The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-07-17
IIY FIRST AND LAST PARTNER.

From Chambers Journal.
Mrs. Major G was known TO most of
the good society of Bath within the last twenty
years as one OF the latest representatives of
The world Of beauty and fashion which existed
Iii George MS time. In her youth she had
seen Galrick, sat to Reynolds and been pre-
sentod to Horace Wapolo la later years she
had helped so make up rubbers at Mrs Piozzi's
card parties, heard the court gossip from Cor
Ueia Knight, and sat silent as all m0rtals were
compelled to do, Unuer the mighty and mao
uiloqUent tongue Of Madame d ArbIy Having
seen and heard so much Mrs. Major .
was great authrdsy III all that regarded the
/ bygone generation. Like most Of the ladies'
she had outived h8r faculties were Kept in
good repair to the last; she was cheerful, So
clai, and IN manner active up to tUurscore,
ready Tor all anuSements, inclined 10 youthful
! dressing, and very determined to have her say.
aIrs. Major c. had been lively all her
| days bit OF coquetto of the harmless kind ;
she had been known to carry on q Irritation in
her seventeenth year, and is additionally said
10 have rouged Tor the last party u which she
ever appeared. The old lady had lived in
good, or rather gay company from her youth
she had seen Bath at the head Of its profession
as Il watering place; she had seen il decline be.
fore nc rising glory of Brighton; but at Bath
her headquarters continued tc be for more than
half century and one Of the traditions OF
the place was shat Mrs, Majag c. had
never been seen at q bali, or known TO enter a
i room where dancing was going on, if she could
/ help il.
I This was a singular Uhim or antipathy fol- a
lady otherwise So lively; yet the tact had been
handed down from her contemporaries, and was
confined by later experience Mrs. Major
C. had never danced, SO far as ANYBODY
a fp ln,f ~
dancing. There were dozen strange tales to
account Tor Il; the most of which had come
cut dt w 0reestershlre, her native country, and
! varied between accidents TO her own toes and
the breaking Of somebody's heart The old Ia
4dy had never thought proper to set her friends
hight on the subject their endcaYors to ferret
cut az explanation had been politely foed at
many quiet ,ea-table and friendly cali Bat
Itew people care TO die with their secret untold
a%d- after sIXty-three years of discreet silence
Mrs. Major C----- chose, in her eightiett
year to reveal her one evening to small qrour
j OF ntImates, youRg and cid, who had gathered
round her genial freside, got into familiar
; talk, and by some accidental words, which
though one OF the company, l did not observe
Fat the time, cannot and recall now, unlocked
tthat dark closet Of the old lady's memory:
II was never at a ball but ouce,n size sale
lsaulng back IN her easy chair, land I never
wanted TO go to another, which You may think
strange, for l was just seventeen when thai
TONE came eff; but it happens to be true, anc
as the folks are all dead and gone that were
l commenced in it, / will tell you tie story
was brought up in the Fort in Dean where my
father was country squire, but unlike tht
? country gentry Of that day; both he and my
mother were s5Eict Methodist. We lived in 1
: line cid hail. PLEASANTLY situated On the side O
/ a wooded hill slipping down 10 the Severn
ne seats and mansions Of the country gentry
lay ali around. They were social in Il Fores
i. then, whatever they may be now there wer,
hunts and picnics. Christmas parties anC
birthday balls. We had always been reckon
ed among The country families, and not one 0
the ietsst consideration, can tell you, for til,
il hail and lands Lad been ours before the Refor
Il nation. The best 81 tGcIn would have beer
q willing to have rs for associates but my ia.
ther and mother considered all spo1ts an,
/ meTry-il2kIugs as so many by ways to tn
. Kingdom OF darkness. No earthly power coul
I persuade the one to join the hunt, or the othe
to appear at anything bat a serious party
~ Aen a company Of strollins playe.s happen
4 ed 10 visit the elghborhood--th were n
other theatricals to be found in the Forest q
that time-they never rested till the whol
EIoOPe ana tA3lr pro1ane devices were gone on
Z OF II Tor some intraction Of parish rules or OF
d ! dnances. Picnics were bad, parties were had
g plays were bad, but By far the syorst-in shor
Il the hIgh read TO Satan, in their reckoning
!. wss ball.
T. = was their only daughter out of seYe
e, schiidren, and much INDUCED in a pious wav
3 yet Ter NE TO mention, much less expect t
attend, such a gathering Of sin as dancin
party, would have drawn upon me the fierce,
indignation, and most abundant lecturing' :
: We had no company at the hall but Wesleya
s.es preachers on their rounds; two or three ser
:, Gus farmers Of the better sort whom my paren
!; called brethren; and couple of reduced gen
5 t:eWohen These last were old maids, an
also dsyout Methodists. and nav mother :,
J. them before my youth as examples that w,
!, Praisewerthy. I have no doubts they wei
eNceie"t sE'men. and moet cert a}Y was ~