The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-01-30
Mistslllntuns.
Settling A Knotty Question.

! Mr.. Roderick Rollins was bachelor who
had seen some iorty-nine summers, and ai
though be was bundle Of ecoentricities
there were few men more popular with old
married ladies, or with single ones as he had
ceased to be aighty. and had begun to take
a sober view Of the pomps and vanisies oil
this wicked world. It is just possible in
deed. that the geutleman's popularity might
be attributed in part to q very handsome
estate which he Lll inherited from bis
father; for have gsnen.lly observed thai
q large landed property isa greater enhancer
Of the wit. beauty and profandity of its Pos-
ss.or. A Ne. Rollins gradually lumber
eli along in life. no naturally became les
and less disposed to rapid locomo'iou, and
at tho time he Is introduced to the reader,
ho had dropped one and another Of his
regular visiting acquaintanccs among the
ladies, until the remainder had dwindled
down to exactly three families.
In one Of these families, that Of Mr.. Pet
tigrew, there were two elderly young ladies
named Rachel and Amelia. These ladies
were Of the respective ages Of thirty s0ven
and forty-nine. and having outlived their
taste for balls and jams, now solaced them.
selves with the society Of . few old beaux
who would occasionally drop in Of an even
ing, and have quiet game Of backgammon
with them by the eide Of an old-fashioned
Liverpool col FIRE. Among these visitors,
none was moro welcome than Mr.. Rollins.
His stories were generally long. and he had
much TO say Of the sad degcneracy OF the
present fas, age but then being rich in the
funds, he was rich in his "reminiscences OF
the olden time. He would every now and
then 80 aff.ctionately allude to the brilliant
evenings Of bygone years, when he used to
dance with the Misses Rachel and Amelia
at the public assemblies, that tho young
ladies would in Imagination. rcvel again
through those gay and festive scenes; and
as Mr.. Rollins named one and another Of
these bellies and their adorers, who used to
figure in the Spanish dances and laiies
chains Of that simple en OF Terpsichore,
the tears would course one another down
their innocent moss. Mr.. Rollins W." also
u cOnnoisssur, and highly gifted critic In
green and black teas, and was well posted
in cough and rheumatic medicines generally.
Since he had got along in years. no had like
wise come to take great interest IN ohurch
matters; he kept the run OF proceedings OF
all the annual conventions, and was sup
posed to be familiar with the private opln-
ions Of .a'"''.i Of 'h" B,.hope' Now none
OF these subjects were indifferent ones 70 MA
fair companions, and assuch human weak
ness as love and marriage seemed out OF the
question tho latter intercourse between
them was rs calm and cool rs moonshine
in Winter. The condition Of ancient beaux
and ancient bellies who have retired from
the draw ng rooms OF mirth and fashion,
and have taken to chess and needIework,
and to sober "reminiscences of the heart con-
diets they have undergone, is not tho cheer
less character which some consider it. 1t
may be liksned to that Of pensioned soldiers
carefully housed in rome snug harbor pro-
vidcd by the State. where they may rest and
smoke and talk Of the mighty deeds they
have done, for the residue Of their lives
Tho wars are over, the battle, have been
fought; and what though ono may have
lo~t an arm. another leg. and third has
been Topped Of oil his limbs, yet the pain
arising from the wounds has been long for
gotten, and they now remember but the in
cidents and the glory OF the conflicts
ms used to visit, was that OF tho wcll.known
DR.. Anodyne. The Doctor himself was a
Gentleman Of the old school. and his lady
could give you the history of every family
Of note in The metropolis, but the attraction
to Mr.. Rollins was the society Of their
daughter Harriet. Miss Harriet had been
in her d "a celebrated beauty but having
now attained her tort'eth year. It was gen.
orally supposed that the grand meridian oi
ier charms had been passed. In early lie
there had bcen some talk OF n match between
ner and MIR Rollins Out tins had long o'own
'vcr and their conversation was now' to all
human appearance, as rational and un'm
FASHIONED US though they were q couple Of
prosy philosophers The remaining "'nl'y'
IGNORED with the pleasant acquain'ansh'p
1t Mr. Rollins was that OF MIS- A''es"y
sidow lady OF considerable wealth anu posi-
ion. shc was tho sister ot MIS- Ahodyns'
md consequently her da"sn'er' 'he a'n,ao's I.,
h's' Ann Mar''' was o"" eoa''" " "'''
Harriet, anu very hcariy VI the samo ~