The Georgetown news., 1856-04-03
Why L DIdr.'t Marry Eer.

was at Rockaway, and we were laughing
in our own room, with our feet elevated on
a window bench. Best way in the world
of sitting, that. Wonder if ladies ever try
it when no one Is near. Guess they do
We had smoked two cigars and commenced
on third. There's something strange in
cigar-it makes one cool in hot weather
and warm in cold weather, and there is a
great deal in enjoying it with a crony.-
Tom was fast friend of mine, and fine
felow-yes fine fellow, there something
in him. He was fond of society and a great
favorite among the ladies, and now as |
looked over the dancing waves and unused;
cigars promoted reflection, they're real
moral institution, and that's why the cler-
gy patronize them | suppose-as smoked
and mused [ wondered why he had never
been caught in any of the nets spread for
him. There was tall dark-eyed beauty
who had made great impression on his
heart He had danced and flirted through
whole New Y ork season with her, and
from the way in which they both denied it.
l had really believed them engaged. But
Tom had suddenly drawn off, and left the
young lady to point her toes and curl her
ringlets for some one else. | had never
known the reason of this, and with my mind
full of these thoughts, l suddenly turned to
Tom, and asked him how it was be didn't
marry Flora Goodman.
Tom took the cigar from his mouth look
ed at me, arched his eyebrows, and then
commenced putting again.
"No, but tell me, you were very much
taken in that quarter once"
Tom made no reply but to throw open
his collar little more-Tom and | had
mounted Byron collars since we came to
Rockaway. There seemed no getting any
thing out Of him.
"Did the lady cut you, Tom?"
thought this would rouse him. "No,"
was the emphatic response.
He then knocked the ashes off the cigar,
saying, "And so you want to know why |
didn't marry Miss Goodman"
Eyes, thought papa had been spoken
to, and the bridal dresses ordered"
mo, l never had anything to do with
Mr.. Goodman farther than to settle myself
in his chair when he left the parlor clear
for me in the evening. Flora generally sat
on an ottoman-long- wasted people look
better on ottomans you know"
"Well, you didn't tire of long waists, did
you? | thought you admired everything
about Miss Flora"
$50 [ did then; that's my reflection now.
And she was very beautiful girl-a very
fine one in many respects"
"And she had the go about her, too
something very stylish. What's the reason
she did not suit you Tom?"
"She did, in all but one thing"
"You were very long finding that out,
then"
1T was something saw, that let me in
to the secret"
"Well out with it, or I'll duck you the
very next time we go bathing"
"You shall have the story. You NAV
call me foolish to take notice of such things
but I'm little peculiar sometimes. |
waited on Miss Goodman to a party. /
had ordered magnificent boquet, and talk
ed to my washerwOman an extra half hour
about the getting up Of my linen. had
my moustache trimmed and got new pair
Of patent feathers. | really looked well
that night. Though [ believe there is nc
connection save the ALTERATION between
sensibility and scrubbing brushes, even the
house maid gazed at me with sort of pa
thetlc admiration, as | came down stairs
L saw Flora more enchanting, and | CLAN
ced around Mr.. Goodman's richly furnished
drawing rooms thinking it would be quite
comfortable to walk in and hang up my hat
there. l handed Miss Flora into the car
rage as tenderly as possible. She kept NE
waiting a long time in the dressing room, q
thing abominate, but | was enough of q
lover then to be as patient as Job. l tuck
ed the young lady under my arm, and We
descended to the parlor. Joe, don't YOU
wish the old fashion would come back when
the gentleman handed the lady at arms
length, by the tips of her extended fingers
There was an opportunity for some display
OF ones bringing up-a slow finished cour
tesy, and finished bow"
"Well enough for you fellows that are sc
proud OF your figures" said |, "but some
OF US are glad to get through the ceremony
any way without displaying our awkward
shoulders, and in-the-way arms, and if
might hint it, some ladies would not make
1t very graceful operation"
oh If it were the fashion it would b.
taught as science; part Of ones course a
dancing school,"
"fou are not yet to learn, Tom, thai
there are some limbs, male and female
that can never be made to work easy-th,
dancing master cannot impart grace where
nature has not properly prepared the ma
terial."
"Well, at any rate, we made our entre'
IN style that night. Flora smile and ben(
were faultless, and [ can make pretty
good bow. The evening passed-Flora'
behavior to myself and Others, hit the lady
like thing to nicely. Her courtesle'
were shown so gracefully and SO generally
as to exhibit no marked preference, and ye
there was an air, slight manner visible
only to myself in her way of receiving ny