles, and, as live, have
been refused by no less than three! But
Pm determined that | will not let you off
so you might just as well do the fair thing
at once. Here they are now amt they
beauties ? and she lifted two really pretty
cut glass bottles from Miss Sarah's table.
Well, what's the price of them?' asked
Irwin. with forced composure.
sOnly two and a half, said Miss Sarah.
The hand that drew out the pocket book,
this time, did its Office rather more dell5
erately than usual. Another note, with
" on it, was passed over.
sWe don't give change here,' said Miss
Sarah. s,r
But that's hardly fair Irwin found the
resolution to say.
'It's the rule of the fair, and dare not
break it. Is it not, Nancy?' appealing to
another young lady.
90 yes said Nancy; Eve all agreed to
that before we opened.'
well, what else viii you have2' Miss Sa-
rah went on. sl've got some lovely things
on my table. All, this is the very article
that yoa want, Emma
Miss Sarah here picked up card case,
beautifully enamellsd, and handed it to
Emma.