The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-04-23

imagine, that, " moral ana political chivalry
were psrsonidsd South Carolina would be its
ssGt.-LOs JoarmaL
The Fashion OF this world Pass
eth Away.
So saith the man Of wisdom--but whittier
II passes, in what cycle Of time II moves, is
left to conjecture. For instance, yesterday, a
gentlemso Of this city. whose taste in affairs
Of art, ladiss' dress. &C., Is somewhat noted,
handed in for inspection letter written BY .
young lady who has been passing the winter
on the Hudson. The letter was full OF small
talk, plsssantry and description, bnt as it con-
tanned personal references and illusions not
generally understood, it was found difficult to
extract such portion Of it as might interest
readers. Among the scenes, she had been to
private social dance, near Albany, at which
. Miss W, talented. elegant girl OF twenty,
was also guest. This young lady had been
noted for ssleadins the fashion, in that neigh
borhood, and having come home in the last
foreign steamer, her appearance was anxious
hands that her wardrobe would display Pars-
ian styles "a little later than the latest. -
About 10 O'Clock, the lady in question entered
the drawing room, and AZ matter OF course
all eyes were turned upon her. She was at
tired in heavy s'Pom adour," amply skirted,
falling in long fnted folds, and describing a
circ inference Of some three yards around
her pretty feet. The dress was low--to nd
miration--had hanging sleeves, open and
slashed, with rich lace undessleeves and che
mise, diamond stomocher, earrings and
necklace and profuse diamond hair ornaments.
She flirted demurely with an immense painted
fan, and occasionally dropped, for the amuse-
ment Of daLglers, lace mouchoir.
The dress was perfect, admirable, captiva-
ting. even TO the embroidered silk stockings
and the diamond -buckled, red-heeledshoes. -
Curiosity was on tiptoe-the forms Of polite
society were almos, broken through in eager.
ness to scrutinize, to examine and inspect the
detail which constituted such magnificent
tost ensemble. The night wore on-still no
word or look from the pretty fash,on-leader
gave token that she was aware Of the interes,
which she excited. The pretty little diamond
buckled, red-heeled shoes tripped merrily
through waltz and schottisch, qaadrille and
cotillion, but no sign Of weariness-no sign OF
"consciousness' was manifest. The men were
growing crazy with admiration-the women
with envy, when all at once, in the whirl Of
the waltz diamond buckle few of, and the
little shoe spun. glittering, to distant corner.
A dozen emrlous youths sprang for 1.-THE
foremost and most entcrcrising seized It, and
gazing abstractedly into its interior, where the
warm, pretty foot had so lately nestled, ex-
claimed:
.WENDELL CoRDwINER,
ALBANY, 1882
The gypsy had been figuring in the wedding.
gear Of her defunct great-grandmother, and
passing herself of the whle as a representa-
tive Of s'the newish French styles. o-l Detroit
Advertiser.
THE PARIsiAN LovE-LErrER WRrER.-
Az specimen Of formal declaration. Of love
6nd what we are quite sure ia not to be found
in any English secretary's assistant or letter.
writer-specimen billet-doux Gan untranslata
bic title) which is to be written on very small
ornamental note-paper, as il IS intended to b
given under the rose to some one to whom the
writer has no opportunity OF speaking. The
letter itself says: .Sinee am not 20 happy
- to be able to speak to YOU, il my addresses
are no: disagreeable, place blue ribbon in
your head-drsss.n And a note observes the
signal mast be varied according to circumstan-
ces--it would be absurd to ask blue signal
from person who always wears blue, and he
goes on to say-ssThis kind Of commune alton
is often very successful ladies who would no,
dare to write or say word, will venture to
wear special flower or ribbon! We are al
so provided with models OF letters where the
declaration has remained unanswered, OF an
other when favorable answer has been re-
ceived which begins thus famously: mad
emoiselle-Is it not dslusion? You love me
This charming word has been pronounced by
a ravishing mouth-your fingers have traced
i. 0, happiness inexpressible! Why can't
! run and throw myself at your knees, there
to die Of joy and love?' &C. Then comes a
letter to ask rendezvous, after, We presume,
the blue ribbon has bean worn-a letter to ask
for lady's portrait, in order to cover it with
kisses fortunately photographs are to be had
for franc pisce.--[ Dickens Household
Words.
QUkER PosTAL AaaANGEMENrs.--Th
Madison (W;s.) Josr~al is informed Of a
rather singular post-ofRcs arrangement on
the Wisconsin river. He observed the cap
tain land with . mailbag, the contents Of which
he emptied on one side OF . large dry goods
box, partly buried in the bank. He then took
from the opposite side Of the box whaisver
mail matter was therein contained, and return
ed to the boat. There was no human
habitation withiR6ve or six miles Of this nov
81 post-ofice, the locality Of which was mslk'
ed BY . small white dag flying from. q. neigh.
boring tree. Neither was there any postmas.
ter Or other oficial to take care Of il; bat the
captain. on his reaching the proper Office
wassxpeeted to mail the letters therein found
and 'iaquirs Tor any belonging to his region,
rHs caupt sleep well who goes'to bed
with ica in Ms ear.