Year: 1861

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know how.


For some days after my arrival at the
farm, my curiosity had been much excit-
ed by the young ladies upon one school
mate of their own, May Stevens, by name,
who was, according to their highly-colored
account, the most perfect thing in the
shape of woman then living. l tried
to persuade myself that nothing in that
line could surpass Netiie and Carrie, but
still the reputation of this May Stevens
haunted me, and came like shadow
across my newborn passion. / formed
at last, an imaginary May Stevens, and
do what l would the figure was with me.
Al last was worked into an agony of
curiosity, and trembled with some great
purpose which should bring before me
the object of my thoughts and of the two
sisters continued conversation. In what
this would have ended it is impossible for
me at this time to say, had / not one
morning, as / entered the breakfast-room,
heard the startling words from Nettie:


"And so she is coming at last. I'm
so glad"


Whether it was the train of my tho'ts
upon that point at the moment, l can not
say, but l knew directly the whole mat
ter. l saw Carrie with an open letter in
her hand, and, coupling it with Nettie's
words, knew that the hitherto only heard
of May Stevens was about to become a
reality. had no need to ask questions.
All the information was proffered. May
Stevens-the Incompatible May-was 10
spend month at Hyatts, and they were
to expect her at any moment, though, as
the letter read, she might not be down
for week to come. A week-it was an
age, century, and l was in futtor of
excitement. My long standing passion,
of nearly two weeks duration, for Carrie
was forgotten in an instant, and my whole
mind was absorbed in making the best
figure possible before this new queen.
With this idea l began 10 look into my
wardrobe. l had come down with suffi-
ciet clothes to answer all ordinary purpo-
ses, including, of course, Carrie and Net
tie; but this new goddess was certainly
worthy Of new rig on my part, and GER
tainly should have it. This resolution
was made within fifteen minutes after
hearing the announcement of her intend
cd coming, and before two hours had
gone by, was whizzing on my way to
carry out that resolve. My choicest NOR
sci of wardrobe should be offered at the
shrine of May Stevens.


had absentcd myself on the plea Of
sudden memory of a business neglected,
and faithfully promised Nettie and Car
rie that the next day should see me down
at Hyatts again, to stay out the month
that May Stevens, the wonderful, was
about to pass with them.


The racking of brain that day to ere
ate a grand assemble of costume-some-
thing beyond all criticism, that should at
first glance strike the beholder with ST.
lent admiration-was indeed terrible
The labor of writing "Paradise Lost
was nothing to it. 1t was early in the
day when l arrived at my city rooms,
and for six hours | dressed and redress
ed, compared and rejected and selected
and at the end Of that time / had laid
out those portions of my wearable goods
in which | had decided to make my first
appearance before May Stevens; it want
cd still several hours 10 sunset. Having
got through the great object of my visit
| thought it would not be bad idea fol
me to take the last train and return the
same night to Hyatts, instead of remain
ing over till morning. No sooner sale
than done. l packed my habiliment'
and away went, whizzing and putting
over an uninterested road in provocatior
of sleep. So ! found it when the shade!
of evening fell, for to the best of my rec
objection, l was in the very midst of ,
dream; in which May Stevens was attir
ed in book muslin and pale blue satin
appeared on purple cloud and admiring
ly inquired who my tailor vast Just a.
l was about TO inform her there came ,
crash, and for moment | was not certain
whether it was the cloud that had explod
ed, or myself that had torn some portion
Of my apparel that was overstrained. 1
required but moment TO awaken me I,
the fact that both presumptions wer'
wrong. 1t was our train-2 :26-tba
ran off the track, smashing things gener
ally, and spilling the contents Of severa


baggage cars along the road, 10 say moth
ing Of frightening half a hundred pass
engers into condition bordering on lu
racy. This was pretty state of things
and TO make il still worse l was eigh


miles from my destination, though as j
,afterward appeared, not a mile from tn


next village where, | heard it canvassed
a tavern, supper and beds could be had


/ was disposed to make myself agree
able, and accordingly rendered all the as
sistance in my power to the unprotectet


females, for which got my reward on ar


irving at the haven of refuge-the prom


ised tavern--by being informed that sucl
a thing as bed for the night was an i'm


possible idea, and that with some twent,


more of the male gender, 1 must be con
- IL Al i