Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-06-22
The gtptp Tellet.
AN AFFAIR OF HONOR.

AN AFFAIR OF HONOR.
For fve-and-forty years have borne the
name of Peter Smith. Though you never
heard of me, Aatter myself 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 how it happened.
At the time of which speak, was an in.
mate of Mrs. Jones family. 1 use the word In
mate advisedly, since it was well known that
Mrs. Jones never took boarders. In fact she
expressly gave me to understand that her only
inducement in taking me was the pleasure she
expected to derive from my society; that she
was far above mercenary considerations. ,Of
course felt Aattered by the compliment thus
insinuated, though I confess I was somewhat
surprised, since all mercenary considerations
were disclained, to be charged a higher rate
of board than I ever paid. Still, l did not
demur, feeling certain that I had at length
found home.
Let me describe Mrs. Jones, my hostess.
Physically speaking, I should say she came
of a great family, her proportions being most
aristocratc. In her demeanor towards me
she was always very gracious and condescend-
ing, for which I felt properly grateful. She
always came to the table arrayed in stiff sat-
in, the very rustic of which betrayed her con-
sequence, and impressed me with my compar-
ative insignifcance. ... ....-.....,. :. i.
Mrs. Jones has daughter, by meSophro-
MIA. In external appearance she was quite
unlike her parent, being exceedingly tall
snd slender; while the other is exceedingly
short and dumpy. In copy of verses which
she was kind, enough to show me, some enthu-
siastic young man had the temerity to call her
sylph. I do not know much about sylphs,
never having seen one to my knowledge; but
I question much as to whether sylphs have
red hair, or noses with an upward tendency.
I have my doubts also as to whether syl lphs
squint Still l am far from denying that
Miss Sophronia Jones was a sylph, since that
belief evidently afforded her satisfaction.
Mrs. Jones table was admirably adapted
for valetudinarian. There he would find no
dishes of unwholesome richness-nothing in
deed, that was calculated to induce excessive
eating If, as some physicians have declared,
health is best preserved by always rising from
the table with an appetite, I was never in a
fairer way to secure its blessings than when
enjoying the genteel insuficiency of Mrs.
Jones hospitality.
About a month after my arrival, converse
ton turned, at the dinner table, upon con-
cert which was to be given the same evening
by Signora Falfalini. I have poor memory
for Italian names but this is the name to
the best Of my recollection.
II wish I could 60, ma" said the fair
Sophronia. '....:". -. .''.y ..'
$50 you could, my DEAR. replied Mrs.
Jones, "if you had gentleman protector"
Thereupon she began to declaim against
the customs of society which, preclude lady's
attending place of amusement without a
gentleman, lamenting that Sophronia had, on
this account, been more than once debarred
from gratifying her exquisite, taste in music.
I OF course could not, in politeness, refrain
from Offering my escort, although l should
thereby be prevented from attending 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 scruples by saying
that she was silly girl (thirty-6ve if she's a
day, and that she must not think of refusing.
Sophronia made no further objection, and
had the pleasure of paying high price for a
couple Of tickets. .:'..'h :i;>4 .''. ~;:."' IL -
Nature not having bestowed on me mu-
sical ear, I could enter but indiferently into
the rapture of my companion, who pronounced
Signora Falfalini's singing divine, although
she considered her quite devoid of personal at
fractions. The Signora, being after the same
model as Sophronia, Iquite agreed with her
in this bit of criticism. .-1 - .-.i:r,. -. .
"Do you know" simpered my companion
con6dingly, II have, myself, thought, at times,
that was designed for prima donna, or an
opera singer, like Signora Falfalini ?"
"Then why do you not become one 7" in
quired. ".''. =. - '': '.'''''f@ $3.50 ..''
Because ma has such an objection to any
thing of public character. She felt that
I should be demeaned by so doing, and ad.
vised me to content myself with contributing
to the qualification Of my friends at home.
You have never heard me sing, think"
had at times heard shrill voice, in q
very high key, as sat in my room, which
had struck me as far from agreeable. l
thought it best, however, without mentioning
this, to utter a simple negative. ....
"You must not expect much" continued
Sophronia; "my voice is rough and unculti-
vated. Ma is always telling me that ought
to devote more attention to it uut can new
er sing except when inspiration seizes me. If
you will come tomorrow evening, will sing
to you if you would like" ......
1 expressed my thanks for this disinteres-
ted kindness and, as the concert was finished,
proceeded to escort the lady home.
As we we're making our way through the
crowd, it chanced that some one accidentally,
or otherwise, jostled my companion.
She Immediately seized my arm convulsive-
" and informed me that she had been insul-
ted.
"Who did it?" stammered I, for confess
my courage is not of the highest order.
In reply, Sophronia pointed out small man
with fierce moustache, who was standing at
little distance. ........ -: ..... .....
Mentally deciding that it might not be
prudent to have an alteration with such a
person, I hastened to assure my companion
that it might have been accident.
,"No;" said she, very decidedly. ut was
not an accident. 1t was Intentional. wish
you to demand an apology in my name"
Don't you think it would be better" said
I, in great embarrassment, ito treat him with
contempt?"
Sophronia was by no means of this opinion,
Accordingly approached the gentleman, who
appeared still more formidable on a nearer
view, and asked, in what was intended to be
a resolute tone, "what he meant by insulting
the lady under my charge?"
0S;r rr" ha GIN culate1 as he tnrned sharn.