Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 281 pages of information about Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science.

Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 281 pages of information about Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science.
Yes, I have left my own plantation, and am grubbing out a modest and sometimes a rather precarious existence elsewhere.  But for all that, it is more wholesome than mouldering among the ruins of a past that can never return.  The fight has been fairly fought, and New England has won the day.  Germany is up, France is down; Italy united, the pope existing on sufferance in the palace where erstwhile emperors did him homage.  I don’t quarrel with Fortune.  Nay, in many things I dare say the world has benefited by the change.  And so, when I take my children sometimes to look at Crawford’s famous group, I even enjoy the spirit of pride with which they look upon the figure of America, and the zest with which they enjoy the vigorous onslaught of the pioneer on the forest tree; but my own eyes seek the Indian chieftain reclining in mute despair on the right of the group, and I have a strange sympathy with the fortune which his very attitude so forcibly indicates.  Our battle of Dorking has been fought, and, whatever may be the fate of the next generation, all that is left to me of home or of country are the golden drops which sparkle in this tiny glass.”

RAMBLER.

AT A MATINEE:  A MONOLOGUE.

Oh Dear!  I meant to be very early, people do look so cross when you squeeze by them.  I don’t think it is exactly proper, either, when they are men.  Here is my seat, No. 10:  that girl has piled all her waterproofs on it.  Why don’t she take them away quicker? and I wish she wouldn’t grope about my feet for her overshoes.

I never sat right next to the orchestra before.  What a convenient railing to hang my umbrella on!  Provoking it should rain so to-day.  There now! my waterproof is all disposed of, and I know my dress is all right, so I shall enjoy myself.

What a ridiculous girl beside me! Such a bunch of curls!  The two young men on the other side look like gentlemen:  the one this way especially nice—­lovely eyes and moustache.  I’ll look round the house as far as I can without moving.  Can’t see much, though, for I’m so near the front.  Why on earth didn’t brother Bob put me where I could see the people?

Why, there’s Lucy Morris!  I can’t bear that girl:  her hair is almost the color of mine.  A vacant seat beside her, too; so she came with some one.  Wonder who it is?  I hope she won’t see me.

Oh, how funny!  The musicians come up out of a hole just like the tame rats at the Museum, nasty things!—­the rats, I mean.  The man right in front of me has a trombone.  I know what it is, because the name is written on his music.  I’m so glad, for I never knew exactly what a trombone was until now.  And what a funny instrument!  He doesn’t blow at all for ever so long, and then suddenly comes in with two or three toots.

But, good gracious! there’s Dick Livingstone!  I saw him come in at that door.  I’m so glad I came!  He asked me night before last at Mrs. Harris’s if I was coming to the matinee, and of course I said “Yes,” though I didn’t have the slightest idea of doing so until he spoke.  But what—!  He has taken the seat by that Lucy Morris, and has given her a programme.  I hate that girl!

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Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.