The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-07-23


a child unluckils present, and the horror o!
a circle Of sober-suited matrons, whose
spectac.es cleaned with dignity and resent
mens at the pretty and piqnans picture.
Sa!ly's fair head and rounded shoulders Sc;
in the vast and pu.fad up eircumfereuce OF
her deep blue brocade skirt, as she had
skil,fuIly achieved wonderful " cheese ;"
after light waltz to initiate the airy MINI
icyy? The gentlemen were charmed. being
sensible. as am bound TO acknowledge meu
are apt TO be, that there Is something in
truth and nature infinitely captivating and
refreshing: but Theodos was struck with
CONSERVATION, and his old aunt, Eebecca
kramps, came as near using profans speech
as her piety and politeness together would
permit. Poor Sally,
However. this was not all the advent oil
Joe at Hale College. and his speedy discoS-
cry there of a cousin in the senior class,
just his double for mischief and merrimen,,
gave Sally fresh impetus. Paul Norton
and Joe ere at the yellow house on Avenue
B six times a week. often seven. The Pro-
fessor, deep in his Greek and German, far
away from the parlor, which rang contin-
ualy with laughter and shouts of mirth,
paid no heed to the gay echoes which now
and then reached him, more than to smile
abstraetedly, and be glad Sally was so happy.
As spring came on, however, and Paul Nor
ton. more than half in love with his lovely
and merry cousin. volunteered his escort
for drives and pic-pics. utterly abhorrent TO
! the PROFESSIONAL soul. the good Theodosius
began to grow wearily lonely, and to long,
even in his beloved study, for those brii-
liant sparks of fun that ioated no more
| through the still house, and to long espe-
cially for his mocking- bird, at the hours he
had used 10 give to her society. Rumors Of
no fat,eriag nature to Sally's sense of pro.
priety crept about the provincial circles of
! Oldport. All the Faculty wives treated her
with profound politeness, and gnred upon
her with distrustfui eyes at anv social en-
counter. But Sally, in her bright, brave
innocence, and in her true heart, daily
strengthened by its growing love for her
husband, and more molly fortified by her
/ pride in his talent and reputation, cared
| little for the GOODNESS of anybody. She
rode, sang, and frolicked to her heart's CON
tent, and thought nothing Of they say :"
! but aunt Rebecca brought all to Theodo>ius,
! and would have done SO to his wife. had he
not strictly forbidden her to retail enc word
/
kramps had to content herself with wonder
full eye-exercises; and a rigid expression Of
virtu0ns indignation, that made her nose
ache half an hour afterwards, so being its
own reward.
Yet even these spinster shafts fell harm
less upon Sally, til one day, or rather one
night. the Professor having gone to Fac
ulty meeting. Sally and her faithful allies,
with the aid of few gay young girls, who
had come IN 4ccIdcnfally, amused themselves
with churadcs, always well got up, and most
spirited where Sally took the lead; for
under her merrimcnt, there lay deep vein
of talent and strong sense, as yet hidden,
but no loss genuine. In The midst Of II great
burst Of laughter at SalIy's appearance in
the cap and shaw. Of an old woman. a skicn
of warn doing duty as white hair and her
husband 5 spectacles on heg funny little nose
the door opened, and into the melee walked
the, Professor bringing with him very dis
tinsushed foreigner. famous the world over
rs one of the lights of science. Joe roarcd
inwardly in the corner; Paul stepped for
ward to shake hands with his COUSIN IN law;
and Sally, all forgetful of her costume,
came behind him with her usual simple and
well bred manner, to weiceme her husband x
friend. Well might the Frenchman's thin
lip curl to perceptable sucer at the figure
before him, which, being perceived by Joe.
the unlucky boy rushed forward. and pull
ing off Sally's cap, to which also were
attached the spcctacles, pulled her golden
hair down beside, and created sudden
change in the face Of Professor Nal pas, as
we'll as in Sallys; for now the Frenchman,
with unequivocal admiration, turned to
poor, ashamed, yet vexed Theodosius-
"Ah! YOU have one eldest daughter, sir.
see. give you mirth; she is yalr pretty
indeed -
a sudden pang went through Professor
Kramps' soul.
"Monseur Malpas," replied he " this is
my wife, Mrs. kramps.'
''Oh ah pardon me-
The foreign professor had regained the
snecr. Theoiosius drew himself up, erect
and pale he looked for once like the man
he was, and Paul Norton stared.
"Mrs. kramrs.' said the Professor,
"wil YOU order supper?' Monsieur Malpas
has just arrived in the cars, and will remain
with uS.'
vt this moment 4 very distinct smile was
audible, and the mn!Ign face Of Rrbcccn
peered IN at the door, and retreated with an
equally maIign giggIe, mnrmaring-
"Uh! | DISTURB your theatrcals, | per
cglye.' This time, sally fe.t her sung
keenly; but she had to hide her grievcd face
like the chidden child she was, and 60
When she returned, her dress was carefully
arranged, and the other guests taking leave
she sat down to converse with Professor
Malpas and having been most carefully
fn
which her traits seemed peculiarly adapted
she made her unexpected visitor thor
oughly and PLEASANTLY at home, before the
well ordered and neatly served supper ap
prared. Yet this WASH oily the first cloud
of Sally's sunshine, soon coaxcd from the
kni: brows of her husband, by soft lIps, and
The touch of a we: cye.ash: Il new round Of
invitations, on their guests account, brought
Sally out once more into The circle Of the
college and its dependencies.
There she met a lady, just now a star in
the ascendant among sur oundiBg iIteratI,
and the most opposite creature possible to
little Madame kramps. Miss Vernon was
tail, intellectual, and high strung; not pret-
ty. but striking in air and manner most
charming to the Faculty; full Of u graceful
and couruy dignity; a certain ster otyped
ease OF manner, the perfection Of training
ami sauior fare. To hsr the learned and
shy Iheodosius introduced his little wife,
and devoted his greater self. He hung
upon her steps Ike a caricature shadow !;
converssd with her hour after hour, en-
trauceJ, rs it seemed, By her wit and Wis
dom: and entertained his wife at gii inter-
walls With Mss Vernon's bon mot. and
learning, till into Saliy's innocent breast
began 10 penetrate the agony Of all mortal
love, bitter thorn ot the red rose, a spark
Of jealousy.
She began 10 grow quiet and meek, the
dEmask- eoloTed cheek faded 70 the tender.
est wildins hue her blue eyes drooped 20
sadly that Paul Norton ground his teeth
aud shook bis fiat at tho Professor every
time be met him in the dask, all a sudden
idea, to the effect that Sally was pinlpg away
FOR himself, struck the exalted mind Of the
seu:or, and he abstained, Ike airy Spartan
martyr, from visiting ct the bouse more
than once fortnight. and pat himself ON
course Of Bqtwer's novels, all Of which vas
Vsry good 10 him, though quite unneeessary.
Nov IL happened that there came to town