Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-08-02
A Matrimonial Auction Party.

A very select party congrcgated
at the house of Mrs. Belville to cell
ebrate the birthday of her daughter
the youngest of four-the fair
Henrietta, who, at the time we
write, had entered into her nine
tcenth year. She was beautiful,
accomplished, and, of course, amia-
BILE; although she had no fortune,
she was jewel in herself. But to
return to the birthday party. Hen
rietta played the piano divinely.-
William Pierson, the younger son
of a country banker, looked very
serious as the music proceeded
Mrs. Belville noticed the gravity of
the yonng gentleman, and, doubtless
to divert it, desired Henrietta to
sing. Henrietta obeyed, and sang
in the finest possible taste. Had
she been wound up for the occasion,
like a music box, she could not have
acquitted herself with more preci-
sion, or with less vulgar impulse
Every note fell from her lips as if
it had been chiseled. And then her
execution! Poor William Pierson!
His heart was dragged up and down
the gamut until exhausted, when,
at the last three-minutes' shake Of
the songstress, it fell into thous-
and little pieces.
There was a general burst Of ap-
plause, followed for a moment bv a
profound silence. Mrs. Belvillc
looked proudly at the young bachel-
or, but favored the younger son of
the banker with a look entirely for
himself. In this pause voice cried
out-and it seemed as if accompa-
nying the glances of Mrs. Bel
vile
"Does nobody ofters"
A litter, deepening into laugh,
went round the room, and Mrs. Bel.
vile and Henrietta turned scarlet,
"Oh! ha! hal" observed the man.
ma, evidently restraining excessive
laughter, "that teasing bird, which
Eddie's godfather brought him.
How came it here?" and the servant
was Immediately ordered to secure
the intruder.
But the parrot was a social bird.
and resolved not to leave the party;
hence, after many Intellectual at
tempts to catch it-for its leg,
though weak, had been bound by
some Samaritan-the bird was sui.
fered to remain.
at was downright cruelty to ask,
but would"-thus spoke the bank
er's son-"Miss Belvllc sing his
favorite song, the"
Certainly" answered Mrs. Bel
vile, for her daughter; and the IA
vorite song-we forget its title
was executed with Incompatible
power.
"Your only unmarried daughter?"
observed William Pierson, in a low
tone, to Mrs. Belville.
Gail married except my dear
Henrietta, and | believe it would
break my heart to part with her.
Yes, SIR" said the mother, affected
even by the probability of a separa-
tion-"Henrietta, sir, isis"
"Me last lot, gentlemen, the last
lot." cried the parrot, and the
guests burst into uncontrolled
laughter.
Henrietta, with fine presence Of
mind, struck the keys Of the piano,
and, as though quite unconscious of
the interruption, in a minute or two
was in the midst of furious battle
piece. A
eff l might aspire to the notice of
Miss Belvlle,ns said the bankers
SON to the mother, 81 sincerely hope
that"
"Going for an old song, gentle
men, :" cried tho parrot, and again
its words were greeted with
shout.
"lt is too much-the creature!-
Where could it have learned such
words? Should be sent from the
house" Such was the sentence
pronounced by Mrs. Belville, and
with some little difficulty carried in.
to execution. But the charm of the
evening was gone; Mrs. Belville
was irritated, Henrietta languid,
and William Pierson-whether the
last declaration of the bird had
''given him pause" we do not know
not once, for the remainder of tho
evening, ventured to speak of Hen
rietta. She died a maid, q victim
to the intrusion of truth. What
would become Of the world if truth