The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1855-05-17

divine, and coutented myself with an in i
ward chuckle.
But by-and-by things went on more
smoothly, and we all got merry over
the dessert | assure you, ministers can
enjoy themselves with jokes and gibes as
we'll as the rest of US; and why, pray,
should they not , One after another
told some amusing anecdote, until the
smooth, sleek visages fairly shone with
good humor, | forgot my awkwardness
my cousin--Miss Harriet-and setting
down my glass, began with comic air /:
"Once upon time there was an old
farmer lived away out in the woods in
old Yarmouth State"
My strong nasal accent Immediately
attracted attention. Instantly there
was silence, every eye was fixed. upon
me with wondering, yet respectful
attention. ,.. .,.
"Ahem ah-ahem !" said my cousin,
vehemently, turning purple to his hair,
and fixing on me his handsome eyes.
, only needed that glance to confirm my
wavering resolution; if had felt fear
: full, all traces of timidty were banished
, now ; and in the midst of expressive
t smiles and some little tittering, pushed
, on with my story. 1t worked like magic.
Never had I spoken before such an
e audience. Every little while | could
, see by the turn of his head and certain
$ little movements, that my cousin was
u apologizipg for me to Miss Harriet, and
= he could not seem to understand it, when
e at the conclusion, a universal roar went
round the table, almost loud enough to
drown the thunder of Niagara Falls.
Again and again the mirth broke forth,
, and was besieged for more; and when
we arose from the table | was the lion
of the evening, and my "cousin from
the country" forgotten tetotally.
was not surprised at that, but was
surprised at the very decided marks of
favor shown me by Miss Harriet. The
beautiful girl sat by me and seemed to
listen with interest to whatever [ said
Poor Denuis the tables were turned,
and | even believe he was jealous of his
" cousin from the country"
Invitations poured in upon me after
that eventful day. l became more
fastidious in the article of dress, and
even ventured to make calls for myself.
The circle ofmy acquaintance enlarged
the handsome minister no longer cut me
in public, but walked boldly by my side
up the church aisle. / spent more time
at my toilet than formerly patronized
the barber (; | practised my old fashioned
songs; l sung for the ladies'; in fact, l !
was popular.
! Miss Harriet Newland, the young
lady had mentioned before, had been
for two seasons the reigning belle. She
was not wealthy, but the heir expectant
of good property. She was girl of
decided talent, and no doubt intended to
marry we'll. My cousin, 1 saw, was most
assidously paying his addresses to her
He confded occasionally in me, and
always spoke Of her with transport. At
length things began to change. He
grew silent and moody, and seldom men
toned her name. saw her frequently
and had ] been vain, tho light that
sparkled in her eyes, the deep glow of
her beautiful cheeks, would have led me
to suspect my presence called forth the
bright sparkle and the modest blush.
like the omnibus for one reason. 1t
gives fine opportunity for the study of
human nature. One day l determin-
ed on taking the tour of the fashionable
thoroughfare, and I accordingly hailed
the first 'buss, a gaudy concern, and we
commenced our slow journey. What a
multitude were out that day White
hats and blue bats, with bluer eyes be-
meath them flying feathers and dancing
ribbons and tho mingled colors of soft
and glossy silks, seemed jumbled to-
gether through the spaces between in
tcrvening vehicles, rich variety of
costly goods.
Suddenly, without a moments warn
ing, came down the rain, and such a
rain Such spripging to and fro such
lodging into shopdoors and under shades
such scampering for omnibuses In less