The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-03-31
AN AFFAIR OF HONOR.

For fve-and- forty years / have borne
the name of Peter Smith. Though you
have never heard of me, 1 fatter myself
that my family name will be familiar to
you. 1 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 ter years
since from becoming involved in an af-
fair of honor. Let me tell you how it
happened.
AZ 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
boarders. In fact, she expressly gave
me to understand that her only induce
ment in taking me was the pleasure she
expected to derive from my society; that
she was far above mercenary considera-
tons. OF course L felt fattered by the
compliment thus insinuated, though
confess was somewhat surprised, since
all meroenary considerations were dis
claimed, to be charged higher rate for
board than / had ever paid. Still L did
not demur, feeling certain that had at
length found a home.
Let me describe Mrs. Jones, my host
ess. Physically speaking, 1 should say
that she came of great family, her
proportions being most aristocratic. In
her demeanor toward me she was always
very gracious and condescending, for
which felt properly gratiied She al
ways came to the table arrayed in stiff
satin, the very rustic of which betrayed
her consequence, and impressed me with
my comparative insignifcance.
Mrs. Jones had daughter, by name
5ophronia. In external appearance,
she was quite unlike her parent, being
exceedingly tall and slender, while the
other was short and dumpy. In copy
OF verses she was kind enough to show
me, some enthusiastic young man had
the temerity to call her sylph. 1 do
not know much about sylphs, never hav-
ing seen one to my knowledge but 1
question much whether sylphs have red
hair, or noses with an upward tendency.
l have my doubts also as to whether
sylphs sguint. Still am far from de-
nying that Miss Sophronia Jones was a
sylph, since that s,olief evidently afford
ed her satisfaction.
Mrs. Jones table was admirably adapt
ed for valitudinarian. There he would
sind no dishes of unwholesome richness
nothing indeed that was calculated to
induce excessive eating. IF, as some
physicians have declared, health is best
preserved by rising from the table with
an appetite, 1 was never in fairer way
eecure its blessings than when enjoy
ing the genteel insufficiency of Mrs.
Jones hospitality.
About month after my arrival con-
versation turned, ut the dinner table,
upon @ concert which was TO be given
the same evening by Signora Falfalini.
L have poor memory for italian names,
but this il the name to the best of my
recollection.
ct wish l could go. ma, said the fair
Sophronia.
$50 You could, my DEAR" replied
Mrs. Jones. elf you had IA gentleman
protector.
Thereupon she began to disclaim
.agrinst the customs of society which
preclude lady's attending place of
amusement without gentleman, lament
ing that Sophronia had on this account
been more than once debarred from
gratifying her exquisite taste in music.
OF course i could not in politeness re-
frain from Offering my escort, although
[ should thereby he prevented from at
tending the weekly meeting of the club
of which was member.
.SophroDia, in great confusion, said she
could not think of troubling me.
j. began TO hope that she would not,
but her mother quickly silenced her
scruplos by eeying that she was silly
girl thirty-five il she's day., and that
she must not think of refusing.
Sophronia made no further objections,
and / had the pleasure of paying a high
price for couple of tickets.
Nature not having bestowed on me a
musical ear, I could enter but indiffer-
'entiy into the rapture of my companion,
who pronounced Signora Falfalini's sing
ing divine, although she considered her
quite devoid of personal attractions.
The signora being built after the same
model as Sophronia, quite agreed with
her in this bit of criticism.
Do you know" simpered my COM
panon. confdingly, CT have myself
'thoueht st hmes that I was DESIGNED bv