The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-02-09
No. 684.

IN the enchanting realization of the pink crepe,
floats Ikea summer cloud before the brilliant
pier glass, and that friend to fairness sends
back a full triumph to her inquiripg gaze.
Another hour, aud the tide Of life pours in.
Moustachiod chattering, deafening mnsic,
hoarse voiced men, owvoiced mammas, gig
Cling girls, simpering widows, and iabbering
old msids, all mingled in the universal hubbub.
What tide of life it is-the blonde, the satin,
the jewen, that cover over those weary hearts.
Why neea there ever b masked balls? Is not
society itlelf q mask? How many young ladies
will go home from Nins's ball, who are not dis
gusted with the mask, and disguised with the
beggarly elements Of their own hearts and like
Cinderella sit down in the dusky chimney cor
ners Of their own discomfort, and the hateful
rags Of selfabasement. -. I4.
Apart from all this din and strife, sits our
little dove-colored Cowslip, unnoticed and un-
known, overwhelmed amid surging crinoline,
half overturned now and then by the humping
walters, pinched and damned on all Sides
weary with silent watching of the mandy PANTY
Irritation, and dizzy with the whirling and twirl-
ing of the dance; sick at heart with the super
ciious dandyism which stands on her toes and
offers no apology, she at last Turns her face to
the wall +. conceal the thick falling tears. There
is great black picture of Samson Agonistes
sn the w,H, which serves for theme of alb.
sorption and while her simple heart is relieving
itself in this poor luxury, she hears some one
whisper, This little oddity seems immensely af
fecied by Samson's bald head" She had hoped
no one noticed her, and now what could she do.
There was no chance of escape with her swollen
eyes; she could not face her tormentor, and the
sense Of a,eing ridiculous was rending her very
soul WITH bitterness. $780,, s.f...1 ash
Sweet i7rimrose dignity, Heaven help thee
the gulf Betwixt Dives and Lazarus was not
broader snd deeper than that between thee and
coxcomb impudence thy timid eyes dream not
OF apology. Does the PROSTATE chick-weed, torn
up by the root from the pot of the lordly came
liza, demaad courtesy of the gardeners knife
One is born for the rich mans parlor, and the
other for she shady lane of life and it is cruel
infatuatiSp to imagine that they can sympa-
thize. Gsd himself hath decreed the boundary
line between the lilies of the valley and purple
and fine snen. .E.i A..
Supper is announced; the great buzz moves
along the brilliant passage, and down the curved
stair way its crescendos and diminuendos filing
the whole house with its tumult. Presently the
ballroom is deserted by all but the little dove
colored egure, who seems riveted to the spot
where she has stood for the last hour. Fly, Cow.
slip seek thy own chamber, forgotten one, aud
there in darkness and silence weep thy lonely
tears, recall the days of patient forbearance
with thsre noisy school-children, let loose on
thy peaceful home during the heat and toll OF
harvest; calm myself with the recollection
of the caicken-pies and choicest fruit served
up on tie grand occasions when purple and
fine linen hath vouchsafed q passing visit on
the way to fashionable resort think of the
wasted days of dressing dollies for little home
sick Nina, beneath those dear old sheltering
oaks. Sweet thoughts, are they not2 Press thy
cold fingers to thy hot eye-balls, force back the
sickeninE vision of ingratitude. Presently, min
istering angels fan thy throbbing temples into
quiet, with gentle dreams Of the husband arm
once mofe around thee, and the weary heart ia
| at rest. ........ ..-.... L.. 3D..
Next Iaorning, at breakfast, they say to Cow
slip, why, cousin Hetty, what on earth be
came ofsyou at supper-time We lost sight Of
you entirely; there are always SO many unrea
sonable people TO look after in society, people
who are pever satisfied without especial atteu
| ton. tits great bore. We hoped you would
make Yourself at home. Did you pass pleas
ant even.ng2" Poor Cowslip cannot trust her
self to raise her eyes, but repliesrs - hel
saucer, . that she had retired early, as late
hours do not suit country people" "Yor
were quite excusable. We thought you would
feel at liberty to do Just as you were
disposed" Keep back that swelling sob
don't ge3 up scene; there is nothing more
ungenteel; swallow thy scalding coffee the
struggle will soon be over !; another sunset viii
find thes in thy own sweet pastures, never
never to be torn away, until called to mingle
will last thee the rest of thy life.