Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-01-22
THE BALL AT DITHMAR'S.

The name of Dithmar had been known
} in N almost from it's foundation, an(
members of that family had filed with
honor many responsible positions in it.
! gift. At the time of which 1 write, the
head Of the family was one Joseph Dith
mar, a retired manufacturer of about six
ty, a gentleman of culture as well as for
tune. Mr.. Dithmar's household circle, be
sides himself, then consisted of his wife
by some years his junior; his son, Arthur
young man of twenty, and two daughters
Helen and Mary. Helen was twenty-six
and though by no means ill-favored, babe
fair always to remain spinster of her own
volition.
Mary, on the contrary, though much
younger than her sister, did not share this
strange aversion to marriage, and that
was perhaps the reason that had main.
tanned for so long my acquaintance with
and my friendship for the family. Mary
was the belle of N, and well merited
the position on the score both of personal
and intellectual beauty. She had numer
GUS gentlemen friends, as was natural, but
none that I considered nay rivals.
There was, indeed, a certain Harry Duff
"a sort of brainless, fashionable popinjay-
who aspired to her favor, but his preten-
sions appeared so ridiculous to me that ]
did not give either him Oh them much
thought or consideration. Besides, had
old Mr.. Dithmar's favor, and that went a
long way toward Strengthening my posi-
ton and my complacency. Mary, too
seemed to lean toward me. lfe Vi
This was the state of affairs when one
day, in the winter of 1867, 1 received az
invitation to a ball at Dithmar's. Now
this invitation was nothing uncommon
but the fact that the note was written ane
signed by Mary Dithmar herself was signi
| ficant-at least so thought 81
Time wore on, and at length the event
full evening of the ball came round, and
was in my room at home dressing for thu
occasion. ie
Suddenly the door bell rang, and in {
moment after the servant announced thai
Mr.. Duff was below and wished to see me
I peevishly cursed Mr.. Duff for his un
seasonable intrusion, and then directed
the girl to show him up stairs. Il
He came into the chamber and threw
himself heavily down in an easy chair
stretching his legs out upon the carpet il
front OF him, and resting his hands by the
thumbs in the armholes of his waistcoat.
[ was shaving, and as l turned around
razor i'll hand, saw that MI. Duff wa
flushed in the face, and had evidently beer
drinking somewhat deeply. [ was aston
ished, for | knew that he too had been in
vited to the ball.
Simpson," said Duff, in thick tones
"been to dinner party and miscalculatet
capacity. Can't go to ball, and SO come t,
pair off with you.''
''Duff, !" said l, advancing half way int,
the intervening space between us, I'm,
good fellow, you are out of your senses
Do you think that we are members of Con
gress OF United States Senators?"
81 don't think anything of the kind,'' h
replied, with drunken laugh, s'but Ivan
to pair off with you.''
At first was rather amused at the sit,1
alton, and talked soothingly to the man
but at length, my stock of patience grow
ing exhausted, I became slightly angry
and, turning from my visitor, I abrupt
continued my preparations for departure
When was ready to go, said to Duff;
''lt you have been fool l can't help il
and if by pairing off you mean that yo
want me to stay away from Dithmar's to
night because you have made an ass O
yourself, I tell you frankly that l do no
mean to crafty you.''
held the door open as 1 spoke, and ha
in hand waited for him to get I'D.
) He old not move ....s
duff, " said I, don't you see Pm wait
ing for you.''
But the heat of the chamber had bee
) too much for him, and even as [ spok
Duff's head sank forward upon his brea.
he was asleep. [ left him where he wal
and telling the servant not to disturb hill
went to the ball.
The sisters never looked more beautifl
5 or appeared to greater advantage than o
> that night, and Mary especially shone
brilliant star.
At length supper was over. 1 had a.
companied Mary to the room and from i
IS and was standing with her again in til
q ballroom apart from the rest. We wei
: conyersing in whispers. What we said
will not repeat; it is enough to say that