Alas, these young people are poor and pallid! Love SHOULD be both rich and rosy, but MUST be either rich or rosy.

Talk about military duty! What is that to the warfare of a married maid-of-all-work, with the title of mistress, and an American female constitution, which collapses just in the middle third of life, and comes out vulcanized India-rubber, if it happen to live through the period when health and strength are most wanted ?] -- Have I ever acted in private theatricals?
Often.

I have played the part of the "Poor Gentleman," before a great many audiences, -- more, I trust, than I shall ever face again.

I did not wear a stage-costume, nor a wig, nor moustaches of burnt cork; but I was placarded and announced as a public performer, and at the proper hour I came forward with the ballet-dancer's smile upon my countenance, and made my bow and acted my part.

I have seen my name stuck up in letters so big that I was ashamed to show myself in the place by daylight.