Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-05-31
An Affair OfHOnOr.

All n LloIl vi lkOiIOk
For five-and-forty years / have borne
the name Of Peter Smith. Though you
have never heard of me, l flatter my
self that my family name will be famii-
lar 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 10 save me some ten
years since from becoming involved i'm
an affair of honor. Let me tell you
who it happened.
At the time of which | speak l was
an inmate of Mrs. Jones' family. Iuse
the word advisedly, since it was well
known that Mrs. Jones never took
boarders. In fact, she expressly gave
me TO understand that her only in
ducementin taking me was the pleasure
she expected to derive from my society;
that she was far above mercenary con-
siderati0ns OF course L felt fiattered
by the compliment thus insinuated,
though | confess / was somewhat sur
prised, since all mercenary considera-
fions were disclaimed, to be charged a
higher rate for board than l ever paid.
Still | did not demur, feeling certain
that had at length found home.
Let me describe Mrs. Jones, my host
ess. Physically speaking, l should say
that she came of great family, her
proportions being most aristocratic. In
her demeanOr towards me she was al
WAYS very gracious and condeseending
for which felt properly grateful. She
always came to the table arrayed in
stiff satin, the very rustic of which be-
trayed her consequence, and impressed
me with my comparative insignificance.
Mrs. Jones has daughter, by name
Sophronia. In external appearance she
was quite unlike her parent, being ex-
ceeding 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 temerity TO call her a
svlph. L do not know much about
Sylphs. never having seen one to my
knowledge: but L question much
whether sylphs have red hair, or noses
with an upward tendency. 1 have my
doubts also as to whether sylphs squint.
Still am far from denying that Miss
Sophronia Jones was sylph, since that
belief evidently afforded her satisfac-
ton.
MIS- was
adapted for valatudinarian. There
he would find no dishes of unwhole-
some richness-nothing indeed that was
calculated to induce excessive eating.
If, as some physicians have declared,
health is best preserved by always ris-
ing from the table with an appetite, L
was never in a fairer way to secure its
blessings than when enjoying tie gen.
teel insufficiency of Mrs. Jones's hos
pitality.
About month after my arrival con-
versation turned at the dinner table,
upon concert which was to be given
the same evening by Signora Falfalini.
| have a poor memory for Italian names
but this is the name, to the best OF my
recollection.
81 wish L could go, ma" said the fair
SOphronia-
$50 You could, my DEAR" replied
Mrs. Jones, elf you had gentleman
protectc--"
Thereapon she began to disclaim
against the customs of society which
preclude a Iady's attending a place Of
amusement without a gentleman, Ia
menting that Sophronia had on this ac-
count been more than once debarred
from gratifying her exquisite taste in
music.
Of course 1 could not in politeness re-
frain from Offering my escort, although
| should thereby be prevented from at
tending the weekly meeting Of the club
of which / was a member.
Sophronia was in great confusion and
she could not think of troubling me.
| began to hope that she would not,
but the mother quickly silenced scru-
pies by saving that she was a silly girl
(thirty-five if she's day., and that she
must not think of refusing.
Sophronia made no further objections
and had the pleasure of paying high
price for a couple of tickets.
Nature not having bestowed on me
musical ear. could enter but indiffer-
emily into the rapture of my companion
who pronounced Signora Falfalini's s
singing divine, although she considered
her quite deroid of personal attractions.
The signora being built after the same
model as SOphronia, L quite agreed with
her i'm this bit of criticism.
1sDo you know" simpered my COM
panion, confidingly, 81 have myself
thought at times that l was designed
for prima Gonna or an opera singer
like Signora Falfalini?"
.'Then why do you not become one ?"
enquired.
.sBecause ma had such an objection
TO anything of public character. She
felt that / should be demeaned by so
doing. and advised me to content my
self with contributing to the gratifica-
ton of my friends at home. You have
never heard riie sing, think?"
had at times heard shrill voice. in
a yery high KEY, as l sat in my room,
which had struck me as far from agree
able. / thought it best, however with
out mentioning this, to utter simple
negative.
"You must not expect much," con-
tinued Sophronia; ''my voice is rough
and uncultiyated. Ma is always tell
ing me that ought to devote more at
tention to it: but / can never sing ex-
eept when inspiration seizes me. If
YOU will come jim tomorrow evening l
will sing to yop, if you would like"
expressed my thanks for this disin-
terested kindness, and, as the concert
was finished, proceeded to escort the
lady home.
AS we were making our way through
the crowd, it Glanced that some one, ac-
cidentally or Otherwise jostled my CON-
paniOn.
She Immediately seized my arm con.
vulsively, and Informed me that she had
been insulted.
"Who did it?n stammered L; for l
confess my courage is not of the high
est order.
In reply Sophronia pointed out a
small gentleman with a fierce NOUS
tache, who was standing at little dis
tance.
Mentally deciding that it might not