Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-04-07
faces of the family, which told of pleasant

~~~>--~~.az--z..z--.
faces of the family, which told Of pleasant
home
But we are lingering too long in our descrip
ton OF the occupants of the room, and are in
danger of forgetting the subject Of our story.
They were all seated at the table, partaking
of its subtantial food, when Mrs. Lee said
"Addie, have invited our friend, Mr.. Mars
ton, TO call upon us this evening, and--if it is
convenient for him-to spend the night with
us"
II do not think he will be very likely to come
in such storm" was the reply.
Mr.. Elliott who was in here this forenoon,
said that he saw him on the street to-day. |
think you had better have fire kindled in the
parlor, and carry in one or two of these chairs,
for do not believe those are dry"
The fire was burning brightly in the parlor,
which had been duly arranged for the recep-
ton Of the expected beau, for such he was.
Addie was busy in arranging the chairs when
the bell rung, and Mr.. Marston was announced.
She received him politely, placed a chair
for him close to the fire, and seated herself OPP,
poste him at some distance from it.
There was no awkward pause before the con-
versation commenced, bat with perfect ease
and selfpossession she introduced first one top
&c OF interest and then another, until both
seemed enjoying themselves extremely.
But this state Of affairs did not last long.
Soon the gentleman began to look, first aston
ished and then nervous.
The change did not escape the watchful
eyes Of his companion, who, however, appeared
to take no notice of it, but redoubled her efforts
to entertain him.
He seemed restless and uneasy, and it was
evidently an effort for him to sustain the con-
versation.
When Addie drew back from the fire, quietly
saying, as she did so-It is getting rather
warm here" the expression Of anxiety, amount
ing almost to desperation upon his face, nearly
upset her gravity.
The chair in which the unfortunate victim
had seated himself was plain, wooden arm
chair. Upon seating himself, he had seated his
arms upon those of the chair, which had been
newly vanished, and in short time they were,
by the varnish, firmly attached to it.
The poor fellow soon began to suffer from
heat, large drops of perspiration stood upon his
face and damped his hair, but he was unable
to disengage his hands to obtain pocket hand
kerchief with which to wipe it away.
For some time he sat, endeavoring while
answering the witty sallies of his fair tormen
tor, to disengage his arms from their confne
ment but all in vain.
At last, flesh and blood could bear it no
longer. With desperate spring he rose to his
feet, and the chair-rose with him.
most ridiculous spectacle did our hero
present, as for moment he stood Mortified at
this unexpected result of his attempts at self
liberation, and then sunk back overwhelmed
with confusion.
The scene was too much for Adde'S dignity
nf off ito oha
burst into clear, ringing laugh, in which Mr.
Marston tried to join. Peal after peal arose,
until the tears stood in her eyes, and she was
obliged to stop from sheer exhaustion.
When she had recovered herself she apollo
gized to her guest for having laughed at his
misfortune, and offered to assist him in freeing
himself from durance vile"
AS might be supposed, this was easier said
than done; the task was, however, finally &C
complished, but very much at the expense of
his new broadcloth coat, etc.
When he was at last free, he took up his hat
TO depart, for nothing had as yet been said
about his spending the night at Mr.. Lees, and
indeed, after the adventure of the evening, he
had but little inclination to remain longer.
His young hostess accompanied him to the
door, apologizing courteously for the accident,
and promising to be silent, as it might cause
some unpleasant remarks.
However, before week it "leaked out"
and Charles Marston was for long time ridi.
culed and quizzed by his acquaintance on ac-
count of the affinity of vanished chairs for
broadcloth.
He never made any farther attempt to secure
Addie Merrill for himself She is now a digni.
fed, matronly woman, and the wife of man
who holds an important Office under govern
ment.