Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-11-15

end OF the room to commence on and
choosing the Carrie Brooks side, he event
in. The first two or three he got pretty
well; the next one was harder, and by
the time he cot through his hair was ruff
fed and his shirt was unrufflcd his dicky
broken down, and the bow OF his cravat
under his left ear, and huge drops Of per-
spration stood on hi, forehead lie
had done his work nobIy and kissed every
girl in the room.
The next forfeit was Joe Budd's, to re-
deem which he was ordered to stand out
in the room and repeat verse of poetry.
Now, Joe was not man OF letters, al
though he was clerk in the Post Office ;
and he knew nothing about poetry. lie
hcstatcd and then walked forward, and
after scratching his head moment deliv-
cred the following -
lhe Pilgrim Fathers. where are they:
In silence and IN fear
They still roll in the bay. as they rolled that day
With their hymns of lofty cheer,
In early childhood Budd had learned
by heart the two poems of Mrs. llemins,
on the Pilgrim Fathers; but it was so
long since he had repeated them that in
his confusion he got the two mixed to-
gother.
\ loud burst of mirth from the assem-
bly, caused the dscomfitci Budd to re-
treat to his seat. The idea of the Pill
grims still rolling in Massachusetts, Bay,
was sufficient to keep the company merry
for acme time Then Susy Clark had to
make a plough - with George Devy,
and Mark Adams was hidden to read one
OF Artemas Wards letters aloud without
laughing, which Of course he couldn't do,
50 the Julsa excused him after few at
tcmpts.
AL this time Eli sat in fear and TIE H.
bling. his rel baulanna remained untou IL
ed and he hoped that something would
oeeurr to disturb the game before the for
trit was proclaimed. At length all We're
disposed Of but his Carter held it u
and said :-"'Fhs is the last forfeit, u
-entleman's what shall he do to redeem
it >"
Now, Srth Pike, the judge, had been
wondering where Eli Goddard's hantllcf-
cheit' was 50 when he heard that thi-
was the last forfeit he felt very sure it
was Els. He had reserved for him Il
task which he knew from experience was
a hard one to perform, especially to any
one DISPOSED to dill lencc. 50 he sentenced
Goddard to chow to the wttiest, kneel to
the prettiest. anil kiss the one he love |
best" Els heart beat violently. How
could he perform sleh a task before such
L room full How should he dare to kiss
Carrie Brooks in pa5lir assembly, when
he had never been courageous enough to
attempt such thine i'll private? and he
would not kiss any one else, for that
would not be acting the truth, aud Ell
WAS very strict on matters OF truth. lie
lid not know what to do; all eyes Were
turned towards him, anl every one was
calling for him to redeem his pledge He
made an effort and stood N, when to his
great delight the servant announced that
supper was ready. Mrs. Baldwin re-
questel the gentlemen to take partners
fox the suppey-room AMI it was decided
that Eli should redeem his forfeit after
wards.
As usual Oh such occasions, all the
pretty girls Were secured By the most ex-
pcricnecl party-goers, anl the young, tim.
i'll gentlemen had TO put uP with what
there was left. Fortunately Eli was
quite near to Carrie, and to her he offered
his arm. On their way to the room he
found that he was cut OF step, and in
hopping to get into step, he trod on SA-
rah Blakc's dress, who was in front, and
ripped it nearly Off the waist. While
stopping to apologize and find a pin to
repair the damage the crowd passed and
when Eli reached the door with his fair
companion, they were obliged to station
themselves on the outer edge Of the en-
Gle, near the door,
The table presented dazzling appear
ance Pyramid, of blanc-manga, and
monuments of ice-cream lowered above
ramplrts of nice Jelly and charlotte y@se !;
sponge cake, stewcd oysters, nuts, apples
aud oranges, were placed in admirable
confusion The gentlemen were expected
to help their partners so II, asked Car
ric what she would like she s"'d she
should Ike some steWed oysters ana
some frozen pudding Poor f,ll was COM
pletely nonPIusSei. lie had heard oil
oyster stew, and knew them by sight but
as for frozen p"fd'Rg he dld not Know
what IN the world that could be; but ne