The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-03-31

ana Try 10 learn, anu not disgrace
all? &c; and here the gallows w,
u once more introduced in prosperity
:. In short, it came to this II
!, Burkenshaws were giving, at Triton
? vile, ball, and in the kindcst ma,
ner had asked me. It was hinte
that it was more than probable tha
my tendency to larcency, burglary Q
!, other crimes would bring disgrace O.
the family and Interrupt the ball ;bu
still the risk would be run, and pre-
vided that I-eshowed extra diligenc
letween this time and that, i nigh
& be allowed to go. -. =. .3,'Sssesss.sa-.o.--fs -
Now VIII be understood the signif
canoe of the unwonted interest in tn
vast tailoring preparations on foot, the
gorgeousness of the blue and silver
| the velvet collar and other superb de
corations. The costume was pushed
on with ardor A sort of private re
hearsal was held the night before, and
was encouraged with the assurance
''that I now locked something like &
gentleman, and that if 1 would only
contrive to believe in corresponding
way should do very faialy.'
do not like to dwell ON tie inter,
val. Suffice it to say that the phrase
in the novels, ''feverish excitement
became quite ineligible to me and
''restlessness" became equally fami-
liar. 1t was at this time also that
Mr.. Blackstone said, looking at me in
reflective way 81 am beginning
to have some hopes of you, Sidney. If
you go on in this way, I may almost
promise that you will begin algebra
next mouth. But" he added, de-
spondingly, ''you won't. The old
Adam is too strong in you" And he
! used the rather alarming argument
'tYou see, my young friend, as you
have shown us that you can apply
yourself, we must keep you to it and
have no excuses in future. And he
rubbed his hands with hilarity, and
looked ct me sideways.
Atlast the morning of the day came
round. The anxiety of that day could
not be described. The dogged slow
ness with which the hours moved pro-
duced a choking at the throat and a
heaviness at the heart. At four
o'clock p. NJ dressing could no long
er be put off, and we began to adorn
our persons. Washing took. a long
time. There was some anxiety about
the extra superfine .iacket,' which
did not arrive until five for, though
we had confidence in the brave artifc-
er, it did seem, in his own dialect,
running it "extra superfne." The
expresses, sent to him twice, returned
with reassuring messages that We
might "leave all to him" 1t came,
after mental agony. I was told that
now indeed was the acceptable mo-
ment to cast off the old boy of sin,
and become, as it were, citizen
getting on to be a man. AT such a
momentous juncture { l was informed)
the eyes of the public would naturally
be directed to person who wears
beautiful blue jacket and jean other
garments in/the case of crime or ir-
regularity, the striking characters of
such costume would attract all eyes,
and fatally betray me.
Dinner-wbo cared for that, it was
got out of the way, which was all that
was wanted. And now John comes
with word that the carriage is at the
door. Oh, agitating journey Oh,
delicious passage! On the box-seat
l could give my burning soul to the
wind, commune with the sea-shore,
along which we journeyed for mile
or so l rehearsed some carefully
prepared speeches which were to en-
chain her; only when Thought of the
fascinating promise and conjured up
her image, even that Imagination
made my voice fi,lter, and chased
away the artful compliment.
Here was Tritonville gate, and over
the wall, as we came up, l could see
two bow windows all ablaze. Family
to our ears was BORNE the sound of a
musical instrument playing for dane
ing, as 1 thought but no, for there
was something like shout, as of a mar
iner giving a cry for aid, and | told
the coachman that was Sir. Cobbe
singing. A private cab drew away
from the bottom of the steps. and two
lovely women, all muslin, assembled. /
saw the shadow of backs tfpoh the win
dow blinds; moving grotesqdsly. 1t
was almost MY first party.
!, The hall was crowded, and locked
up by a heap of hats, cloaks, coats,
and umbrellas eveA-some ohe affect
ing to attach and give numbers; but
that form was soon Abandoned. y
gentleman and lady were sitting on
hall chairs; ''flirting;na was told.
Through tie drawing-room door We
saw hgtircs and more backs and amin
ated faces, and a small lady with a
fan, who tried to get her hand cut.
Mrs. Burkcnshaw, / struggled with
my agitation. was burning to see
the divinity who was consuming my
heart. They were making d space in
the middle of the small room, and MIR.
NEicks, wh5 played at these suburban
parties, tuned pianos and gave lessons
or would have given lessons had he
ever cen asked now hung olt little
rlacard. "Quadrille. Where was
She
There ! i perfect blaze of golden,
amber, glis teffing silk, with blacklace;
never did she look so peerless as she
came to the very top of the quadrilIe,
queen-like, but all engrossed with her
partner-a stout hhafi,' with terrier
dog face, and white waistcoat, a lo-
cufar beast, who was laughihg all the
while and made her laugh. Some i
thing chilled me as lookeh on l
bad not the heart to go Up: And
now Wicks struck up with a thrum,
L ...... ,,lnr;rrr nr ,,nl, rxiAh his hond |