The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-01

hearo the tnrob OF dozen well-a tuned instru-
mems, ana already felt the qualm of one who
T Te ne Is stepping upon an unknown sphere
Even now ne was almost determined to retrace
MS steps; but the driver must not suspect. and
SO, with a nervous grasp of the lie Joinville era
va tn ne walked bravely up the stone steps.
.,,+ o .1 Neville His intersection was
man was ushering him into what seemed fairy
iand, glimpse of which filed him with still
greater dread. His card with the broad charac-
.erlstic scrawl, Sam Punchin, when thrown in
the large bronze holder, looked. in Comparison to
the beautifully tinted and scented cards. about
as one OF Dore's weird drawings of a bats wing
would look to the prismatic lights of butter
fys pinion.
Had it been murder case, with the best legal
latent OF the State glaring at him as opponents,
he could have been calm and collected. but this
sort, odofous atmosphere, the shimmering light
and the grace of the fitting women about him,
bewildered him to such an extent that he was
oohged TO clear his throat before he could make
himself heard to the hostess. She was standing
IN regal splendor, attired in creamy lace, with a
punch OF red roses, that seemed to him. in his
confused state. as large as the silk hat he had
deposited up stairs, trembling on the low cor
sage She gave him her hand with
corolaI greeting. She was surrounded with
receiving bevy of young ladies who,
In turn. without noticing his outstretchea hand,
gave low. sweeping courtesy, a la Washington
ana New York style prospective. Here Mr..
X.
seemed years to him before he could get his hand
back to its proper place. What was he expected
to do! Courtesy! He was assisted out Of his
dilemma by young miss, with plump bare arms
and neck. poking her chubby hand through his
arm and saying, "We're all SO glad you came.
Isn't it perfectly lovely" She proved to be the
daughter Of an old client, and as she drew him
away he thought, BLESS her, I'll knock 10 per
cent. off the old mans fee next tme.o
lie changed his mind when she took him over
Od
Here is Mr.. Punchin, ladies, who always
proves so agreeable. / know you will find him
charming. oh. there's Charlie! Excuse me,
Mr.. Punchin.n
Now, he knew this Charlie well. He was a
good hearted little fellow. but insignificant as
the world of men goes. What was there about
him that should make him such a favorite in this
scene? Yet here he was perfectly at home. He
knew just how to say the thing that was agreea
BILE. Away they went down the room, laughing
and chatting gaily behind the huge fan he held
| up before their faces.
Mr. Punchin, of course you adore the ger
man." Now he had been planning in the quiet
of his Office the feasibility of entering politics.
and the straightforward question sent the color
! to his cheeks, yet his education in willy points
| had not been neglected, so he answered.
We'll, can't exactly say adore them, but
have the highest respect for them"
| Poor fellow, he was totally ignorant of the
| fact that the question pertained to society
dance
4
losing the exact purport of his remark in a criti
| cal examination of bewldering toilette right
| in front of her, II shall have brother Bob see
You are present at our next one. Excuse me,
there is Bob now" and away she fitted with a
short little fellow made an inch taller by tuft
of yellow hair combed pompadour
LII Mr.. Punchin had been embarrassed chatting
with young ladies who talked in riddles to him,
ne was doubly so when left standing alone. He
never before realized his height nor felt such a
md feet tho
room seemed suffocating, and slowly the
beads of preparation rolled out of him.
If there had only been chair for him to drop
into but even that was denied him. Once he
attempted to cross the room, and the first step
WAS planted down in the middle of long trail
of white silk and lace. He drew his awkward
pedal back and swore soemnly to himself The
lady smiled savagely and said, In dulcet tones,
shat it didn't matter in the least;p but directly
he overheard her say behind her fan to a ford.
dowager-looking matren, "Oh mamma, that
boor has ruined my dress just to think of it,
right in the middle of those valenciennes
fiounces!"
Just then some Que pinned upon the lapel of
his Prince Albert a tiny silken bell Another
came and still another, until he presented the
| appearance of one of the crowned heads of Eu-
! rope hung with medals There were silver an
| chors, gold pipes banjos, etc., all suspended by
| the daintiest of ribbon. He felt he had staid
| long enough but the experience with the trail
told him the getting-out was even harder than
the getting-in. He looked across the room for
familiar face. If only Neville would appear!
Finally, he espied old Judge Fielding. but that
distinguished and irate gentleman was oblivious
to al his surroundings, being deeply
engrossed in Irritation with an eighteen-year-
old belle, and was at that moment reading to her
the sentimental lines found in bon-bon.
s'Why, Mr.. Punchin! You are quite alone.
You are not having bit good time. Give me
your arm and let us take stroll through the
rooms Have you seen the dancing9 No? Well
T~txr I'D ot~<,4r 600
Walking through the tufted spots of q marsh
was nothing TO the promenade she gave him. It
was not one trail this time but complication of
pink, blue, red, yellow and black ones.
He gave bis whole attention to his feet,
and succeeded in getting through better than he
had hoped 10 do. Once he almost forgot the
occasion, and when convinced there was no place
to STEP came within one of making jump over
three fluffy tulle trails that had evidently met in
conclave but he was prevented from the deed
by the tones of his companion ''Mr. Punchin,
you really are so distracted. Do you see it's
really no mplirnent to TO be oblivious of
my presence' He asked her pardon, Of course, but
soon drifted into watching his feet again This
walk was torture, but it resulted in some good,
for when they reached quiet spot in the hall
he gained courage to tell her he must take his
departure and. as good fortune would have it.
the Charlie she had whisked off with earlier in
the evening came to claim her for waltz Just
at this iuncture the hostess appeared with
young lady. sMr. Punchin, this is my niece.
AS this is her first reception, she does not quite
catch the spirit of society yet Isn't that SO, my
DEAR and, with patronizing tap of her fan,
tie sbeRker left them together.
1t Wis relief for him to meet, in this whirl of
light and music. person like himself, who
could not catch the spirit of the scene.
''She is quite right admitted the young per-
son frankly. Il do feel much out of place. I
wonder if it will wear off. Did You feel so the
first time you went into what is called society.
Mr. Punchin?"
Was she speaking ironically9 A side glance
assured him 70 the contrary. The brown eyes
were watching group of exqusitively attired
ladies' while she waited his answer She was
pretty His quick eye saw it ali in glance.
Young, pretty. and candid, and as ignorant of
social form as himself Like magic the con-
straint of his manner changed into his usual as