The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1857-12-02
PhilOpena.

There is more real fun in one week of
country than in whole year Of city life.
was the declaration ofevery guest at Mrs.
Bartofs country-seat, during the week |
spent there in the summer. Such socla-
bic intercourse, such scope for improve
ment of each others acquaintance, such
chatty break fasts, and long afternoons in
the woods, and drives at shutdown or
moon-rise, and evenings on the porch,
facing the southern heavens, and catching
the southern breeze, while we sang solos
and duets
There were half dozen guests; three
young ladies, and as many gentlemen.
Mrs. Bartol and her son Clement COM
pleted the party.
There was Celia Linton, the beloved
much coveted as a daughter-in law of
Mrs. Bartol. There was Kate Upham,
supposed to be very willing to be the
daughter-in-law herself but in reality a
little, careless flirt, quite heartwhole,
And there was myself, Celia's intimate
friend.
Ofthe gentlemen-frstC Clement, loving
Celia with all his heart but so impulsive
and demonstrative lover, that he fright
ened the timid girl into absolute avoid
ance of him.
Then John and Arthur Glare, whom |
shall not have occasion to mention
again | think. And then Jack Linton,
Celia's brother, mad wag,' generallyin
mischief, and a great favorite. One day
we were all sitting around the dinner ia
BILE, eating almonds.
Il have a philopena, said Clement.
'who will take it? No one offers? Then,
mothel be proxy for them all. Now,
ladies, the one who catchs me shall have
the Psyche
This was a small marble head of
beautiful Psyche, which Clement had
bought that morning. | happened to
know that he had intended it for Celia,
but she had too strong a sense of pro-
priety to accept so valuable a present.
He hoped to make play Of giving it,
and put her in such a position that she
could not refuse it,
Mrs. Bartol saw through the plan, and
highly approved it. So she ate the al
mond in behalf of us all, and proposed
the German fashion of the philopena
We agreed therefore if any one off us could
make Clement take something from her,
she won the forfeit.
ASH knew Clements wishes, | man.
nuvred to make Celia the successful off
erer, and Mrs. Bartol did so also, but
Kate was q host against us. She had
quick invention, with Jack Linton to
spur it on, for he espoused her side warm
ly.
| wondered which would win the day,
Clement or Kate-man's determination or
wolnan's wit-for it was quite evident
| to me that Clement did not care to let
Kate have the beautiful bust, which,
however, she strongly desired to win from
him.
Clement wished to offer Celia some
apricots, but they had been removed to
the other side of the table, and the SER
want had gone to bring in the coffee.
Kate Jumped at the opportunity. She
handed them to him, but her eyes twin
killed. too expectantly. With merry nod
Clement refused to take them.
Mrs. Bartol tried to make Celia pass
his cup of coffee to him, but the shy girl
avoided doing so. We soon saw that
unless by accident, she would not win
the PSYCHE. She was as determined not
to seek it, as Clement was to make her
take it.
After dinner Kate engaged Clement in
conversation. She was sitting by the win
dow; he standing, leaning against the sash
She, fatteringly motlr,ett J. 10 chair at
her side, giving it gentle push with hel