The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-09-04
TWO YARDS OF JACONET, OR A
HUSBAND.
[Alantic CLUB Book. 1884,
BY JAMES GORDON BENNETT.

Atlantic CLUB Book, 1884.
81 wish" said Mary Ann, ST had two
yards of jaconet. l want 1t very much to
complete this dress for the next birthday at
Richmond. / want, besides, a pretty large
length OF pea green ribbon. l want fea-
ther-a white feather-to my last bonnet.
want"
''Well, my dear" said Louisa, her com
panion; well, my dear. il seems you have
never enough. Pray how many more things
do you want besides?"
More returned Mary Ann, "why a
hundred more, to be sure said she, laugh
ing; "but I'll name them all in one-I
want husbands real, downright hus-
band"
'.Indeed!'' said Louisa, ''thls is the first
time ever heard you talk of such an article.
Can't you select one from among your many
admirers?'
"a fig for my admirers! I'm tired-Pm
sick, I'm disguised with my admirers. All
come and make silly compliments; one
SAYS, Miss B., how pretty you look to-
day: another is so desperately in love with
me that he can't talk; another is so desper-
a.ely in love with himself that he talks for
ever. Oh wish l were married. | wish
had q husband; or at least two yards of
jaconet to finish the dress for the Richmond
campaign"
Mary Ann B was a gay young, rat
ting creature who had lost her father and
part of her heart at IA She was now II;
possessed fine figure, rather embonpoint;
not tall, but very gracefully rounded off
Her prOtuse auburn ringlets clustered negh-
gently round pair of cheeks in which the
pure red and white mingled so delIcately
that where the one began or the other ended
10 one could tell. Her eyes were dark blue,
but posse ssiDg a luster when lighted up
with feeling or enthusiasm which defied
any one to distinguish them from burn
ing black. Her motions were light, airy
and graceful. Her foot and ankle were
most elegantly formed; and her two
small white hands, with soft, tapering
fingers, were as aristocratic as could be i'm
agIned b. Byron or an Ali Pasha. Since
the death of her father, which was q period
OF about two years or more, she had had
many admirers, several decided offers, and
not a few who had hoped but burst not ven
ture upon the fatal question. She laughed
at their offers, ridiculed her admirers and
protested she would never marry until she
had brought at least hundred to her feet.
For several counties around up and down
the James river she was quite toast among
the young planters
In those days the White Sulphur, Blue
Sulphur and Hot Sulphur springs were not
much frequented; but people of fashion IN
Lower Virginia, the wealthy planters were
Just beginning to csc pc to the Blue noun
tains during the autumnal months In one
of those excursions the party, of which Mary
Arm made a lively member, was overtaken
one afternoon in sudden rain storm at
the entrance of one of the gorges OF the
mountains The party was travelling in
an upeD carriage, with a sort of top resem-
bling that OF gig, to spread out when q
shower broke over them with sudden vio-
Ierce. On the present occasion the leather
top afforded to the ladies very inadequate
shelter from the torrent which fell down
from the dark, heavy clouds above The
frat house they approached was, therefore
truly welcomed. They dismounted, went
in and found several young gentlemen sur
rounding the hickory fire which was crack
ling nerrily on q large, wide hearth.
A young man OF rather modest, easy, but
unobtrusiye manners rose at the approach
of Mary Ann and offered her his seat. She
accepted it with slight inclination of the
head, and a quiet glance at his gen.
able took place a. this interview
but few days after when they had reached
the foot OF one of the mountains which was
appropriated the place of gayety and
fashion, the young gentleman was formally
introduced to Mary Ann as Mr.. C. from
williamsburg in western Virginia. In q
very short time he became the devoted ad
mirer Of Mary Ann-was extremely and
del1cately attentive, and. OF course, gave
rise to many surmises among the match
makers and match breakers of the springs
AT the close Of the season he put forth bis
pretentions in form He offered himself
formally to Mary Ann AS usual, she spent
swhole night in thinking, crying, deliber
ating, grieving. wondering, ans next morn
ing sent him a fiat refusal. SO this affair
which is a specimen of about thirty or forty
she had managed in this way, was considered
closed beyond all hopes of revival The
parties never again met till the moment We
have now reached threw them accidentally
into each others company.
Since the period just referred TO Mary AnI
had considerably altered IN her feelings anc
her views. She had pursued the game o
catching admirers, of leading them on to de
clare themselvs, and of then rejecting. with
tears and regrets in abundance, till she ant
the whole world OF young men become mu
tually Disguised with each other. Yet sh'
had many excellent qualities-was a fast anC
enduring friend, knew as well as any on,
the folly of her course of life; but her ambi
tion-her love of conquest, her pride o
talent her desire OF winning away the ad
mirers of her female rivals, entirely cloudeC
and obscured her more amiable qualities o
head and heart.
How long have you been in Williams
burg. Mary AnnT asked her chere ami.
Only three days, and / have only picked
I'D three beaus What a dull place this is
If is called the classic shade'-the academic
groves Of the Old Dominion, and all tina