Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-04-14
Amusing 8eaoillg,..
PETER SMITHS DUEL, AND !
WHAT CAME OF 1T.

inmate advisedly, since it is we'll known that
Mrs. Jones never takes boarders. In fact,
she expressly gave me to understand that
the onl y inducement in taking me was the
pleasure she expected to derive from my So
ciety-that she was far above mercenary con-
sideratiops. Of course I felt aattered by
the compliment thus insinuated, though l
confess was somewhat surprised, since all
merceuary considerations were disclaimed to
be'charged at higher rate than l had ever
before paid for board. Still, l did not de-
muir at this, certain that I had at length
found home.
Let me describe Mrs. Jones, my hostess,
I should say, the lady of whose family be-
came an inmate. Physically speaking, l
should say that she came of a great family,
her proportions being most aristocratic.-
She was very gracious and condescendiug in
manners toward me, for which, of course [
am properly grateful. She always comes to
the tables in stiff satin, the very rustic OF
which betrays her consequence, and impress
ses me with profound feeling of my COM
parative insigni6cance.
Mrs Jones had a daughter-by name So
phronia. In external appearance she was
quite unlike her parent, being exceedingly
tall and slender, while the latter was short
and dumpy. Some enthusiastic young man
had addressed her in copy of verses, which
she was kind enough to show to me, as a
sylph. do not know much about sylphs-
never having seen one to my Knowledge
but question very much whether sylphs
have such hair, or noses with an upward ten
dency. have my doubts, also, as to wheth-
er sylphs squint Still, l am far from deny
ing that. Miss Sophronia Jones is sylph,
since she wishes to be so considered.
Mrs. Jones table would, I judge, be ad
mirably adapted to valetudinarian. There
he would find no dishes of uuwholesome
richness, nothing likely to lead him to excess
of eating If, as some one has said, the
method most serviceable to health is always
to rise from the table with an appetite, can
recommend no place more favorable for car
rying out this rule than that which l at
present occupy.
About week after my arrival at my new
boarding place, conversation turned at the
dinner table upon concert, which was to
take place that evening, by Signora Faltali-
ma. I have but poor memory for Italian
names, but that is the name to the best OF
my recollection.
Il wish 1 could co. said the fair Sophro-
MIA.
so you could, my dear, if you had gen.
tleman protector replied Mrs. Jones, ten
derly.
Hereupon she began to declaim upon the
customs of society, which forbade a lady's
attending place of amusement without
gentlemao, lamenting that Sophronia had,
on that account, been more than once debar-
red from gratifying her exquisite taste in
music.
OF course, I could not, in politeness, re-
frain from Offering my services, although
should thereby be prevented from attending
the weekly meeting of the club to which l
belong.
sophronia, in great confusion, said she
could not think of troubling me. began
to hope that she would not, but her mother
quickly silenced her scruples by saying that
she was silly young girl, (she's thirty.fve
if she's a day, and that she must not think
Of refusing. Sophronia made no further OBJ
jeetions, and I had the pleasure of paying
high price for couple of tickets.
Nature not having bestowed on me mu-
sical ear, could enter but indiHerently into
the rapture of my companion, who pronoun-
ced Signora Falfalina's singing divine, al
though she considered her quite devoid of
personal attractions. The Signora being
built after the model of Sophronia, I agreed
with her in this last bit of criticism.
do you know simpered Sophronia, con-
fidingly, Il have myself thought at times that
I was destined by nature for prima donna'
or an opera singer like, Signora Falfalina? ?
Then why didn't you become one? I
asked.
Because ma had such prejudice against
anything of a public character. She felt
that I should be demeaned by so doing, and
told me l should be content to contribute to
the qualification of my friends at home. You
have never heard me sing, I think?"
had at times heard shrll voice, in a
very high key, as sat in my room, which
struck me as being far from agreeable. l
thought it best, however, without mention
ing this, to utter simple negative
you must not expect much continued
Sophronia 'my voice is wild aud unculliva-
ted. Ma is always telling me that ought
to pay more attention to it, but 1 can never
sing except when the inspiration seizes me-
IF you will come in tomorrow evening, l
will sing for you, if I am in suitable frame
for doing so.'
expressed my thanks for this disinteres-
ted kindness, and, as the concert was now
finished, | proceeded to escort the lady home.
As we were passing through the crowd, it
chanced that some one, accdently or other
wise, happened to jostle my companion She
Immediately cluug to my arm, aud Informed
me that she had been insulted.
sWho did it?' stammered I, for my cour-
age was not of the highest order.
In reply, Sophronia pointed out tall
gentleman, with very fierce moustache,