Volcano weekly ledger. (Volcano, Amador County, Cal.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-12


dress, and the brave girl was seated for the
| first dance.
BY some strange management of the ma
chinery, Jane found herself in the same set
with the lion Of the evening. She was
forced to acknowledge that he was a glorious
fellow-she had never seen him before
and just her idea Of what man ought to
be. 1t would have been easy to love such a
man.
Miss Araminta Edmundson was his part
ner In her own estimation she was the most
considerable belle in the village, while she
was in fact the heiress of considerable for
tune. Her friends had played her cards
adroitly, and she had thus far won the chief
distinctions of the evening She was NOR
ally sure of captivating her partner before
the first dance was finished.
She turned up her nose at the calico dress,
and uttered some disparaging remarks, to
Frank Huntington.
i like her independence" replied the lion
Of the evening.
"She is a very absurd girl,7 said Ara
minta.
But very pretty one"
Do you think SO p
II do"
And Sam Vincent was close at hand, too.
He had selected the most prodigious heap of
petticoats muslns, and ribbons in the bevy
of gay damsels, and spent his time in making
fun Of the noble girl he boasted of having
sacked
The first dance was ended, and it became
question who should be Franks second
partner. The friends of various young la
dies kindly offered to introduce him, but the
lion played Off
Taking the arm Of friend, Frank Hunt
ington sauntered into the drawing-room, and
found some of the old gentlemen and ladies
playing at whist.
Mr.. Oakes said Frank, touching him on
the shoulder, i am very sorry to disturb you,
but have set my heart upon dancing with
that sweet niece of yours
But, my dear fellow, she has nothing on
but calico dress, said the old gentleman
bluntly, and with the most profound astonish-
ment
Frank understood him, though he did not
express what he meant
| admire her independence"
You are sensible fellow, Frank; come
along
He was duly introduced, and envous maid
ems were duly astonished by the sight of the
lion of the evening with calico dress.
Miss Araminta was in rage, and asham-
cd of herself
What made the matter more aggravating,
he seemed to enjoy her conversation aud her
merry, joyous smile. 1t was provoking to
see them on such excellent terms, and half
the ladies in the hall began to think of put
ting on calico
The dance ended, and Frank conducted
her to seat; but instead of leaving her as
he did Miss Araminta, he continued by her
side laughing and chatting with her all the
next dance.
You have no partner, Miss Oakes, neith-
er have l. May have the pleasure of your
handY
Jane wanted to decline, but Frank insist
ed, and led her to the floor An intimate
friend yentured to suggest that he ought not
to dance second time with the same lady
" | don't care, replied Frank, and drop
ping his voice to whisper: 1T is confound-
ed snobbish affair, a regular man-trap'
But they are doing you honor and you
ought not to slight them
The devil they arel I'll bet fifty dollars
against two cents there is not girl except
the Calico who did not come here for the
purpose of catching somebody Frank
made broad assertion, but outside ladies
will perhaps excuse him, under the circum-
stances
The dance went on, and scores of enyious
eyes were cast on Jane. Sheer and lima
ture, not to say malicious remarks, were
freely indulged, but Jane was too deeply en-
gagged by the attention of her gallant part
ner to heed anybody but him, remained in
blissful ignorance of the sensation she had
produced. She had even forgotten that she
had on calico dress. Again she was seat
ed, and again the lion seemed chained TO her
side--a very tractable and obedient lion
This time she would rot permit him to for
get his partner for the next dance; but he
insisted upon procuring one for her first, be-
cause he fully understood her position and the
snobbishness Of the party.
A personal friend of his was too happy
to dance next time with Jane, and Frank led
off Sophia Butterfly, the second maiden in
Influence at court"
After this there was no lack of partners
for the calico. Jane had more applications
! for her hand than she could attend TO. her
card indicated engagements for the next six
dances. So much for the " lion'sn patronage
Frank came at this juncture, and finding
that her card was rapidly filling up declared
that all the managing mammas had bribed all
the gentlemen to prevent him from dancing
with her. But never mind this indirect dis.
play of vanity-he had reason for the faith
that was il him.