The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-07-07
MRS. JONES DAUGHTER.


self that my family name will be familiar
to you. am quiet in my habits, and,
believe, not disposed to interfere with the
rights of other men; yet even this did not
avail to save me some ten years since from
becoming involved in an affair of honor.
Let me tell you how it happened.
At the time of which speak was an
inmate of Mrs. Jones' family. use the
word inmate advisedly, since it was well
known that Mrs. Jones never took board
ers. In fact, she expressly gave me to un-
derstand that her only inducement in tax
ing me was the pleasure she expected to
derive from my society; that she was far
above mercenary considerations. OF course
felt flattered by the compliment thus in
sinuated, though confess 1 was somewhat
surprised, since all mercenary considera-
tions were disclaimed, to be charged a
higher rate for board than had ever paid.
Still did not demur, feeling certain that
had at length found a home.
Let me describe Mrs. Jones, my hostess.
Physically speaking, should say that she
came of great family, her proportions
being most aristocratic. In her demeanor
towards me she was always very gracious
and condescending, for which felt prop
erly grateful. She always came to the Ia
bic arrayed in a stiff satin, the very rustic
of which betrayed her consequence, and
impressed me with my comparative insig-
fcance.
Mrs. Jones had daughter, by name
Sophronia. In external appearance she
was quite unlike her parent, being exceed
ingly tall and slender, while the other was
short and dumpy. In a copy of verses
which she was kind enough to show me,
some enthusiastic young man had the te-
merity to call her a sylph. do not know W
much about sylphs, never having seen one
to my knowledge; but l question much
whether sylphs have red hair, or, nose
with an upward tendency. have my
doubts also as to whether sylphs squint.
Still l am far from denying that Miss
Sophronia Jones was a sylph, since that
belief evidently afforded satisfaction.
Mrs. Jones' table was admirably adapted
for a valitudinarian. There he would find
no dishes of unwholesome richness moth
ing indeed that was calculated to induce
excessively eating. If, as some physicians
having declared, health is best preserved
by always rising from the table with an
appetite, 1 was never in fairer way to
secure its blessings, than when enjoying
the genteel insufficiepcy of Mrs. Jones'
hospitality.
About a month after my arrival con-
versation turned, at the dinner-table, upon
a concert that was to be given the same
evening by Signora Falfalini. have a
poor memory for Italian names, but this
is thename, to the best of my recollection.
81 wish could go, ma" said the fair
Sophronia.
$50 you could, my DEAR" replied Mrs.
Jones, "if you had gentleman protec-
tor"
Thereupon she began to disclaim against
the customs of society which preclude a
lady's attending place of amusement
without gentleman, lamenting that So
phronia had on this account been more
than once debarred from gratifying her ex-
quisite taste for music.
OF course could not in politeness re-
frain from offering my escort, although l
should thereby be prevented from attend
ing the weekly meeting of the club of which
was member.
Sophronia, in great confusion, said she
could not think of troubling me.
began to hope that she would not, but
her mother quickly silenced her scruples
by saying that she was a silly girl (thirty-
five if she's day, and that she must not
think Of refusing.
Sophronia made no more objections, and
had the pleasure of paying high price
for couple of tickets.
Nature not having bestowed on me a
musical ear, could enter but indifferently
into the rapture of my companion, who
pronounced Signora Fafalini's singing di-
vine, although she considered her quite de-
void of personal attractions. The Signora
being built after the same model as So
phronia, quite agreed with her in this bit
of criticism.
"Do you know" simpered my com
panion, oonfdingly, Thavemyselft thought
at times that was designed by nature for
prima donna or an opera singer like Sig
nora Falfalini 9''
"Then why do You not become one 2,' |