Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-04-04
THE PROFESSOR ON PARTIES.

In the April number of the Atlantic
Monthly, Dr. Holmes, in his Professors
Story" gives charming and elaborate ac-
count of a party" given by one of the
rich citizens of ROckland-the type of the
modern New England village. The Pro-
fessor's descriptions and observations are
too good for us to pass by without extract
ing. Hezekiah SprOwle, the host, it should
be known, is a retired country merchant,
who is digni6ed with the title of the Colonel,
and the party is given on the occasion of
Miss Matilda SprOWle coming out"
WAITING FOR COMPANY.
At halfpast seven o'clock the Colonel.
in costume, came into the front parlOr and
proceeded to light the lamps. Some were
good humored enough, and took the hint
OF lighted match at once Others we're
as vicious as they could be-would not
light on any terms, any more than if they
were filed with water, or lighted and smOk-
ed one side Of the chimney. or sputtered a
few sparks and sulged themselves out, or
kept up faint show of burning, so that
their ground glasses looked as feebly phos-
phorescent as so many invalid fre-hieS-
With much coaxing and screWing and pick
ing. tolerable illumination was at last
achieved. At eight there was q grand
rustling Of silks, and Mrs. and Miss SprOr.-
lie descended from their respective bowers
or bOudOirs. Of course they were pretty
well tired by this time, and very glad to
sit dOwn-having the prospect before them
Of being obliged to stand for hours. The
Colonel walked about the parlOr, inspecting
his regiment of lamps.
"Hush!' said Mrs Sprowle, "there's the
bell"
Everybody took position at once, and be-
gan to look very smiling and altogether at
case. False alarm Only parcel of
spoons loaned as the inland folks say
when they mean lent. by neighbor.
Better late than never" said the Colonel,
"let me heft them spoons"
Mrs. Sprowle came down into her chair
again, as if all her bones had been bewitch-
ed out of her.
"I'm pretty nigh beat out Already, " said
she, before any of the folks has come"
They sat silently awhile, waiting for the
first arrival. How nervous they got! and
how their senses were sharpenedl
"HarkI' said Miss Matilda-"whats
that rumblin?"
1t was cart going over bridge more
than mile of, which at any other time
they would not have heard. After this
there was lull, and poor Mrs. Sprowle's
head nodded once or twice. Presently a
cracking and grinding of gravel. How
much that means when We are waiting for
those whom we long or dread to seel Then
a change in the tone of the gravel cracking.
"Yes, they have turned in at our gate. :,
They're comm. Motheri Motherl'
Everybody in position, smiling and at
ease. Bell rings. Enter the first set of
visitors. The Event of the Season has he
gun. |
WHAT FASHIONABLE PARTIES ARE FOR
There was tribunal once in France, as
you may remember, called the Chamber
Ardente," /" the Burning Chamber. It vas
hung all round with lamps, and hence its
name. The burning chamber for the trial
of young maidens, is the blazing ballroom.
What have they full dressed you, or rather,
half dressed you for, do you think7 To
make you look pretty, Of course. Why
have they hung chandelier above you,
all over with flames, 50 that it
searches you like the MONDAY sun, and
your deepest dimples cannot hold shadow?
To give brilliancy to the gay scene, no doubt. :
No, my dear! Society is inspecting you !
and it finds undisguised surfaces and strong /
lights are convenience in the process ,
The dance answers the purposes of the re-
Volving pedestal upon which the white I
Captive" turns to show us the soft, knead- /
which looks as if it had never I
oeen hard, in all its manifold aspects of a
living lovelincss No mercy for you, my {
ovel Justice, strict justice, you shall Ger
ainly havc-neitAer more nor less. For,
oOk you, there are dozens, scores, hundreds, .
Nth whom you must be weighed in the =
'alance; and you have got to the struggle .
or life" Mr.. Charles Darwin talks about :,
caches to vertebre clad in crinoline, as h
Tell as to mollusks in shells, or artieulates :.
n jOinted scales. or anything that fights l.
Or breathing room and food and love in any W
Oat of fur and featherl Happy they who
an fash defiance from bright eyes and W
nowy shoulders back into the pendants of esl
be insolent lustersl n.
now GENTLE FOLKS EAT CAKE. 70
The elder Miss Spinney, to whom Widow b
,eech made remark, assented to it, at the NJ
lme time ogling piece of frosted cake, 81
hich she presently appropriated with great sil
,hnement of manner, taking it between her
numb and fore6nger. keeping the others
ell spread, and the little finger in extreme in
ivergence, with graceful undulatiOn of tn
lie neck. and queer little sound in her ne
lrOat, as of an M that wanted to get out ar
Id perished in the attempt CT;
ICE CREAM IN THE COUNTRY. lit
There is something so audacious in thel We