Two Yards Of Jaconet, Or A Husband

" I wish," sa;d Mary Aun, " I had two yards of jaconet. I want it very mucb to complete this dress for the next birthday at Richmond. I want besides a pretty large length of pea-green ribbon. I want a feather - a white feather- to my last bonnet. I want - " "Well, my dear," said Lonisa, hor companion, " well, my doar, it seems you have never enough. Pray how many more things do you want besides ? " " More ! " returned Mary Ann, "why a hundred more, to be sure," said she, laughing; "but I'll name them all in one - I want a husband - a real, downright husband." " Indeed !" said Louisa, "this is the first time I ever heard you talk of sueh an artiole. Can't you select one from among your many admirers ? " " A fjg for my admirers ! I'm tired - I'm sick, I'm disgusted with my admirers. All come and make silly conipliments; ono says, ' Miss B , how pretty you look to-day;' another tickens me with his silly looks ; another is so desperately in love with methathe can't talk; another is so desperately in love with himself that he talks forever. Oh! I wish I were married ! I wish I had a husband; or at least two yards of jaconet to finish the dress for the Richmond campaign." Mary Ann B was a gay, young, rattling creature who had lost her f athor and part of her heart at 14. She was now 17; possessed a fine figure, rather embonpoint; not tall, but very gracefully rounded off. Her profuse auburn ringlets clustered negligently round a pair of cheeks in which the pure red and white mingled so delicately that where the one began or the other ended no one could teil. Her eyes vere dark-blue, but possessing a luster when lighted up with feeling or enthusiasm which defied any one to distinguish them from burniüg black. Her motions were light, airy and graceful. Her foot and ankle were most elegantly formed ; and her two small white hands, with soft, tapering fingers, were as aristocratie as could be imagined by a Byron or an AH Pasha. Since the death of her father, which was a period of about two years or more, she had had many admirers, several decided offers, and not a few who had hoped, but durst not ven tut e upon the fatal question. She laughed at their offers, ridicuied her admirers, and protested she would never marry until she had brouglit at least a hundred to her feet. For several counties round up and down the James river she was quite a toast among the young planters. In those days th-i White Sulphur, Blue Sulphur and Hot Suiphur Springs were not much frequented ; but people of f ashion in Lower Virginia, the wealthy planters, were just beginning to escape to the Blue Mountains during the autumnal months. In one ol those excursions the party, of which Mary Ann made a lively member, was overtaken one afternoon in a sudden storm at the eDtrance of one of the gorges of the mountains. The party was traveling in an open carriage, with a sort of top resembling that of a gig, to spread out when a shower broke over them with sudden violence. On the present occasion tbe leather top afforded to the ladies a very inadequate shelter from the torrent which feil down from the dark, heavy clouds above. The first house they approached was, therefore, truly welcomed. They dismounted, went in and found several young gentlemen surrounding the hiekory fire which was crackling merrily on a large, wide hearth. A young man of rather modest, easy, buo unobtrusive manners rose at the approach of Mary Ann and offered her his chair. She accepted it, with a slight inclination of the head and a quiet glance at his general appearance. Nothing remarkable took place at this interview; but a few days after, when they had reachcd the foot of one of the mountains, which was appropriated as the place of gayety and fashion, the young gentleman was formally introduced to Mary Ann as Mr. C , from Williainsburg, in Western Virginia. In a very short time he became the devoted admirer of Mary Ann - was extremely and delicately attentive, and, of course, gave rise to many surmises among the match-makers and match-breakers of the Springs. At the close of the season he put forth his pretensions in form. He offered himself formally to Mary Ann. As usual, she spent a whole night in thinking, crying, deliberating, grieving, wondering, and next morniug sent him a flat refusal. So this affair, which is a specimen of about thirty or forty she had managed in this way, was considered clooed beyond all hopes of revival. The parties nover again met till the moment we have now reached threw them accidentally into each other'scompany. Since the period just reforred to Mary Ann had considera'jly altered in her feelings and her views. Sho had pursued the game of catching admirers, of leading them on to declare themsolves, and of then rejecting, with tears and regrets in abundance, till she and the whole world of young men became mutually disgusted with each other. Yet she had many excellent nualities - was a fast and enduring f riend, knew aswell as any one the folly of her course of life; but hor ambition - her love of conquegt, her pride of talent, her desire of winning away the sumirers of her f emale rivals, entirely clouded and obscured her more amiable qualitios oi' head and heart. "How long have you been in Williamsburg, Mary Ann 't" askcd her ohere aiüi. "Only three days, and I have only picked up three beaus. What a dull pJace this is. It is called the ' classic fcbade ' - the ' academie groves of the Old Dominion,' and all that sort of thiiig. One of the professors entertained me a good two hours the other evening witli the laws of Dido and TEneas. I wish I had a conple of yards of j acor et." " Or a husband " " Or a husband, eithcr. I don't care which ; come, my love, let's go shopping in this clfiesic town." The two ladies immediattly rose- it was about noenday - put on tbc ir bonnets, took their parasols and sallied forth. "For a husband or jaconet, you say V' "Two yards of jaconet, or a husband." The town of Williamsburg, like every other little town in Virginia or even New York, does not contain many stores. A shopping expedition is, thercfore, soon completed. The two ladies sauntered into this shop, then into that, sometimes makicg flie poor i'ellow of a Bhopkeeper turn out bis wbole stock in trade, and rewarding his paiDS by the purchase of a sixpenny worth of tape. They had proeeoded for an hour in this lounging, lazy style, when Louisa said : "Oh! Mary Ann, here is an oid beau of yours in that store with the red gingham flapping at the door like a pirate's flag ; come, let us go and plague him for 'au ld lang syne,' as Mrs. McDonald, the Scotch lady of Norfolk, says." "Oertainly," said Mary Ann, "but which of my old admirers is it ?" "Have you got your list ia our pocket?" "Not at all; I have loft it at my grandmother's at Kichmond. What a pity !" The two wild creatures, bounding like a couple of fawns over the forest glade, for they were reckless of the public opinión among the old dowagers and staid maidens of WiJliamsburg, entered the store and asked for a sight of gloves, muslins and ribbons. Mary Ann did not seem to pay much attention to the fine articles shown her. She ever and anon cast her eyes by stealth round and round the store, endeavoring to discover if sbe recognized any of the faces as that of an old acquaintance. She could see nothing to repay the effort. Not a face had she ever seen before. She summoned up to her recollection all her l'ormer admirers. They passed through j her mind like the gnosis in " Macbeth;" for, notwitb stand ing her rejection of so many lovers, she ever retained a certain jortion of regard for every poor fellow vho had fallen a victim to her whim, )eauty, witchery and caprice. "This is an Arabian desert," said Mary Ann, sighing, to Louisa, as she split a pair of kid gloves in endeavoring to get them on. "Oh ! no," said a gay young shopman; "indeed, miss, they are the best French kid." " Fray," said Louisa, in a low tone, " don't you see any thing in the back room of the store ?" In a remote corner of the store there stood at the desk a plainly-dressed gentleman, leaning over the corner of a wooden railing, with his eyes firmly fixed upon the two ladies now so actively engaged in tossing over the counter all sorts of merchandise and light French goods. " As I live," said Mary Ann, " there is my old Blue Kidge beau. ' Oh ! how wet I was," whispered she, "drenched with a summer shower, when first I was thrown into his society. I believe the poor fellow loved me sincerely. Come, let me spend upon him at least $10 in jaconet; he spent $100 upon me in balls, "dancing, colds, cough-drops and drives, f and got nothing for his pains but a neat hiiltt-doux declining his poor heart and soft hand. Poor fellow I" With this sally the ladies bought several articles, scarcely caring whether they suited them or not. When they left the store Mary Ann feil in-o a rêverie, was quite silent, which for her was unusual and singular. Louisa's spirits, on the contrary, gathered life and energy as those of her companion eank away. She talked, she laughed, she ridiculed her beaus, she rallied Mary Ann, and, looking into her for once melancholy faoe, said, "So, my love, youarecaught at last." "Caught," said Mary Ann; " indeed you are much mistaken. I do not think - that is to say, I fancy I should not like to marry my Blue Ridge beau. Oh ! Louisa," said she af ter a pause, witii a tear in her eye, " what a foolish creature I have been. Mr. Collingwood, for that is his name, lam sure, does not think of me: but I cannot remember attentions he once paid me without a feeling of regret." "Why ! now what's the matter with you ? After refusiog so many, are you going to throw yourself away on a shopkeeper? A descendant of one of the most ancient families in Virginia to marry a shopkeeper !" "Alas ! alas ! Louisa, what is descent? what is fashion? what is all the life I have led ? Bo you see that little white house with green Venetian blinds across the street? I was oneeveningin that house, and saw enough to satisfy mf that I have been pursuing pleasurc, not happiness. Oh, if I only could feel a3 tat youug wife does ! "You laugh. I am sure I do not think of Mr. Ooiliogwood ; but there was a time when his soft, quiet, affectionate mane er did touch one most sensitively. " "Have you got the gloves you bought ?" asked Louisa. Mary Ann looked. She had forgotten them on the counter or lost them. "We must return, then," said Louisa. "Never," said Mary Ann. " I never dare look at him. I am sure ho despises me. Oh, if he only knew what I feel - what pangs pass through this heart - I'msure he would not." "Come, come," said Lcmisa ; "we must return and get the gloves." "Never." " Oh ! the jaconet or a husband, most assuredly. You remember your resolution when we set out?" Mary Ann smiled, whilo her eyo glistened with a tear. They returned home, however, and sent Cato, the colored servant, for the articles they had forgotten. After this adventure it was observed that a visible change caroe over the manners and spirits of Mary Ann. Her gay, brilliant saüies of wit and ridicule were moderated amazingly. She became quite pensive ; singularly thoughtful for a girl of her unusual flow of spirits. When Louisa rallied her on Uie ehopping cursion she replied, ''Indeed, Louisa, ". do uot think I could marry Mr. Colling wcod ; besides, he has forgotten every feelicg lie may Lavo entertain d towarc me." In a few days af ter tltis event a party was given one evening at a neighboring house. The family in which Mary Ann resided were all invited. The moment of reunión approached, anc Mary Ann, dressed with great cleganoe but far less splendor than usual, iounc herself at the head of a cotillion, surrounded by several young gentlemen, studente of William and Mary, professors, planters and merchante. They were pressing forward in every direction, talking and catcning a word or a look from so celebratea a belle. Mary Ann, however, did not appear to enjoy the group that surrounded her. She was shooting her dark-blue eyes easily and negligently towards the entrance, as every new face carne forward, to see all the party. The music struck up, and, rallying her attention, she immediately stepped off on a dos-a-dos with that elegance and grace for which she was so particularly remarliablo. At the close, as she stood up beside her partner, throwing a beautiful auburn ringlet back vipon her white, round neck, lier eye caught with sudden emotion a quiefc, genteel-looking person at the other end of the room. It was Mr. Collingwood. She immediately dropped her eyes to the floor and looked very narrowly at her lelt foofc as she moved it on the toe backwards and forwards, as it were, for want of thought or to divert her thoughts. Iu a few seconds she iooked up in the same direction. Mr. Collingwood still stood in the same po sition, watching every motion she made and every look she cast around her. She blushed, feit embarrassed, and went altogether wrong in the cotillion. " What in the world are you thinking of ?" askod Louisa. "I scarcely know myself," said Mary Ann. In a few seconds the cotillion was brought to a close and Mary Ann 's partner escorted her to a seat. Mr. Collingwood approached through the crowd and stood before her. " How is Mies ?" asked Mr. Collingwood with suppressed emotion. Mary Ann muttered out a few wods in reply. She dropped her glove. Mr. Collingwood picked it up. " This is not the first time you have lost a glove," eaid he, with a smiie. She received it and cast a look upon him of unconceivable sweetness. " Do you dance again, Miss ■. ?" "I believe not; I am going heme," "Going home?" said he; "whythe amusements are scarcely begun." " They are ended with me," said she, "for the night. I wish my servant would fetch my cloakand bonnet." "Oh, you can't be going home already." " Indeed I am," said she. "Well," said he, with a smile, "I know your positive temper of old. Allow me to get your cloak for you ?" "Certainly." Mr. Collingwood left the room. Louisa and several other female friends gathered round lier, persuading her on all sides not to leavo the party ere it was begun. Sl:e would not remaic. Mr. Collingwood appeared at the door. In the hall, for it was the fashion then and there to do so, Mr. Collingwood took her bonnet and put it on. " Allow me," said he, "to tie the strings?" She nodded aseent, andwhile tying the ribbons under her chin he could not help touching her soft cheek. He was in ecstasy- sho .was quiet and resigned. He took the cloak - he unfolded it - he stood in front of her - their eyes met - both blushed - he pulled the cioak around her shoulders - he folded it around and around her bosom. He trembled like a leaf ; she trembled also. He pressed her warmly to his heart, whispering in her ear, " Oh, Mary Ann, if I may hope - yet indulge a hope?" For a moment they were left alone, her head sank upon his breast. She could not speak, but her heart was like to burst. " Will I - dare I expect to be yet happy ?" Their warm cheeks met; thoir lips realized it in one long, loDg, long respiration. They tore away from each other without another word - everything was perfectly understood between them. At this moment Mrs. Jamieson, the good lady of the mansion, approached and insisted that Mary ADn should not go so early. "It is really shameful, my dear," said she, "to think of leaving us at thia hour. When I go to ltiehmond, &o I leave you thus abruptly ? Why, Mr. Collingwood, can't you prevaiupon her to stay a little longer? ' He shook his head. "All my rhetoric has been exhausted," said he, "and it has proved unavailing. " Mary Ann looked at him very arehly. "Well, now," continued the lady, "I insist upon your staying ;" and she forthwith prnceeded to take off her bonnet, untie her cloak, and sent the servant with them into the side apartment. Mary Ann was unresisting. She was again led into the room. Collingwood danced with her all the evening. He escorted her homo in the beautiful moonlight, and every now and then he pressed the cloak around her, wi h which she appearfd not by any means to find fault. In about a month, Mary Ann became Mrs. Collingwood ; and immediately, as the parson had finished this great business of the evening, Louisa, who was one of her maids, whispered in her ear, " Two yards of jaconet, or a husband." Sho smiled, and pas sed her arm around Louisa' waist. "Both, mylove - both, my love. Jaconet and a husband - a