Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-19

anu uHtdIt1if cTONc- Ii was CLOSE W OuL
ears, and startled even me. You ought to
have been Fits face. He looked as If the
earth and sky were coming together, and he
did not know where to fee for safety.
For Heavens sake, Miss Wilmot, what
was that?''
"Oh, that was country clock striking the
hour of noonr' answered, gravely. k
''Bless mel was it? Give me city bell''
(perhaps he will say city belle by this time)
sin preference. How it jars upon ones ears.
What is this in the tree above us-an owl,
Miss Wilmot?"
That. sir, is the Chinese Bird of Paradise
@Aw?"
At that instant, Betty Stout came out on
the back porch, and blew the dinner horn.
Betty is the daughter of man who helps fa-
Their farm, and who comes whenever we require
extra service in the kitchen. She does our
washing. and makes most of the butter and
cheese. She is good girl, with dutch form
and sunburnt arms and face.
THAT is the summons to dinner" said /.
And we wended our way back to the house.
/ introduced my guest to father and mother
in the dining-room. Father had taken the
trouble to put on his coat: and mother had
donned cap and her alpaca dress. They
shook hands with Mr.. Fitz Foom, who made
some excruciating fourishes. He was bent
upon pleasing, but in this he made one mis-
take. introduced him to Miss Betty Stout
if had not, she would never have set foot in
the house again-and he gave her so cold
stare, and so slight bow, that saw at once
she was offended. We sat down to table. /
will give the young gentleman the credit of
trying not to appear to observe our o,ftre ar
engagements; bnt his eyes would wander COW
ertly to the Britannia coffee-pot, the steel
forks, and to the form of Miss Betsy, who sat
opposite him. Two or three times papa gave
me such sly look. and jerk of the thumb,
indicating so much farmer-like contempt for
my ''city beau" that was fain to laugh in my
sleeve.
will also do Mr.. Fitz Foom the justice to
declare that his appetite was good, despite of
his dyspepsia; and that he pleased mother by
his appreciation of her roast chickens with
fresh apple-sauce, her coffee with cream, her
delightful butter, honey, warm biscuits, and
my dessert of custard, apples, walnuts, &c
If he could have finished off with bottle of
Sherry, think he would have been content
As it was, he slipped ellss of paIa's cider
brandy with him, and forgot, for time, the
rent in his trousers
"After dinner, mother brought her work
basket, and we sat down in the front room
where we had been talking but little while,
when neighbours boy came in to ask me to
a corn-husking that evening at Sally Birch's
| was glad of the bid, for / was beginning to
dread an evening alone with Fitz Foom.
''Shall l accept for Us both? You ought to
go to country corn-husking, Mr.. Fitz Foom.
1t will be something for you to think about
when you get back to the OPERA
Wherever Miss Lucy leads, l shall be but
too happy"
His speech was cut short by his eyes falling
upon his pantaloons. If he went to a country
party, he wished TO be able to dazzle all ewes:
and how could he with that hole staring him
in the face.
"Oh, never mind that?'' said my good mo-
Their, who saw his difficulty. II can mend
that in ten minutes, and press it out so that it
will never be seen. Will you go up to your
room, now, and leave your pantaloons on the
balusters ~
We all laughed at the idea; but, as there
was no other way, my elegant visitor retired
to the shades of his private apartment, while
mother mended his brooches. Just as she had
finished darning them, and had gone into the
kitchen to press them out, there came another
knock at the door. | opened it, and there
but of course you know who was there. What
an inveterate teaze you are, ancle to send
two young gentlemen to this house on the
same day to play at cross purposes! Isuppose
need not be afraid to confide to my good old
bachelor uncle that | was glad there was no
one by to detect the blush with which | well
coined my Highland Chief was expecting
him, and had prepared my parents to expect
him. but not so soon.
i do not know which of the two was the
more astonished when the other gentleman re-
appeared. Neither of them seemed particu-
larly charmed with the other had all 1
could do to entertain them until tea; and 81
lence would have fallen on us more than
once, if dear mother had not come to the
rescue with her pleasant and sensible observa-
tons.
The tea hour came at last. 1t was with a
tremor, that almost made my voice falter, that
| introduced my last guest to father. | was
afraid of his keen eyes and solid Judgment.
Yet do not know that had so much cause
for fear. My Chief entered at once into a
with a dignity and courtesy
very becoming under the circumstances l
knew papa was pleased, when saw his brow
expand, and his glance grow more smiling.
Immediately after tea, it was time to start
for the husking, as we had nearly mile to
walk, and were expected early the work being
an important part of the evenings entertain
ment.
Betty Stout was one of our party, of course.
She is an Independent piece, considering her
self good as anybody, and is treated as
such by all the neighbors. She was going TO
start on in advance, and leave me with my
" city fellows" but my Chief stepped forward
with so much respect, and offered her his arm,
that she could not refuse it. As for me- adj
formed so highly, that scarcely regretted my
own disappointment
How very barbarous it is for people in the
country to associate so intimately with their
servants!' whispered my companion.
Miss Stout is not a common servant" |
said, in excuse.
There were plenty of whispering and wise
glances among the crowd, when we arrived at
the barn-for corn-Sonees are held in barns.
.,,Ia Hha tslc LID Mo
aud the beaux Jealous, as the strangers were
introduced to them.
A circle had already been formed around
the heap of corn in the centre of the floor;
and, after few moments hustle, places were
made for us, and we set TO work Brimming
with mischief (shall | write it, spite?), and to-
tally regardless of Mr.. Fitz Foom's pleading
looks, | gave him seat on the floor beside
Miss Prudence Tattle, a thin old maid, who
prided herself principally upon her learning
and accomplishments, so superior to the most
of her friends and acquaintance. Myself and
the Highlander were established near at hand,
where could enjoy some of Mr. FiiZ's queer
faces and part of Miss Prudence's instruc-
tive conversation. "Ah me!' | heard her
remarking, and signalled to my companion TO
listen: so you have actually resided in the
city all your life, Mr.. Fitz Foolf"
Foom madame corrected he.
"Fooms beg your pardon. How very en-
such long residence in the metro
poian must render you! All, l have ever
sighed for opportunities of expanding my
mind Aud so much chance for doing good,
tool visited the Society for the relief of In
dignant Women, and contributed fifty cents.
went to the opera, too. Oh me! isn't it de-
lightfull | was so perfectly vaccinated by
Madame Lagranges voice that did not know
where i was. She has beautiful mezzotinto