Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-03-22
MY FIRST PARTY.


~ REsEccA
MY first partyp' and in tremor of
delight. Again and again 1 examined
the delicate dress prepared for my debut
Now, for the first time, my childhood 8
curis were gathered into braids. In =
word was thenceforth to be q young
lady--a child no more; the long snticipat-
ed and wished for period had arrived
and the golden gates that opened upon a
long vista of pleasure yet to come, and
were let open for my impatient feet. Ar
ranged for the festal scene, ! was still
standing before The mirror, debating
within myself whether to rearrange my
hair or not; for with womanly instinct,
knew that my hair was, perhaps, my
greatest beauty-for il had most frequent
ly called forth expressions OF sdmi-
ration from others-so had left
it in its natural curls around my face
nesting in green leaves, and yet when
all was completed l feared 1t was
too childish. and was quite undecided
when my mother came into the room.
Her gratified smile AS she entered, told
that she at least was satisfied. She held
In her hand morocco case containing a
necklace Of pearls. This jewel had been
AN object of special admiration to me;
my mother had worn il st her bridal, and
when sometimes wished it were mine,
she had said, when you are o young
lady, Elsie, Will give it to you it is not
. suitable ornament for you now" So
this evening WAS to become the posses
sor of this coveted ornament Opening
the morocco case, shc said, 81 suppose
you expects this now, according 10 prom
Use, and as she clasped il around my
neck added smilingly, ''Isee you could
not quite give up your curis, Elsie." L,
was just thinking Of altering the fashion
of my hair, when you came In. viii do
80 yet IL you wish"
late now. Get your cloak my daughter,
for the sleigh is at the door,"
My first appearances In socia. -ifa. dear
reader, arrived at the place OF our des-
tination my heart sank within me as We
entered the already well-filled parlor.
On such occasions at home. 1 had taken
a seat before the company began to ar
rive, and had not with all my fears, one
thought of my entree, to cross the room
before 30 many people seemed impossible.
l reached our hostess--passed through
the customary salutations -and found
myself quietly seated beside my motner,
without any consciousness how II had
been achieved knew thatI walked
that spoke, all else was blank. Left
to myself for few moments, regained
my composure and with natural currioe-
ity began to examine the guests. Ny
thoughts ran riot through my brain, ss
one by one they passed in mental review
before me andI was deciding upon the
este, or the want Of ii displayed BY each
ts.dtufde al cvrf ~ IN rv,v ooef "a ~
ton, when heard some one say to man.
ma: es
"Your daughter Ms. Lee; any ono
would know her from her resemblance to
you" egsa
These words destroyed all my conf.
dene at once. People were looking At
me, the mere thought was enough, and
then, too, ] must 60 through the formal
introduction to the old gentleman and
listen to some prosy remarks-for speak
,ould not; and l have no doubt my lmoth-
sr's friend thought her daughter . very
stupid young lady. shancr
Fortunately there was another cntree,
aud all eyes were turned 10 the door.
Among the new arrival MAS May Living
stone, the belle and beauty of our village
Exquisitly attired. she entered with the
easy grace of one accustomed to admira-
lion. How l envied her! How all self-sat
isfacti0n vanquished in an instant at
her patronizing tone as she passed MS on
her way TO seat. "Ah, Elsie, you here
My dear Mrs. Lee. glad To see your How
differently she spt ke ~ my motherdR. ad
erI could have cried.
Again our hostess voice fell upon my ear;
Mr.. Dent, this Is pleasure, you thought
you could not come." saw Miss Liy.
ingstone turn quickly at the name and the
blood mount over cheek and brow, as he
answered: Il did think so, but an evening
at your house has 30 many attractions for
me to"-here as he glanced around the
room, his eve met Miss Livipgstone's and
graceful bow to her finished the SEN
tence.
This, then, was the stranger Of whom l
had heard as visitor in our village, and
whose visits were ascribed To the attraction
OF May Livingstone's presence. Iwstch.
ed him as he moved through the room
He bowed to mamma, she knew him, then
l was again lost in q day-dream, in which
Mr.. Dent and Mss Livingstone were
prominent actors. when my attention was
recalled by the words: Most happy to see
you, Mrs. Lee; give me q seat In this
quiet corner. will you not" After an in
PRODUCTION 10 me, Mr.. Dent seated him.
self between US. l listened as he chatted
with my mother; and when after few
Moments he addressed me, quiet forgo
hat was IN company and spent the next
iialf hour pleasantly. Then came thu
summons to tea. Mr.. Dent offered ms
lis arm In the crowd we were separated
from my parents, and Ifound myself seat
ed near the. end Of long table with Mr.
Dent Oh one side of me and slady q stran
ger, on the other side. Dispairingly
looked for my mother, she was seated to
far from me for her presence 10 aid m
In any way. while directly opposite m
sat May Livingstone, who Was evidentl
out of temper, why, could not guetl
Did she not possess everything necessar
for the enjoyment Of such scenef VIII
wae IL.
did not know that to see Mr. Der
even polite to another was sufficient
annoy her at any time. How much NOR
now that he had permitted another
wait upon her, and 10 secure the seat
; her side for supper. But now commen'
ed the intriee of the table. For tin
J all went well, the cloud cleared fro
. Mays brow as Mr.. Dent attended to b.
! wants and addressed much Of his conve
, sation 70 her anof contended myself
listen, was ready To congratulate myse
4 ON my good fortune, when unfortunatel