The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-06-03
Ny First Proposal.

ga faint heart never won fair lady"
has become settled truism; but whether
q strong heart ever won a coquette, is
problematical; yet, as far as I am con-
cerned, will endeavor to solve the ques.
tion.
The dulluess of the summer months in
the city induced me to return to my native
town. l had been absent for several years.
and longed to visit once more the scenes of
my childhood, and enjoy the pure air and
the fascinating idleness of the country. 1t
was in the quiet and sober village of
Pelham, that l met with the heroine of my
story.
had been in town but few days, when
the quiet of the village was sensbly dis
turbed by a rumor that Mrs. Beals was to
give party, for the purpose of introduce
ing her niece, Miss Polly Shivers Such
an uncommon occurrence formed of course
the all-absorbing topic of conversation,
and various were the rep rts circulated re-
garding the young lady who WAS to form
the chief attraction of the evening; but all
agreed that she was an heiress, and disen-
gagged, A residence i'll the city for several
years had softeped the natural uncouthness
of my manners, and given me degree OF
confidence necessary to figure in society,
and this confidence was rendered doubly
strong when thought of the insignificant
rivalry l should meet among the village
beaux; so l fully resolved to monopolize
Miss Shivers, and, if possible, gain her af-
fections.
The evening for the party arrived, and
III order to create an overwhelming sensa-
ton, as well as to give evidence of my city
| breeding, Irepnired at late hour to Mrs.
Beals, and, of course, found the whole
company assembled. Opposite the door
were seen dozen young ladies' standing,
arm in arm, watching for the entrance of
each party, while another group W ere tell
ing fortunes, or looking over some soled
engraVings. The village beaux clustered
about the door, keeping at respectful dis
tance from the ladies, their countenances
betraying the will TO do, but not soul to
dare.
Miss Shvers was standing in the recess
of window, listlessly gazing on the scene
around her, but without appearing to par
tcipate i'll the gayety of her companions.
Her person was rather beyond the common
size, OF perhaps I should say it was a very
uncommon size, and she would have been
vulgarly termed feshy. Her hair, the
color of which might have been poetically
called auburn, but which, in plain prose,
we will describe as sunburnt yellow, was
dressed smoothly back from her forehead,
and gathered into knot on the crown of
her head over which gilded comb stood
stihiy up like gravestone in desert
could never discover the color of her
eyes, but they must have been very attrac-
tive, for they were continually looking at
each other from over the bridge of her
nose-which, by the way, offered but
slight obstacle-so that the lady would have
been called, by malicious person, cross
eyed. have often heard of transparent
skin, and brilliant complexion, but never
exactly understood the meaning of the
terms, but I should not say that Miss
shivers had transparent skin, though her
complexion was very brilliant, and beauti-
fully reflected the lights in the room, and
shone conspicuous above all others.
The lady was dressed in white satin,
gayly ornamented with dounces, lace and
ribbons, and the dress showed off like a
newly painted house, and WAS as stiff as
chiselled drapery. An enormous gold
chain hung from her neck, to which was
attached watch of no very delicate di-
mensions, the dial of which being exposed,
it was very useful TO her neighbors pair
of long white kid gloves covered the lower
part of her rather muscular arms, and finely
contrasted with pair of most inveterate
red elbows.
Now, dear reader, you have before you,
as well as my feeble pen can describe, the
belle of Mrs. Beal's party.
Though Miss Shivers was not very pre-
possessing in her appearance, the ten thou
sand dollars which found she had in her
own right, induced me to be introduced to
her. But will not weary the reader by
narration Of the numerous fattering atten-
tions bestowed upon the young lady, or
the significant remarks which those eivili-
ties occasionsd among the guests; suffice it