The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-08-09
THE BALL AT DlTHMAR'S.

The name Of Dithmar had been known il
il almost from its foundation ant
members OF that family had filled with homo
many responsible positions in its gifts. A
the time Of which | write the head of the
family was one Joseph DiIhmar, u retired
manufacturer of about sixty, gentleman o.
culture rs well as fortune. Mr. Dithmar',
household circle, besides himself, then con
sSte0 Dl ms wife, by some years his Junior
lbs son Arthur, young man Of twenty, and
two daughters, Helen and Mary Helen was
tWenty-slK, and though by no means llfavor-
. Cd, babe fair always 10 remain Spinsler of
her own yOitiOn
Mary, on the contrary, though much young.
rr, than her sister did not share this strange
aversion to marriage, and that was, perhaps,
,hc reason that ! had maintained for so long
my acquaintance with and my friendship for
me laMlly. Mary was the belle of "
ind well mcrtcd the position on tie score
both o. personal and intellectual beauty. She
hIi numerous gentleman friends, as was
natural but non, thu. really considered my
rivals.
There Was indeed d certain Harry Duff
s3l' Of OrunlCss, fashionable popiniav-
who asplred to her favor, but his prctensions
s.Ntatcd 80 ridiculous to me that did NOT
eve either INN or them much thought or con
s.iera.ion; Besides had old Nj Di,hmars
favor, and that went long way toward
strengthening my position and my compla.
cclCy. Mary too, seemed 20 lean toward nv
side
Til, was the state Of affairs when one dav,
"a The winter of 1867, received an invitation
10 "a ball at Dithmar's. Now, this invitation
WIS nothing uncommon, but the fact that the
note was written and signed by Mary Dth-
nap herself was signihcanl--at least 80 |
thought.
Time wore on, and at length the cvcntful
evening OF the hall came round, and was in
my room al home dressing myself for the Oc.
gasion.
suddenly the door.bcll rang, and in mo.
Mon after the servant announced that Mr..
Dun was below, and wished 10 see me.
lie came into the chamber and threw him
,n,t heavily down in an easy chair, stretching
his L"r, ont upon the carpc, in front of him
~. resting hi, hands by the thumbs in the
JCm.hyle, OF his WaistcOat
was shaving, and as turned round, razor
b. lend ! saw that Mr. Duff was flushed i'm
u.r iace and lad evidently been drinking
deeply ! was astonished, for knew thai he
t., .d been invited to the ball
simpson" said Duff, in thick tones, been
.D i.unctpariy, and miscalculatcd capacity.
I-a., go 10 ball, and SO ca..n 20 pair oil with
g.t.
"Dua,' said ], advancing half way into
.Bn Intervening space between us, my good
i'.J", you are out OF your senses, DO YOU
l1InH that we are member, Of Congress or
UG:'Cd states Senators :"
Il don't think anything Of the kind -" lac re
f'iet with = drunken laH-h. but want 10
pair oF with Won"
- INST ! was rather amused ii the situa-
ton, and talked soothingly TO the man, but
n lrnz I'll, my stock Of patience growing OK.
Aaus:cd, | became slightly angry; and turn.
ing abruptly from my visitor. continued my
Preparations for departure whor
III ,oa nave beei per is in duty boun
,ld If by pairlnyi'ape whose editor inlbIbC
lie To stay avon the administration udde
Caus% , ecu words, Birds of feather" &c.
Won" -