Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-02-05

rer himself, and gave me the most con-
spicuous scat in the room. took the
first opportunity to whisper to him =
"I knew her taste, John, and didn't
want to shame the new waistcoat"
John was delighted with my brocade,
and admired it hugely, said 1t was the
handsomest gown he ever saw, and never
once mentioned the price of it.
Well, the day after the party, John
and | were discussing matters and things,
and John was making me laugh with his
quaint remarks about the party, for, with
all his grave looks, John has droll
tongue, and sees everything. John being
in a good humor, | thought it good time
to broach subject that [ had been think
ing OF for some time. Our daughter,
Mary Ann, was twelve years old, and had
decided taste Tor music; so thought it
was time we should be sending her to get
few lessons on the piano. | had never
dared mention the matter to her father,
for John was very much opposed to edu-
eating girls above their station.
So | thought now was my time; but as
soon as l mentioned Mary AIMS name in
connection with piano, John tnrncd his
back on me, and said -
"You are fairly going to tho mischief
with your extravaganza between one
thing and another" and then he began to
grumbe to himself about its being wiser
for her to learn to wash gown to her
back, or scrub floor, and so on; so l
let him grumble his breath out.
About fortnight later-thnking it
was nonsense to be oyerruled in what W as
right by foolish, headstrong mani
made arrangements for Mary Ann TO take
music lessons, telling her to keep the mat
ter secret from her father. She made
great progress, for, as | said before, she
had decided talent and love for music
About six months later, when Our John
was taking walk with Mary Ann, they
m t very stylish acquaintance of ours
Mr.. Mouro, and to our surprise, we re-
ceived an invitation to attend party at
his housc-you see the Mouros move in a
circle, or may be half a circle, above US !;
nj John was particular y requested to
bring Mary Ann, for number of young
persons were invited, and Miss foung's
company would be very acceptable. Well
of course we went to the party-and a
quiet, cozy one it was-no great display
of iinery, just pleasant company Of pco-
ple who conversed gravely, the principal
entertainment being that the young ladies
played on the piano, and the old folks
listened and admired.
One young lady after another was call
ed upon to play, and saw that it would
soon be Mary AIMS turn. | glanced to
see how her father was looking. He was
very uncomfortable, evidently, getting red
in the face, and unwilling to let me meet
his eye. | knew he was thinking to him
self; "If l had taken my wlfe's advice.
my daughter would have been able 20 ac-
quit herself like her neighbors."
At last Mrs. Mouro came to Mary
Ann.
Nov. Miss Young" she said, "will
you favor US p ,x-,
IL am afraid l cannot" said Mary
Ann.
"Come," said I, you monkey. am
sure, if you cannot. it is not your fathers
fault he has spared no pains to have you
taught. Go! Let US hear what you can
do
Our JOHN looked as il he would have
liked to swallow me at one mouthlul.
never saw him SO angry in his life. He
looked as if he would have said -
Z" oh, my wife, have you fairly forgot
ten Yourself to SO afFront ire in such
company"
"Go, Mary Aun, said I, "and do your
best"
AS Mary Anu yielded obedience to me,
her father tried to stop her. You see he
thought she was going to make fool of
herself; thought she would be like the
man who did not know whether he could
write or not till he tried.
But Mary Ann rather astcnished tier
father, for, before he krcw where he was,
she was seated at the piano, touching it in
a style far surprising the others, for she
played beautifully. When she had play
ed one or two tunes, she began to sing
SANDY hou5er D IdNotite
Ny mither wad ha'e mo we'll merit,
"My mither wad hae me we'll merit"
and our John looked at me as if he did
not know whether he was asleep or
awake.
He was so we'll pleased with his daugh-
tcr's accomplishment, that the very next
day he not only called at the teachers to
pay the half years bill, but he stopped at
a warehouse and sent home one OF the
finest pianos | ever saw. What he paid
| do not know, and it is my opinion that
he is ashamed to tell.
Now you see these are small specimens
of my gcneralship, and the beauty of my
victories consists in the fact that they
were won without any fighting, just by
pure, ingenious, womanly strategy.
never saw man yet who could not be
mana ged, if it was done in the right way,
that is, sober man. Preserve US all,
you, me, or any other reader from having
anything to do with man or woman that
is not sober; for. when people begin to
like whiskey. it's my opinion that the
devil himself undertakes the management
of them, and it's rather difficult work to
take job out of his hands.
AN OFFICER IN THE AEMY WRITES -
At inspection noticed that a large proper
finn of tho pon,s kpansaeks contained n