National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-05-05
THE FALL or UTIF.
BY GEORGE ALFRED rowSsAsD.

BY GEORGE ALFRED rO"AskND.
The reception at Secretary Flakes was
at its height. Bland Van, the President
of the nation, had departed with his boys
the punch bowl had been emptied nine
times; and still the cry from our rcpubli-
can society was, Fill up"
4 pair of young men, unacqualnted with
each Other pressed at the sane time to
the punch-bowl, and Jack, the chief ladler,
turning from the younger, clerk in civil
dress helped the elder, a tall naval officer,
to a couple Of glasses. The clerk, young
Utie who was somewhat flushed, addressed
the chief ladler and remarked:
You d-n Niger, didn't you see my
glass ~
"SCc it, sah I've seen it seval times
aio, dis evening""
B ack Jack then received the current
allowance of curses for lis color and his
'lpudence, all of which he took meekly,
till the officer, Lieutenant Dibdo, interrupt
ed on the negro's behalf:
It's none o. yo affair, | reckon !" cried
Ctie sulenly.
The man had no intention OF sighting
You, said Dibdo. you have been drink
ing too much, boy, and your coarscness is
coming out"
A fresh crowd of thirsty people pressing
up at that point gave Jack his opportunity
to cry Room around dc punch bowl p
And the disputants were separated and
squeezed by the promenading tides into
different rooms,
The officer presently forgot all about it,
but not so young Ute, who was partly
drunk, entirely vain, not gentleman by
nature, and outraged that anybody had
dubbed him "a boy" He sought the side
OF fine young girl, the daughter of the
chief Of the bureau where he was employed,
and with whom he was in love. She was
attred in the free costume of republican
Feceptions-bare arms, low dress giving
ample display to the whtest shoulders in
the room, and fine natural hair dressed
with flowers. Every gentleman who passed
her during The evening had looked his
homage freely - old beaux, digntaries,
oiheers foreign deputies, rou6s-; nd as she
"f society, nothing discomposed her.
Robert she said, with part of a
glance, as Ute rejoined her, you go to
The punch-bowl too much. You reflect
upon me, sir. Besides, heard you quar-
remg with that handsome officer. ! am
lying to know him. Who is he 7"
Ute looked viciously up, anger and
jealousy infaming his heated face, for
n'nough he had no engagement with Miss
Nldeau, he conceived himself her future
sultor. But some rash words that he said
against the officer were scarcely heard by
.he selt-possessed beauty of official society,
cecause Just then the Young officer and a
hle'd were approaching them. She dropped
per eyes when she met Lieutenant Dibdo's
oold glance Of admiration, perhaps in order
uot 10 be privy to the more searching look
win which, like gentleman of the world,
ue ran over the fine points of her plump
youy as be passed. But young Utie seeing
.ne offender Of moment ago taking such
aruent and leisurely survey of the girl
Tluer Tl his care, turned pale with hate
me oiilcer did MT notice him at all
aosorbed in the fire colors, eyes, and pro-
portions of Miss Rideau, and this further
outraged Ute, who-to his credit be il
ISld-had Wf only modest thoughts for her
mnen he saw, however, that she looked
81 'eI i, the manly figure and naval gilt of him
'ne protane eyes, as if to return hi,
aauillratlon, the intoxicated boy dropped
h. viii horsewhip that powder monkey p