The Van Buren press., 1875-01-19

ced to the company"
Yes, SIR" said she, and taking my
arm we were soon mingling with the gid
dy throng.
1t was not many minutes before ! was
acquainted with every lady in the house
prided myself on my dancing, under
stood the "Laueers," the girls said l
could waltz divinely," was good in a
" Mazourka," but was at my best in tho
LA Vesouvienne | had to dance but
one quadrIle; after that had no difficult
ty in securing partner. | asked Ada to
dance the last named dance with me. The
floor was soon cleared, ani the band del
uged the air with the exquisite music of
that dance. With my arm around her
waist, her beautiful hand resting on my
elbow, and her dear little head just reach
ing my shoulder, was in delirium of
unearthly exstacy. rs We gracefully glidedl
through the delightful movements OF that
supcrbest of dances Applause greeted
each of us as we took our seats. After
this | watzed, polkaed and schotisched
till was tired, and then | sat down among
bevy of young ladies', and slipped of
the chalice of pleasure which their pretty
faces and sparkling eyes presented to my
lips. After pausing awhile to rest my
self, mingled again in the swaying mass
of loveliness. | never, IN my life, saw a
gaycr company Flashes of wit from
sweet lips made answer to CLEANS of hu
NOR no less brilliant My ewn efforts at
pleasantly, did not lack appreciation.
Never came repartee so readily or
smoothly to my lips, as henin the crowd
that surrounded me, | saw the beautiful
fsce of Ada Williams
She had charmed me, and | became, as
most young men do under similar circnm
stances, very slave to every whim.
There were scores of elegaat ladies in
those spacious parors, and yet among all
this mass of exquisite loyeliness, no face
was SO beautiful, no eyes 50 sparkling.
no voice SO musical, and no countenance
of more angelic mould than hers
She was magnicently attired. wearing
a crimson satin dress, trimmed with deli
cate silver fringe 1t was cut with low
neck and short sleeves, which displayed
the most chastely rounded arms, and
a snowy, white neck and shoulders, !
knewn no earthly bliss like that which en-
tered into, and completely took possess
ion Of, my heart, as | glided with her
through the giddy mazes OF the fascnat
ing" redowda" Her pretty face was so
pear mine that | could feel her warm
breath fan my cheek felt her heart beat
responsively to mine. Her soft and tiny
hand nestled confdingly in my own. !
had often stepped to the stately music OF
this exquisite dance, with many Lovely
lassic, but never had the bliss been SO su
pcrnatural as that which | experienced
with A da in waltz or oaotisebS or polka.
The supper came at last, and merri-
ment presided over the feast. The table
was ladened havily with everything that
the most fastidious cpicure could crave.
and fairly groaned beneath the weight OF
luscious viands that did bespread it, 1t
was not possible that this grand fete
should end without the presence of the
swarkling wine. 1t was there, methought,,
as my iempter, but no powers of persua
sion could make me recrcant to my vows.
Supper was over, and all repaired to the
parlors So far ! was safe.
Dancing was again resumed, but it had
now become wearying, and large mum
bers gathered around the card table,
where ladies and gentlemen played for a
&" small stake" to make the game inter.
esting.
And this fashionable gambling was
practccd by men and women who would
look with contempt upon the man who
makes gambling his profession. If ga
ming is wrong at all, it is AS much so in
the parlors Of the rich, in their small
risks at the card table, as in the gilded
saloons Of the professionals, when thou
sands Of dollars are staked upon the tur
ming Of card
Here came another OF the flcndish vices
Ia again test my resolution. | would not
allow myself to &C near where they were
playing, but at safe distance, among a
group of friends, | enjoyed myself in
pleasurable converse
1t was fashionable. in the upper ten
dom parties to pass around champagne
about an hour after supper, and ut this
moment negro came near our group,
bearing waiter with half dozen goblets
and couple of bottles OF this luscious,
sparkling liquor, upon it. Ii had any
preference for any kind of wine or drink
it was this loved it AS did no other
beverage, and as the negro shook the
bottle, the cork popped out, the odorous
liquid foamed over its top, and was as
eagerly welcomed by me, as is the bub.
bling spring to the worn and wasted
traveller, tormentcd with the agony Of
fearful thirst. 1t was the worst temp,a.
tion had been the victim Of since my ar
rival in the city, and | turned away from
it tremblingly The wine was poured
out, and the members Of our little circle
each took a goblet, leaving one for me.
"Why, Mr. Parker said one Of the
Young ladies, "are you not going to
drink a glass Of wine with usI'
81 never drink anything, Miss Carrie
| replied firmly
"Wine will not hurt you, ! am very
sure" she replied firmly.
"No, no replied the chorus of fair,
ones.
ladies" said calling to the task all
my resolution, 81 cdnnor and do not urge
me to drink =
"Why, Mr. Parker, You treat us real
mean not to-" replied Miss Carrie, pout
ing her pretty lips.