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THE ROMANCE or GEDARVILLE.
into close contact with my harum-scarum pro-
pensities, I could plainly see that they were fre-
quently paralyzed with amazement. They had
never dreamed of such things: and I began to
think that the placid faces could never discard
a look of surprise. Not that I did anything
really wrong or improper; but I was young, and
full of life and spirits; I did not weigh my words
before I spoke, and I did not stop to consider
whether Mrs. Smith would like this, or Mrs.
Jones approve of that. The consequence, of
course, was many ridiculous scenes; and while
respecting my relatives’ goodness, I used to laugh
in secret at their walking-on-eggs style of pro-
ceeding.
- 8o little were the inhabitants of Cedarville
given to dissipation, that a visit to tea wae a great affair; but as strangers were unusual sights, various stiff-looking people called and invited me to their houses. These invitations were always accepted for me by my cousins; and early on the eventful afternoon, cousin Rachel would don a brown silk dress, fastened at the neck with a brooch of hair surrounded with emall pearls, while cousin Etta appeared in a grey silk, fastened ditto.
‘The conversation at these companies invari- ably turned upon a Dr. Slingworthy, who was, it seems, a widower with three or four children; and whose wife's sister, Amanda Tibbits, (I be- came quite familiar with his name,) was ‘keep- ing house’ for him. What combustible materials were these for a country village! The topic ap- peared inexhaustible; and I was amused at the variety of opinion expressed upon the subject. Some thought that it was highly improper in Amanda to stay—others, that it was perfectly natural for her to look after her little mother- less nephews and nieces—others descanted upon Dr. Slingworthy’s admirable qualities, and pro- nounced the woman at whose feet he Iaid him- self, and his four children, a fortunate one— others, again, declared that Amanda was a trea- sure, and that a man might think himself well off to get her.
“From all that I could gather, it appeared to me a very suitable match; but Miss Tibbits had now ministered to the little Slingworthys for two years, and things remained just as they were at first.
Idon’t believe,’ said one lady, impressively, ‘that it would ever enter Dr. Slingworthy’s head, he’s such an innocent kind of a man.’
“He’s a dreadfully absent-minded msn,’ rejoined another, ‘if that’s what you mean by innocent, A man who will go into the street, as he does with only one stocking, and send my Mary Jane red beans that were given to him for seed, instead of calomel, don’t know what’s best for him—and somebody ought to put it into bis head, for it’s my belief that Amanda likes him.’
“Mrs. Grimby paused, and her speech evidently made an impression on the company.
“I fell to meditating upon what seemed to be the romance of Cedarville; and as I had seen the two principal figures, I began to take quite an interest in it. Miss Tibbits was a tall, delicate- looking lady, with a mild, colorless face, not young, but quite refined and interesting in ap- pearance; and Dr. Slingworthy reminded me of a gigantic owl, auch a look of concentrated wis- dom was on his face, which had the ‘far-off ex- pression’ that characterized Mrs. Jellyby. He was one of those aggravating men who are always looking at nothing; and what Mise Tib- bits saw in him I was at a loss to imagine. But perhaps he was one of those rough, excellent characters like ‘Bear,’ in ‘The Neighbors;’ and I thought that if she did like him, it was a great pity that he had not the sense to appreciate hor.
“‘Miss Tibbits had called after my arrival; and, one day, to my great delight, cousin Rachel and cousin Etta announced to me that it was time to return the visit.
«But very solemnly was I prepared for the ceremony. I was warned that it was very possible the doctor might be visible, and on no account must I, by word, look, or action, testify to the slightest knowledge of any remark mado in my hearing respecting the two.
The doctor is very peculiar,’ observed cousin Rachel, ‘and it would be a sad thing, as sister Etta says, if any one, by thoughtlessness, should spoil the whole affair. Do be careful, cousin!’
“They addressed me most frequently as ‘cousin,’ perhaps because it was unpleasant to pronounce my atrocious name.
Siater Rachel!’ exclaimed cousin Etta, in an almost animated manner, ‘what a dreadful thing it would be if cousin Flint should forget, and call Amanda Mrs. Slingworthy. You know that you are apt to do such things, cousin,’ she continued, turning to me, ‘but do, pray, remember that she is Miss Tibbits—the doctor is so peculiar!
“The unwonted anxiety of the two worthy ladies fairly made me nervous; aud when I thought of encountering the doctor, who was ‘yo peculiar,’ this uneasiness increased. We nll set forth with solemn faces, and I devoutly hoped that the doctor would not be visible; while p confused idea of the sister-in-law aa Miss Sling- worthy, Mrs. Tibbite, and everything but the right designation, bewildered my brain.
