Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-01-08
AN EVENTFUL DAY.
RECEIVING CONGRATULATIONS OVER
 AN ENGAGEMENT.

A Pleasing Ceremony Which Is Observed
 In Some Families-Tom and Sybilla Are
 Petted and Patted by Uncles, Aunts and
 Chums-The Happy Hour Alone.
 Tom and Sybilla are engaged, and the time has come when their friends are to pay their compliments.
 On the eventful day Sybilla is ready to receive her congratulatory callers, a picture of blissful loveliness in what her dressmaker describes as an "an- nouncement gown." It is not all of white, for that would be too bridelike, but there is skirt of snowy embroid- cred crepe hsse, and over that long empire coat of white satin, brocaded in pale pink rosebuds, with a waistcoat of silver embroidery on pink satin and a cravat of old venetian point. Deep ruff hes of the same lace fall over the hands and almost hide the diamond which ev- erybody wants to see. Gloves are out of the question. Some ultra fashiona- ble girls may wear them, but not Sybil- la, who feels that it would be wicked to conceal so much splendor.
 Add to this charming frock the wear er's shining blond hair, her big blue eyes, her lovely color and the happy smile that plays round her mouth un- consciously, and who can wonder that she makes picture fetching enough to send all the old maids of the family away signing with envy and regret, and to fill her former admirers with desper- ate resolutions of becoming damp un- pleasant bodies' in the Charles?
 The next younger sister sits at the tea table, promoted for the first time to that responsible post, impressed with her new dignity of a Psyche knot re- placing the schoolgirl braids and the immediate prospect of coming out, now that Sybilla is disposed of. There is constant stream of visitors. Congratu- lations are hearty, though they are ex- pressed with little variety. Tom, half proud, half embarrassed stands by her side, taking all phlegmatically from the fearful blessings of his aunts to the jests and rallyings of the fellows from the club who have come primed with the usual jokes intended for just such occa- sions. Now and then he steals glance at Sybilla, whose blushes seem to have burned themselves in indelibly, and breathes an unconscious sigh of satis- faction.
 Yes, he has certainly made a very good choice. So far as looks go, there is hardly a girl in town who can hold candle to her; her figure particularly is enchanting, and she wears her clothes, simple CD as they are, to perfec- tiOn. As to character, they have al ways hit it off admirably, and as their tastes are the same there is no earthly reason why they should not be at the be- ginning of long and very happy com panionship. At the same time he realizes all the joys of bachelorhood he is re- nouncing. Already he has felt per ceptible coolness in the warmth with which the feminine portion of society receives him, for he is no longer eligi- ble and surrounded with the becoming halo which invests a possible husband. He is left out of many jolly little par ties of shooters bound for the cape, and tho fellows who are laying plans for the salmon fishing next year are leaving his name out of the question. Then, too, as if by tacit consent. We'll, to be sure, just then he will be busy furnishing the house he means to build for himself and Sybilla and thinking of more seri- ous things than rod and reel, but on the whole she is worth all he gives up, and as their eyes meet again and he sees her loving heart in her, he thinks himself little better than cur to have yearned, even for a moment, for the flesh pots of Egypt.
 The nearest and dearest of the rela- tives have been asked to remain for din- ner. The house is en fete, and the long table in the dining room looks as if royalty were to be entertained, with all the best silver, glass and china dis played-maidenhair and La France roses, pink shades for the candles and a menu which proves clearly that the cook has realized the importance of the occasion and means to outdo all her previous triumphs. Sybilla, as the ob- ject of honor, sits at papa's right hand, and Tom, who had cried out upon eti- quette, insists upon taking the chair next her. The old aunt opposite has vague notion that he squeezes her hand once or twice under the table, but her eyes are dim and her glasses poor, so it remains forever unsettled.
 A great deal of laughing and talking goes on from oysters to ices, and then there are to be speeches. Papa rises and begins it. The uncles follow with good wish" and congratulations, so cordially and tenderly expressed that all the aunts sniff audibly, and mamma disap- pears behind her handkerchief, not to emerge for a good 10 minutes. Tom says a few frank, manly words which cause him to be regarded with open fa vor, and then they all adjourn to the drawing room again, Sybilla and he bringing up the rear and lingering a moment in the hall. Both look little confused when they enter, and the fam fly discreetly forbear to engage either in conversation at once.
 There are singing and playing, and by and by carriages begin to roll up out side. It is time for the aunts and un- cles to go. The pretty niece who has done so we'll for herself is kissed until she blooms like peony, and Tom comes in for so many hearty handshakes that his fingers fairly ache, but at last it is all over, and they are left by the fire in the parlor alone.-Boston Eerald.
 A Fatal Swelling.
 At Eau Claire, Wis, negro tramp crawled into a car of lumber bound for P,1rl;DptoD To opd law down oD ion