Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-02-16
For the Spirit Of the Age.
Autobiography of a Basket of Paper
Flowers.

W uSH Hlob L hlCh il oSI, Il hdS u TOlI vi ~
tissue paper, lying in a remote corner OF a N
mandatory. Here ] remained and heard W
and witnessed all the noise and confusion at "
tending the process by which old rags are c
converted into paper, until forbearance gave il
way and | uttered a volley of imprecations
against the venerable personages who snp- n
piled the materials for the operation. But S
what was my modification when one of them S
told me hat | had passed through the same @
modus operandi, and that the rags of which v
| was made were picked up from the door of t
a slOpshop. spent several days subsequent '
ly in deplOring my low origin and unhappy
lot. I
| was at length carefully folded, laid in a /
goods. box, and sold to a merchant, who car
ried me across the briny deep to his residence
in a little village called Murfreesboro' | was
then deposited on one of the shelves where |
could observe all that occurred, and entertain
myself by looking at the pretty goods and
listening to the conversation which took place
between the merchant and his uStomerS.-
This happiness, however, was of short dura-
ton. Although the house was crowded eve
ry day, yet no one noticed me, nor did my
master take me from the shelf for exhibition.
1t mortified me to see every article purchased
and bring a just equivalent to my master,
while ], doomed, it appeared, to live in igno-
rance and seclusion, could never accomplish
any worthy object.
While | was in this state of dependence a
strange lady entered ard looked all around
without finding the desired article. She,
however, in turning to go out, caught a
glimpse of me. Immediately my master
laid me on the counter and commented on
my rich and various colorS. The lady gave
the sum demanded for me and took me to the
door, where she was met by a handsome gen.
tleman who took me in his hand and offered
to accompany her home. The offer was
promptly accepted. A conversation now be-
gins, the true import of which | cannot pre-
cisely understand. II would be denied the
exquisite pleasure Of your company, were it
not | call you cousin. The august Principal
will never know, until you are beyond the
confines of his prison, that you are my be
trothed." The conversation thus continues
until they reach a large yellow mansion. 4
huge bell now sounds loud and clear. The
gentleman hands me to my mistress make
a profound bow and departs. | am now car
:, ried in a large room where are assembled
=, great many young ladies. Presently the Or
> gan sends forth its notes loud and clear
{ Then a portion Of the holy Bible is read an
b, all bow in profound reverence before tn
g. Great | Am. These exercises over, they a
assemble in rooms below and begin to POI
Z over their books, recite lessons, write, and
r ON. Then | knew that | was in a large t
male school.
n For a week | found very agreeable cntc
tainment in watching the girls while The
IS pceped in their books, wrote Down diiicu
Of words in their hands, prompted each 9th
es and practiced various little articles to dccei
their teachers. | began now to think til
W thy trials were over, and to bless my nistrt
so for procuring me SO delightful a situation.
IN Early the next morning | was aroused by t
~ loud tones of the bell. My mistress snatC
= es me from my couch and hastens to
schoolroom where are assembled a great ma
of the young ladies. My mistress now
rolls me, and under the directions of the Ia
of Principal, attaches patterns of various for
to me by means of pins. She now begins
lng; fslt, maic in HRgjecffff- ttdhlfH 11h4Ba BEG IF 6e thff Go He dts S
aE- at last swoon under the insupportable ago
, | found myself. when aroused to console
Nv ness, a Basket of Paper Flowers, on an ele
NY ted seat In a large room, with the richest k
edi- Of embroidery and the most elegant paint
its at my feet. There were many more basil
offlowers, but the Lady Principal pronoun
l' me the most beautiful, and applauded
ems mistress for the skill and taste she had
God played in my construction. Early the 4
ion morning the bell rung unusually loud. S
-, the ample chapel was filled with strange
inc ces. Presently the august Principal app
on the rOstra and announces that the anr
mes examination will now commence. Each
+ to Of the young ladies' is deslrOuS to max
grand display. Some get a sly glimps,
lNc their books, others catch their answers f
friends who prompt them, while a third
cndeavor to distinguish themselves by DIR
ming on the piano and guitar. You must
he gentle reader, think me egotisticaI, if !
by you that the audience neglected all of t
ono TO look at me. Even my old master, who
>, kept me so long on his dusty shelf, was
tranced by my surprising beauty, and
the liyered the most tlattering eulOgy in my
ltcd ence.
sor- For three successive days there was a
crowd who found every moment sonnet
~" new about me to admire. The cmbroi
is rich the paintings are elegant, but
are they compared with the delicate hues
glossy petals of those beautiful flowers
claimed they. They certainly are sup
to any thing | every saw. 70 such pr
as these I listened until my head be,
dizzy, and I thought myself compensate
the severe trials and Affections which |
endured. While | was enjoying these |
ant reflections, my mistress advanced ha
took me from my seat and rudely thrus
into a paper box, which she tightly CT
| next found myself in a large old co,
manson, winch did not suit my idea
ness. | thought, however, that the P
of this secluded place had seen but Iii
the world and would view me with W
and admiration. But alas! my mistres
stead of placing me in some conspi
place, shut Inc up in her bureau dr.
where l was cut of from all commune
with the world. Here for a long, lone
| remained, overwhelmed with grief.
has my mistress wasted her time and S
render INK so attractive, if she intends
weep myself away in this dungeon unnc
unadmired uncared for ? would tina
fates would cut the thread of my life
and terminate my misery.
l heard, while thus lamenting, foo
st en- approach. My prison was then unlocked
taken out and carried to a large room
'ou6h' placed on the centre of a table magnif
'eat- dressed. Presently my mistress, lean
lover the arm of the geutlemau who had carr
: n;co when a roll of tissue paper to the lar
low mansion, appeared. Then a lare
I uea' nue. ofladies and gentlemen, bearinga n
ng low of chandeliers equipped with long white
longer leaves, follow. The parson now advanc