Chapter the Second
The next evening, there was a ball at Fort Plumpkins, which belonged to Mr. Gabriel Plumpkins (who was much enamored of eating soda crackers). Present at this grand assembly was the entirety of the neighborhood. Besides the elegant Mrs. Carlson and her father, her intended and the host, the group was constituted of three other persons. First, there was the most wonderfully Beautous Miss Clarissa Reede, who was close friends with Mrs. Carlson and was then but fifteen years of age, one of the best ages. With her was her cousin, the ugly and spiteful Miss Ellyn Hauton. The final maiden of this trio was Miss Adrianna Morrisson, who had great Virtue and Talent, but was much too forward to benefit from it. After the first set of dances, Mr. Gardiner announced his intended marriage to Mrs. Carlson.
Miss Reede fainted immediately and was not caught by her spiteful cousin. Fortunately, Miss Reede fell upon an obliging sofa in a most attractive manner. Her friend rushed to her, intending to revive her, but could not succeed, The violence of her attack was made known after she failed to recover for some fifteen seconds. In this painful and suspenseful period, Mrs. Carlson felt bitter remorse enter her soul.
“Dear, darling Clarissa,” cried she, ”I will not marry Mr. Gardiner. I will not sacrifice our freindship upon the altar of marriage, It does not signify e’en how deeply my passion runs, for our friendship is one unto death. You may see that I am in earnest, for in making this appeal my new gown of ruby satin is quite ruined by the dust on which I presently kneel.”