Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-03-21
THE PROFESSOR ON PARTIES.

THE PROFESSOR ON PARTIES.
IN Ine Aprii number OF the Atlantic Monthly
DIR: Holmes, in his professors Story. - gives
a charming and elaborate account of a nnsS1tv,' S
gwen by one of the rich citizens of RockIan2-
1ne T type OF the modern New England village.
Inc Professors descriptions and observations
are 100 good for US to pass by without extract.
ing. Hezekiel Sprowle, the host, it should be
known, Is retired country merchant, who is
dlgnifed with the title of Colonel, and the
party Is given on the occasion of Miss Matilda
oproWle coming out"
WAITING FOR COMPANY.
AT half past o'clock, the Colonel, in cos
tune, came into the front parlor and proc ceed ed
TO light the lamps Some were good bumored
enough and took the hint of lighted match at
once others were as vicious as they could be:
would not light on any terms any more than il
they were filled with water, or lighted and
few sparks and sulked themselves out, or kept
up faint show of burning so that their ground
glasses looked as feebly phosphorescent as 80
many invalid fre-fies. With much coaxing
and screwing and pricking, tolerable illumi,
nation was at last achieved. At there was a
grand rustling of silks, and Mrs. and Miss
Sprowle descended from their respective bow
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
"alked ABOUT the parlor, inspecting his regi-
ment of lamps.
"Hush,n said Mrs SnrouIo {. ,h.o,, A.
bell.'' '0i' 'ne
Everybody took position at once, and began
10 look very smiling and altogether at ease.
False alarm. Only a parcels of spoons loaned
as the inland folks say when they mean lent,
by a neighbor.
Better late than never" sBid the Colonel;
let me heft them spoons"
Mrs. Sprowles camc down into her chair "a
II all her bones had been bewitched out Of her.
I'm pretty nigh beat out already, said she,
"before any of the folks has Gomez
They sat silent awhile, waiting for the first
arrival. How nervous they got. and how their
senses were sharpened
"Hark" said Miss Matilda, "whats that
rumblin'?"
Itwas cart going over a bridge moro than
mile OH, which at any other time they would
not nave heard. After this there was Iull.
and poor Mrs. Sprowle's head nodded once OF
twice; Presently cracking and grinding OF
gravel How much that means when we are
waiting tor those whom we long or dread to
see Then change in the tone of our gravel
cracking.
"fes, they have turned in at our gate. They
are comm: Mother! mother"
Everybody in position, smiling and at ease
ylsltOrS
Event OF the Season has begun
HOW GENTEEL FOLES EAT CAKE.
The elder Miss Spinney, to whom Widow
Leech made remark, assented to it, at the
same time ogling piece of frosted cake, which
she presently appropriated with great refine
ment OF manner, taking it between her thumb
and forehnger, keeping the others we'll spread
and the little finger in extreme divergence
with graceful undulation of the neck, and 8
IN har
that wanted to get out and perished in the at
tempt.
ICE CREAM IN THE COUNTRY.
There is something so audacious in the con
ception of ice-cream, that it is not strange tbat
population undebauched by the luxury o.
great cities looks upon it with kind of awe
and speaks of it with certain emotion. Thi
defiance OF the seasons, forcing Nature to Dc
her work OF cOngelation in the face of her sui
triest noon, might we'll inspire a timid minc
with tear lest human art were revolving agains
the Higher Powers, and raise the same scru
pies which resisted the use of ether and chic
roform in certain contingencies. Whatever
may be tho cause, it is well known that the an
nouncement at any private rural entertain
ment that there is to be ice-cream produces al
immediate and profound impression 1t ma,
be remarked, as aiding this impression, tha
exaggerated ideas are entertained as to tn,
dangerous effects this CONCEALED food may pro
duce on persons not in the most robust health
There was silence as the pyramids of ic,
were placed on the table, everybody looking
on in admiration. The Colonel took a knife
and assailed the one at the head of the table
When he tried to cut off a slice, it didn't seen
to understand it, however, and only tipped, a;
if it wanted to upset The Colonel attacked il
on the other side, and it tipped just as badly
the other way. 1t was awkward for the Cole
mel. Permit me-" said the Judge-and he
took the knife and struck sharp slantine
stroke, which sliced off piece just of the righ
size, and offered it to Mrs. Sprowle This ac
of dexterity was much admired by the company
The tables were all alive again.