Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-04-28
TIE LEyEE IN PROCTOBSylLLE.

Again will call the attention of your read
ers to our village, which. though it has not ex-
panded Except the crnolne porton) in any
great degree, yet the people have expended
round sums in getting up and patronizing
their levees; two of which have been holden
in this town the present winter.
am not to give YOU an extended accoont of
levee in common, for there every one will find
the usual amount of smiles. cake, sparkling
eyes, and pop corn, but will tell you the effect
the above, together with several bowls of oys-
tiers, had upon me. For days previous to the
gathering, the entire neighborhood was in an
uproar,-a team to 90 hear some fruit and
trimmings from the leXt place, was the order
OF the day, and of course no one could refuse,
when the meeting house needs repairs, or the
minister is likely to come short n cool hundred.
and the labor and help of all sorts of fowls is
called into requsiton from the Quail to the
pelican" and after full compliment of Hall
trimming, finger pounding, and tahle-fxing, the
happy evening arrives. With hat in hand and
and heart in my mouth, call for "The lady of
my choice who has pre"iouSlr consented to be
estUrteu 10 -Luvee and artei d.~r,;..s a
couple of dimes at the door, and low bow to
the shadow of the lady just forward, we are
ushered into the Hall, made as light as noonday
by the blaze of a hundred tallow candles, and
as many beamng countenances congratulating
myself that so much happiness was now before
me, all for two dimes Mistaken man, like the
Pilgrim, it was here my trials first began. The
deacon's daughter now approaches and. claims
the privilege of Showing us round TO see the
tables" Of course they were beautifully ar
ranged. Even Solomon in all his glory could
not exceed one of these in beauty and splendor.
One cake in particular attracted my attention
being so tastetully trimmed and courteous
was the lady in attendance, that she even placed
it in my hands, and then, to my surprise, |
learned it was Guess Cake" Didn't burn
my fingers.) Then my lady had to guess, too,
(why can't women let such things alone? SO
it was, and paid the guesses with a quarter,
and it being the first money she had taken, of
course she had no change, and | left the spot,
feeling little lighter at pocket but heavier at
heart. We now listen to the opening speech.
then song, after which, the distinguished
Speaker from abroad appears before us in the
person of John Smith, the blacksmith, who is
a constant attendant at church and "pays well,
who (of course is "wholly unprepared," being
called upon unexpectedly y repeats few SEN
tences he has learned by heart, sits down, to be
followed by the Band who perform their
part admirably" from the Captain down to the
man with the big drum, who looks for all the
world, like boy trying TO knock in the head
of a rum hogshead.
1t is eight o'clock, and supper is announced
to be served in one hour, and to save my money
| at once determined to satiate the appetite of
the beauty at my side with cake, feeling that it
would cost less to fill one than two. then
rushed to the table, passing her liberal slice
of cake, reserving another in my own hands in
case she should get through with the first. And
what is to payP "Only quarter each,' says
the lady, "that is the Ring Cake" Ring
Cake! Indeed | mistook-I-I-that is to
say-all right, Mr. Pelican, YOU may get the
ring-there are only fifty pieces at quarter
each, and the ring is richly worth dollar and
half. By this time piece No. l. was badly
crumbled, to find the ring, and scattered upon
the floor, and getting desperate, piece No.
follows its predecessor. We then sought quiet
corner for n seat, when my companion made
rush toward a strange lady; and after serious
shaking and few reports Ike the uncorking
of beer bottle, was introduced to 'my cous-
ill.," right from the city, or factory, l did not
distinguish which, and then in low, gentle
voice, was informed that this was "sweet
pretty girl" and the cousin was also inform
ed, in so low tone of voice. that l could dis
tinctly hear, that this "dear gentleman was her
beau and would probably take them both TO
supper, (wan't that cool?) To supper we went,
and partly to get my moneys worth, and partly
out of spite, succeeds in putting four bowls Of
oysters in very nnenviable position.
On returning to the hall, we met the Miss
with the "Grab bag" who had such ''winning
way" that, bachelor as was, could not resist.
paid another quarter determined to see the
elephant in full uniform. Lady at my right
dips in first and draws forth pipe loaded with
tobacco,-a very pretty article for young lady,
and now for the cousin at my left who after
displaying good taste in selecting bundle, held
up to view little apron small wondered
what could be done with it. And now for the
Pelican, who plunged to the bottom, and after
selecting good plump package, unrolled it to
the gaze of the astonished crowd. o, horror
blush to relate it. A negro rag baby, and
a single man, with a lady at each side, and
plenty more in front and in the rear Sure
enouge, here was the elephant and / had him
by the horns And to please my companions,
yon will not wonder, | became perfectly reck-
less and scattered the money with profuse
hand. The "Post Office the "Qut," and
other catch-penny games all received their due
share of patronage. The ice was broken and