Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-01-28
THE BACHELORS BUTTON;
How Single Gentleman got into Difficulty,
and how he got out Of it.

and how he got out Of it.
CHAPTER FIRsr.-wHAT HAPPENED AT THE CONCERT.
Some years ago, when 1 was a single man
and dreaming, Gas some single men do,> OF
double bliss, yet destined to arrive, l went to
a concert at the Musical Hall of Boston. Mu-
sic is, POLITICALLY and proverbialy, ''the food
of lovc,'' and in my sentimental state | con-
sumed a good deal of it; not that L had any
object in view. Mine was abstract love;
cultivated it, increased my stock, so that
might have a good deal of the tender passion
in hand whenever saw an eligible Opportuni-
ty of investing it. Well, to return to the con-
cert; it was crowded to excess, and the rush,
on leaving, to reach cabs and carriages, was
very great. wore that memorable night
a blue coat with brass buttons, and fiattered
myself there were worse looking men in the
room. / tell you candidly 1 admired myself;
the other party was most struck with, was
fine girl, with dark eyes and black hair, who
sat with some young friends a few forms dis
tant. L hoped she noticed me and my blue
coat with brass buttons. l looked at her Of
ten enough to attract her attention to both
and being, as my friends would say, in rather
a SpOCHey Sldtc, hOIhtu SCH, III a bOHCllhS
passion-of lore. But how was to come at
the object of my admiration, for l diff
fident as devoted-s'as shy as l was vain," as
an over-candid friend said. ssHail CO.
tumbia,n which concluded the concert, sur
prised me, as unprepared as on my first glance
to s.improve the OCCASION" and the company
were shoaling out, while L stood mutely gazing
after the object of my love at first sight. She
and her party eddied for while at the inner
door of the concert room and were then drawn
out into the retiring current, and lost to sight.
followed quickly after, lest 1 should lose
forever all opportunity of identifying my idol;
but, alas the lights in the outer corridor were
few, and so far between that, s'no glimpse of
my star could get." L pushed and elbowed
fiercely through the crowd, with view Of get
ting to the outer door before my fair one's
party had emerged, and thus gaining once
more sight OF my swecting.
e.Hang it i'' | muttered impatiently, as felt
tug at my coat-skirt, and was instantly
conscious of one of my hind buttons having
hitched to some lady's dress; my progress was
suddenly arrested. elbow provoking, - thought
/, as was brought to stand, for lcould not
push on without losing button, or tearing a
dress; sshow provoking the modern fashions
a lady now has many hoops, as many TENTH
cles about her apparel as sea anemone. 1t
was with some irritation | stopped to undo the
button. but my hurry made the task more diff
ficuIt. and instead of undoing, only bungled
and more twisted the loop round the button.
.splease to let me try,'' said the lady her
self as | bungled over the business; she un-
ploved her hand-it was a sweet white hand
SO | looked at her face. Stars and CATERS
but it was the very fair one, black hair and
dark eyes, l was in pursuit of. As she stoop-
ed over the cntangled button, slight blush
tinted her cheek. Oh, it was delicious L
hoped she never would undo the loop and,
indeed. she would not, for her fingers were
twi,cbing neryously, and my heart was beating
audibly, tried to help her, our fingers met.
oPlease to make way there" shouted gruff
voice behind. We were blocking up the pas
sage. was there ever such an unlucky spot Tor
so lncky an entanglement?
"Yon hinder the people from gong ou'' "A
mie." exclaimed one of her companions win
some asperity; s'plaguc upon the tiresoiie
loon. break it 20 and shifting the action 10 the
word, the speaker leaned forward, caught the
sleeve of her beautiful friends dress III one
hand, and my coat tail in the other, ana CIV
ing a quick and decided tug, severed u.s. Inc
crowd behind bore on, and we were separated
not, however, before gave my "star' look
which intended to speak volumes. thoush'
she did not seem unconscious of my meaning
Our eyes met, know, and this was the on