The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-01-05

J
must not think of refusing.
Sophronia made no other objcctions,and
l had the pleasure of paying high price
for couple of tickets.
Nature not having bestowed on me
musical ear, l could enter but indifferenty
into the raptures Of my companion, who
pronounced Signora Falfalini's singing di.
vine, although she considered her quito
devoid of personal attractions. The Sig
nora being built after the same model as
Sophronia, quite agreed with her in this
last bit of criticism.
DO you know" simpered my COM
panion, con6dingly, II have myself thought
at times that 1 was designed by Nature
for prima donna or an opera singer like
Signora Falfalini ?"
"Then why did you not become one ?"
Inquired.
" Because ma had such au objection to
any thing Of public character. She felt
that should be demeaned by so doing,
and advised me to content myself with
contributing to the qualification Of my
friends at home. You have never heard
me sing, I think ?"
had at times heard shrill voice in
very high key, as sat in my room which
had struck me as far from agreeable. l
thouht it best, however. without mentioning
this, to utter simple negative.
" You must not expect much,' continued
Sophron;a, my voice is wild and uncul.
tivated. Ma is always telling me that
ought to devote more attention to it but
can never sing except when the nspira.
ton seizes me. IF you will come to NOR.
row evening l will sing for you if you
would like"
expressed my thanks for this disinter.
ested kindness, and, as the concert was
now finished proceeded to escort the lady
home.
As we were making our way through
the crowd, it CHANGED that some one, ac.
cidentally or otherwise, jostIed my com.
panion.
She Immediately seized my arm convul.
sively and informed me that she had been
insulted.
"Who did it ?" stammered I, for con.
fess my courage is not of the highest
order
In reply Sophronia pointed out tall
gentleman with q very fierce mustache,
who was standing at little distance.
Mentally deciding that it might not be
prudent to have an alteration with such
person, ! hastered to assure nv com.
panion that it must have been an acci.
dent.
mo" said she, very decidedly. at
was not an accident. 1t was intentional.
| wish you to demand an apology in my
rame'
Don't you think it would be better"
said |. in great embarrassment, to treat
him with silent contempt p
Sophronia was by no means of this
opinion.
Accordingly approached the gentle
man, who appeared still more formidable
on a nearer view and askei-in what was
intended to be resolute tone-what he
meant by insulting the lady under my
charge"
"Sir-r-r," he calculated, wheeling
sharply around.
l repeated my request in fainter tone,
and suggested that trusted it was acci-
dental on his part.
Stroking hiS mustache very fercely he
informed me that he had no explanations
to make-that if wished to hear from
him at any time l should have an oppor.
tunity, and forthwith presented me his
card.
Without stopping to look at it skunk
away in the crowd and soon reached home.
Ny companion intimated that she sup
posed | should seek satisfaction in the
usual way.
l said something indistinctly-I am
not sure exactly what and very thank.
fully took leave of the fair Sophronia in
the entry.
Reaching my chamber, examined the
card which had been placed in my hand
and found incribed thereon the name Of
Captain Achilles Brown, Astor House.
Very probably he was distinguished by
the same qualities which characterized his
great namesake, and it made me shiver
even to think of conflict with him. Re.
solving that would at least take every
possible means to avoid it, / went to bed
and sank into a slumber disturbed BY
frightful dreams, in which | fancied nv
.lE rl..N II