The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-02-03

fruits anu cream, anu sdladS as cflpSy as
possible. But the wonder of the party was
Miss Cutter, in one Of her evening dresses
plain silk, founced to the waist, with as
much of the shoulders and arms Visible as
decency would allow. She played and sauH,
she danced and chatted and hirted with the
young gentlemen, and was the theme of con-
versation for a week afterwards. The girls
thought her affected, vain, silly even, and
quite rude, but the gentlemen we're COM
pletely dazzled. Six poor fellows had no
relish for food or sleep from that night four
began to write verses and wear tight boots,
and one, our hero, Eph, showed all the
symptoms in the most malignant manner.
Eph's position as confidential clerk to the
only merchant in town, gave him an entree
in society that would not have tolerated
widow Smiths son for the widow lived
in poor house mile from town, and had
sold eggs, fruit, and stockings Of her own
knitting, to give her only child respectable
education, and start in the world
A simple, good woman was Mrs. Smith,
who cOnscienti0usly wore one bonnet and
black bombazine gown for twenty years,
and always went meekly into church, with
her folded handkerchief and hymn book in
her hand, and curtsied reverently towards
the Deacon's lady when she came down the
aisle-a simple, kind woman, with the fear
of God and the Squire's family before her
eyes, and was as innocent Of all guile, as
newly hatched chickens. Nobody could
make cool, yellow butter cakes with her;
nobody could fatten and dress poultry, or
raise early peas and cucumbers and tomatoes
as well, or make an Indian pudding, or
pumpkin pie, or toe off stocking, half as
well. But these we're poor recommendations
in the eyes Of fashionable city girl, and
Eph was in continual torment between his
reverence and affection for his mother and
his passion for the "bright particular star"
All the neighbors knew Of Eph's predica-
mcnt. How could they help knowing? lie
put up salt for sugar, best brandy for mo-
lasses, boxes Of mustard for little shoes,
knitting needles for whalebones. Every
body laughed at him, and pittied him, which
was quite as bad but Eph only thought of
his charmer, and wished that his mother
could be persuaded to stay at home from
church during her stay in town. He laid
himself out in extraordinary copies of verses
(borrowed) and terribly silly epistles on gilt
edge paper, accompanied with bundles of
candy, papers Of pea nuts, and lunches Of
flowers, which went regularly 10 DIR. Cutters
and were well laughed over BY all the girls.
At length the visit drew TO close, and
clad in his tightest trousers, and shiniest hat.
Eph made the last call upon his enslayerA
Luckily, she was alone, and after an awkward
silence broken by several miserable attempts
at speech, the poor youth went down on his
knees and declared himself.
The young lady waited till his rhapsody
was finished, and then very coolly told him,
that even il she cared for him, she should
not wish to connect herself with so vulgar a
person as his mother.
Poor Eph! lie got up as gracefully as
possible, aud was bowling himself out very
pathetically, when his eyes fell on the knees
Of his pantalOons. Horror! In getting into
attitude, he bad split both legs across, and
Miss Cutter was laughing at him. He beat
rapid retreat; went home, put on his
worst pair Of boots, and coat out at the ell
bows, aud went about his business.
Il takes some little time to heal such
woands. but they generally grow over, and
leave one all the wiser. Eph she'd a great
many secret tears. tore his hair a little in
private, wrote few very bad verses, and
learned in time to despise Miss Cutter, and
himself, for thinking he had loved such
girl.
Fifteen years passed, and Ephraim Smith,
Esq, was the leading man Of our village.
1 lie owned most OF the navigation that came
up the little river, half the shares Of wool
en- factory, bank stock, railroad stock, and
fine store full oE goods all paid Tor. Where
\ the old house had stood on Tie banks Of tie
river, quite . noble residence doomed up
among the old beaches. The current bushes
aud pie plants had given place to fiue shrub
berry, the stintcd field TO lawn, aud the
tumbls.down barn, vocal with swallows, to
a stable, out Of which Mr.. Smiths buggy, or
chaise, or family carriage, rolled compla.
Gently almost every day.
/. Quite a change had cume over Mrs. Smiths
exterior, too, though she was the same mild,
humble woman. Wealth j. great sOitener
of rugged personal traits and wealth. the
habit uf il, had made a quiet Old-fashioned
LADY Of vulgar Mrs. smith. MANY a young
/ lady. or widow, would have been only too
happy to call her mother nov, for Eph was
still IN Tie market. lie had been too busy
IN inte sting aud improving upon 4 legacy
from bis uncle, and growing rich aud impcF
tant, TO think Of matfimony.
There WAS vast difference, too, between
the silly hoy Of fifteen wears before, and the
good locking, sensible man, dignified and
wrll.hrpd, who Mas % welcome in The par.
lOrs III il. 1t least 50 thought Miss
Cutter, still Miss Cutter. who came down
TO spend the dog .days with her unele's family,
to practice her old airs and graces upon the
benightrd people Of Il, aud Co Get an
establishment Il she possibly could.
\ Shc was not slow IN making advances 10
her old admirer. twho was a frequent visitor
az the Doctors talked sentimentally Of old
times, aud their former friendship, spoke Of
The charms Of rustic life, uf her love for
quiet, domestic pleasures, and declared that
sic longcd 70 get away from tie dissipation
aud adulatiUn Of the city.
Ephfaim renewed bis acquaintance quite
pleas1utiy. allowed The lads 10 fattpf him.