Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-01-28
CHAPTER SIXTH.

manner. are not what they were, and |
gagements, would prevent your retain
ing kindly feeling towards one whom
she hesitated, One whom | once
loved said Mr.. Westbury, finishing the
sentence for her. Yes, you well know l
| once loved YOU
'Once?' interrupted Miss Eldon. But
this is mans Gdelity.'
Miss Eldon, you astonish me- said
Mr.. " estbury. 4 am married, my wife
| commands my Respectfully, my admire
ation--and duty, honor, everything COM
mands that all former ties, however ten
der, should be broken. Our happiness,
our respectfully demands that hence
forth we be only common acquaintance
BE it SO, farewelp said Miss EIdon
with her irrepressabIe bitterness of OK
preston, and snatching her hand from
beneath his arm, she sprang forward and
took that of her brother, who had just
issued from the parIor.
is that, can that be Maria Eldon?'
thought Mr.. Westbury, the amiable, the
feeling, the refined Maria? Where has
my love, my admiration, my passion for
her gone? or rather, by what blindness
were they at first excited? Does she
wish to retain-nay, does she claim the
heart of the husband of another? What
perversion of principle is herer
The crowd ut the door was by this time
nearly dispersed. And Mr.. Westbury
advaAced to the trio that still remained
near the bust, drew his wife's arm with
in his, and bidding Mr.. aud Mrs. Eve
leth good night led her to their car
riage.
How have you enjoyed yourself this
EVENING" Mr.. Westbury enquired, as
soon as the carriage door was closed, aud
the coachman had mounted his box.
Quite as well as do at scenes of
similar character Julia answered.
DO you not then relish society,"
Not very well, in such large masses,'
said Julia. To my apprehension, very
large parties counteract the purposes for
which social feelings were implanted
within u.s.
Then YOU disaprove as well rs disrel~
ish them 2 said Mr.. Westbury.
Il fear they are not quite innocent
said Julia. so far as my observation
has extended they have little tendency to
increase benovoIence, or any of the finer
feelings of the heart. | have often fear
ed that vanity and thirst for admireation
were the causes that draw together one
half of the crowd, and a. vulgar love of
Injuries the other
These causes surel y do not influence
all those who attend large assemblies,
said Mr.. Westbury. Such persons as Mr..
and Mrs. Eveleth, for instance are en-
tirey above them
'UndoubtedIy,' said Julia. Still be-
lieve the rule as general as any other
Docs not the elegant and instructive
conversation of snch man as Mr.. Eve
leth reconcile you to the crowd 2 Mr..
Westbury inquired.
Certainly not, said Julia. How
much more highly such conversation
would be enjoyed how much greater
benefit derived from it, in small circle.
Artificial delcacy and refnement-art-
ifcal feeling-artificial good nature
artificial friendship, arc the usual com
pound that make large companies. Had
Mr.. and Mrs. Eveleth spent this evening
with us in our quiet parlor how much
greater would have been the enjoyment!
how much more profitably the time might
have been occupied
1T might said Mr. Westbury. Mr.
Eveleth has great colloquial powers. His
conversation is at once brilliant and in,
structive. | know no gentleman who
equals him IN this Particular
Il cannot say quite as mach as that
said Julia though he certainly conyerses
uncommouIy WELL
who can you name that is his equalf
asked Mr.. Westbury.
Julia hesitated little and bushed a
great deal, though her bushes were un-
seen, as she said
IN conversational! powers, | think my
present companion is very rarely. if ever
sxceled. And why she added such
gentlemen should minge in crowds. were
theirHtalents are in great measure lost,
instead of meeting in select circles,
where they could find congenial minds,
at least, IN some degree capable of ap
preciating them, | cannot, indeed, con
eeive. But | suppose my ideas ofration-
al enjoyment, of elegant society, are very
singular She stopped short fear ng she
was saying too much, but he requested
her to proceed. After moments hes
itation she said: Il think the crowded
drawing room should be abandoned to
those who are capable of no higher en-
joyment than gossip, nonsense. Irritation,
and eating oysters. confections and cream,
and that people of talent and education,
principle and refinement, should associate
freely in small circles, and with little
ceremony. In such kind of intercourse |
new friendships would be formed, and
old ones cemented-the mind and the
heart would be improved, and envy and
detraetion excluded After nm evening