The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-30

the ballroom heroes stared when they saw Rosa
accept poor Mannersted's hand. They never ex-
pected that he would have proved himself their
rival. Frank returned their mock politeness, as
they made way for him, with proud glance.
His hand trembled when he clasped Rosa's
sylph-like waist; yet his bearing was so grace
full, and apparently so unconstrained, that none
observed his embarrassment, save Rosa. During
a pause in the dance, the young man cast an
almost defiant glance around the room, to learn
whether any lip had curled itself into a con-
temptuous smile. But Frank was near-sighted,
and ne could not determine this point, neither
could he overhear the compassionate remarks
| that passed around the various groups.
80, look there is the music master dancing
| with the very queen of the festival. All, Miss
Widen is delightful creature. One would
think she is quite happy, if one did not know
how extremely unpleasant it must be to her to
dance with such an awkward partner. l only
| wish all our young ladies were like her. 1t
| makes me quite angry, Mr.. T, when / see
how the young ladies of the present day pout
| their lips and turn up their noses at any poor
young man, like Mr.. Mannersted there, even if
he is ever so handsome. o, they are always
| engaged when such men seek their hand but if
| a captain, lawyer, or even a book-keeper on
good salary, should offer himself directly af-
| forwards, they accept him at once, without even
blush at the indignant look which they re-
| ceive from those whom they have so rudely
| nsulted."
80, yes /; but should think that Mr.. Man
nersted might have postponed his dancing aspi-
rations at least until he had been able to earn
| new suit of clothes"
He would have had to wait some time, "
said the first speaker. "But he is an elegant
| waltzer that cannot be denied"
eyes, yes" said third, but that unfortu-
nate little coat tail interferes seriously with his
elegant movements"
eyes, ladies, yes" lisped an effeminate youth
with downy lip, "it is unfortunate that pride
and poverty always go handin-hand. Would
you believe it? Mr.. H, a short time ago
offered him an elegant black suit, which he had
cast off, for about one third its value; but how
do you think he treated this generous offer
Why, the ungrateful man said that he wished
Mr.. H would trouble himself no further
about his wardrobe, or any other of his affairs
"How ungrateful" exclaimed several of the
group; and then they related a multitude o.
anecdotes, behind poor Franks back, which they
would have been afraid to repeat before his
face. Frank, however, heard nothing but lee
his beautiful partner through the whirling ma
yes of the waltz with such dexterity and grace
that his experiences was envied by many bet
ter-dressed gallant.
The waltz ended, Frank conducted Rosa tt
her seat, and after single glance at her ele
giant form, he returned to his former SOLITARY
place, and once more found himself forced bacl
into the cold void of reality. The guests were
now summoned to supper. Professor Ling wa
placed next to the lady of the house, and wa
tormented almost beyond endurance by he
many illusions to the young couple, the hard
ness of the times, and the blessings that wealth
could afford. She considered it fortune 70
young men to have rich and loving friends ant
limited at many other things of like nature
until the old gentleman, who readily perceived
that she was endeavoring to sound him, per
spired with vexation. He wriggled in hi
chair, he coughed and sneezed, and at length
offered the persevering lady pinch of snuff
which she took with the utmost reluctance, al
though she dared not to refuse it. She, dAte,r
mined to sacrifice everything to gam the Oh
mans good will but in vain were her suffer
, ings, her sneezes; the Professor was entirel
, inaccessible to her batteries.
Mrs. Widen was in despair, and, during tn
continuance of the supper, did not again er
deavor to learn the Professors sentiments i
. relation to the young couple.