The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-10-20
ASa antxtstillp gtene.
"a Scene in Courtship.
DRAWN FROM LIFE.

remarkable comic affair it was. Love is ir
fact, nothing more than game at riddles
each party attempting to puzzle the other
and very pretty amusement it is. wal
about nineteen when l first began to play
The first player met with was apparently
a placid, unsophistcated girl, nearly my
own age, with form and features very pre-
possessing. who lived with her mother ant
father, and some half dozen sisters, in Q
small cottage, about mile from our house.
I met her at a dance, during which she e.
yinced no repugnance to my melancholy
features, and, although went through the
figures OF several quadrilles like mummy
from the tombs of the Pharaohs, she ex-
pressed herself delighted with my anima-
1ion. This thought droll; but it was fol
lowed by things much more funny. Ame-
liza Thompson and soon became intimate,
and Twas in due time introduced to Amelia's y
sDapa, a retired barrister, who ne?er had
brief, and Amelia's mamma, patronizing
tlady, who wished to be thought person of
some conscience, and Amelia's half dozen
sisters, fine strapping girls, with broad
shoulders, and horrible. inclination for
bread and better. They were all remarka-
'bly civil, for Mr.. Thompson tried to bore
me to death, by constantly and perpetually
describing, al length, his peculiar method Of
fattening pigs; Mrs. Thompson attempted
to poison me by making me swallow some
abominable home made-Dine she called it.
but physic it was; and the seven Miss
Thompsons seemed inclined to worry me in
to fever, by urging me to write in their Sc
ven albums. At that time never could
bring myself to refuse any request it was
possible for me to grant, and often endur-
much unnecessary suffering, through want
ing sufficient resolution to say "No." In
this instance, did not escape. The old
gentleman was sitting in an arm chair, in
his best wig and and coat; the lady of the
house reclining, with no inconsiderable as
sumption Of dignity, on the sofa, had placed
Sae by her side; Amelia sat quiet and shy
very near me; and her sisters were busily
showing me some beautifully wretched
drawings, and charming trashy nonsense
contained in their albums. Some refresh.
ments had been placed on circular table
close to the sofa.
"Pigs, my dear sir. pigs are moro interest
ing animals than the vulgar imagine" said
the retired barrister; and, as he had repeated
the observation at least dozen times with
in the last half hour, of course assented
to his opinion
"I'm astonished, Mr.. Thompson, you
should talk OF those dirty creatures in the
best parlor!" observed his spouse, with a
look of offended majesty that spoke vol
umes; and then turning to me, with face
ali Of smiles and good nature, said, "you
must take another glass of wine, Mr.. Wac,
I'm sure you like it,. and besides it is Ame-
lia's own vintage.
/ had already swallowed, much against my
inclination, six glasses of the filthy mix
ture, but, to be told that liked it, when /
would have given anything to have smashed
the decanter, and to be informed that it
was the vintage 20 JupiterD Of my adored,
did not make it more palatable; however
politeness suggested the necessity OF put
the repenished glass to my lips and then,
to mark my feeling towards the fair manu-
sacturer, drained the bumper at a craught.
"Another glass!" immediately exclaimed
Mrs. Thompson with look of triumph at
her daughters, for which, had dared, /
would gladly have choked ner. "Isn't it
, %ery nicel It's called Frontignuc, and Amy
shall give you the receipt for making it,"
"It's made of turpentine and aquafortis,
there's no doubt about it." thought |.
"How do you like this drawing Of but
terAy on rose!" mildly inquired Miss An
,gelica, showing me something on bit Of
paper, that thought rcsembled, in are.
markable manner, a toad on a cabbage
stump. s.
ats nature itself" replied.
fanny did 1t all.' cried Miss Augusta.
"And Amy did this cottage" said Miss
Rosa, handing it for my inspection. TIE
cottage seemed as much like coal scuttle
as anything could be. 81
"And this bird of paradise, too" added
Miss Belinda; but If she had called it a
Kangaroo, the designation would have been
quite as appropriate. 80
Sand she can play The Battle Of Prague
with both hands, exclaimed the youngest,
with q sort Of wonder that such an accom-.
plishment was possible. $40 % aat
Sand she can make card racks, and net
purses, and breed silk worms, and write po-
etry and---p III ~
"Nevef mind Septima what your sister can
do" here interrupted her mamma. "Mr.
iWag will find out all her qualities in time.
Amy my love! what is the matter with you'd
You seem dull,n added she, with Yery inn
pressiye affection. as, g Yf,
Amy gave sigh.
eAh! poor thing she u 20 susceptible I,
yssid Mrs. Thompson emphaticaliy.
Amy fixed her eyes on q gap In the pep
Iper andsalt carpet. looked as solemn as
Ixhe Ouaeu Elizabeth. done Il, worsted that