The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-05-11


to the old lady.
Time goes as fast at N as any
where else, and money a little faster,
Mr.. Hall thought. After Miss Cornelia
had "chased the glowing hours with
flying feet" for three weeks, her father
came to the conclusion that it was only
at home that she could really catch
them. She coaxed and pouted, but all
to no avail, SO she told her beaux that
they were going home to prepare for a
trip to Niagara. She bade farewell
to Mr. Armstrong with an elegantly
worded invitation to call upon her in
New York, gave him her address, and
was gone.
The Halls returned to Twenty first
street, shut up the front Of the house
and lived in the back--the ladies steal
ing out of the basement door in thick,
green wells, to take walk before nine
o'clock, for they would not for anything
have had it known that they were at
home at this questionable season, when
all the world and his wife were out OF
town.
One morning in November, soon after
the brown Holland had disappeared from
the parlor, and the rust from the door
plate. Miss Cornelia was lounging in a
rocking chair with novel, when a pull
at the bell, easily recognized as giver
by tightly gloved hand, was followed
by the advent of a card-Mr. Frederic
Armstrong. The waiter was dispatched
to shut the parler doors, so that Miss
Cornelia could get up stairs to dress, and
then Mr.. Armstrons was received with
a sliding courtesy of the newest mode
Cornelia thought him handsomer than
ever, and they were soon deep in the
"reminiscences Of n. Precisely al
the right time Mrs. Hall glided in, all
smiles and Turc-satin.
"Was Mr.. Armstrong making long
visit in town 20
cit is uncertain, madam" replied
that gentleman, if 1 consulted my
wishes only" with look at Miss Cor.
nclia, 81 should have no difficulty ir
deciding"
After ten or fifteen minutes of fash,
ionable dialogue, Mr.. A. drew on hi
sulphur gloves, and said, "Mrs. Hall
| believe we are to have Puritani at thc
opera tomorrow night. May l not have
the pleasure of accompanying yoursel
f and daughter thereI"
: Mrs; Hall bowed assent in the mos
, approved manner, and the door closet
behind Mr.. Armstrong and his patchouli
"My DEAR" said Mrs. Hall to he
l daughter, the next evening "get you
S work or a book. Don't let it seem Il
e Mr.. Armstrong as if you were sitting
r waiting for him. 1t looks better to b
taken by surprise little"
e Miss Cornelia had just time to tax
= up her crochetwork, when the compoun
o of white cravat and black mouStache wa
y ushered into the room. Did he see To
It rocking chair still moving from which sh
o had sprung to throw herself in grace
it full attitude on the sofa 7"
: Mrs Hall was the paragon of chaperon:
# No one ever suspected how much of th
It success of Cornelia's firtations was OWN
n to her mothers tact. She was never i
e the way, and pcver out of the way whe
y her presence was desirable. She kne'
II how apt people are to value any one O
, they see others value them, and sh
e often spoke of her daughter highly an
d affectionately. She sat that evening
If the opera box, appearing at all necessar
d times completely absorbed in the music
IS never interrupting whispered CONVEX
}. sation, and appealing to her daughte
d with " Cornelia, my love, see here
!, moment" whenever there appeared
IT be an embarrassing pause.
II The curtain fell at last, and Nil
q Cornclia, all in q Autter of gratife
j. vanity, consigned her pearl-mounte
10 lorgnettee to her companion, and takiu
&c bis arm, returned the bows Of her az
1t qnaintance very condescendingly. M
le Armstrong soon became Cornelia's cor
ia slant attendant at all public places, q,
le ompanied her in her walks, carried h,
o, praycr-book 10 church for her, v;