The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1857-10-03

yet, III have time to 60 and put Ellen in
mind of bringing down her music They
/ will want her to play to night, l know,
and Ia bot going TO have her refuse, al
ter taking lessons of Mr. Yerian so long"
"Nhy, ma, said Miss Ellen, wien
her mother entered, telling her for good
peAs. So ke not to forget her music, "they
won twant me to play tonight. They'll
have a musician, | sappose-perhaps a
band"
"You don't mean that no one will ask
you to play? Mrs. Taylor certainly will"
"Why no, indeed, ma"
"Then when, in the name of wonder,
arc you to play, if not in company? Do
you suppose | lay out SO much money on
your music just for you to beable to play
to your father at home?" H ~ D
"No, certainly; but young ladies very
seldom play inparties where there's dane
ing; only at musical soirees-,"r
Only at musical soireesr' repeated
Mrs. Peabody, and after standing mo-
ment she left the room. .xsa rEsl..5
IEwas llearer ten than nine before even
the first instalment Of Mrs. Taylor's ,''iew
friends were assembled in the glittering
rooms. - +a --+3 So q
9"Her definition of few must be diff
ferent from the Bible one,' said Mrs. pea-
body to herself, '.for I'm sure there is
Eve times as many here already"
The first hour passed without Mrs.
Peabodys making any further mistake
than asking a lady, who appeared in
splendid white Grape shawl, ff7"she had
not better throw off her shawl" adding.
that she would send it to the dressing
room if she; wished J" and calling Mrs.
! Taylor's eldest daughter Jane, in
stead of Jenny, before one of her most
fashionable beaux-not knowing that
since Jenny Lind's debit there are no
more James i'll New York.
At length the music struck mp, and
the dancing commenced. Mrs. Peabody
lad a good position for Observing the
dances, and her daughter was seated bv
her side. The fair country girl attracted
much attention, but she did not dance,
not liking to leave her mother SO soon.-
tIrs.P. was entirely engrossed by the
scene before her When the first couple
began to Polka she opened her eyes very
wide; but she soon said to herself, ';of
course they are brother and sister, or en-
gaged, perhaps married" ....-.. ..-
But as she saw one after another fol
low on, and at LAST Mrs Taylor herself
place her hand on the ghoulder of a gen
tleman whom she knew was no relation
whatever, and join the dances, her horri-
fed astonishment exceeded all hounds.
"Dreadful. dreadful! :, And did Mr.
Taylor actually sanction such inproprietis.
After a time there was a pause, and
during the interval Miss Taylor approach
ed with moustached stranger, and pre-
sented him to her daughter. Soon anoth-
er strain rang through the rooms, and
while Yrs. Peabody was thinking here
comes more of this disgraceful eXhibi-
tion.' 'fthe gentleman carelessly murniured
something she did not hear. and extend
ed his arm, Ellen rose, and the stran-
ger, encircling her waist, whirIed her
away to the music Of the fascinating
Schottisch. .- 's' .' -''
Her daughter, yes, it was her own
daughter that that impertinent man was
whirling round the roon il that style =
And her own daughter that 50 coolly and
quietly permitted such liberty! Had
Ellen no delicacy, no sense Of propriety
left? This had never entered her
thoughts, even as she watched the 9TH
ers, that her own daughter could be made
partaker in such an improper exhibi-
bition And how dared the man do such
a thing? to take her from her very side,
right before her eyes Suddenly recoy-
ering her powers Of speech, Of oflocomotion,
Mrs. Peabody dnrted across the. room and
seizing Ellen by the arm in the midst Of
IA graceful balance, exclaimed, "Let go of
my daughter, sir!" -9-.Eag $50 izag
The astonished gentleman almost un-
consciously retained his hold, not certain
whether it was not 4 crazy. woman who
w2s addressing hin. Mrs Peabody then
graspcd his arm and shook it violently,
repeating, "Let go of my daughter, sir,
instantly;1 viii not have this. She shall
not disgrace herself if others do. " 8.
The tone and manner Immediately at
tracted every ones attention. The poor
man, frightened almost to death, madea
sudden retreat from Ellen as if she had
been serpent Mrs. 7. was left alone
with. her daughter in the centre of the
room, ali eyes fixed upon them. How
fervcntly did poor Ellen pray that some
accident woildJhappeh tottefeas-~ofl,s,
and9hsaye the company in total darkness. !.
But no; tiie diamonds, zeal and ilnita-
ton sent back the light as dazzEagly as
eyer-no earthquake came to her relief
the floor would not open and let her
sink throueh, and she at lass,fushed sob
bing from the room, deep modification
and disappointment struggling IL her
brr-act