The Von Toodleburgs; Or, The History of a Very Distinguished FamilyAdams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
General
The Von Toodleburgs; Or, The History of a Very Distinguished Family
Adams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
Families -- Fiction; New York (State) -- Social life and customs -- Fiction; Treasure troves -- Fiction
"You talk like a philosopher, my darling; but I have known worse things
done, and great results flow from them. That young man promises well,
and as for old Hanz, he is a man of more importance than you think.
Some of these Dutch people are slow, but solid," rejoined Chapman,
shutting up the book. "I have an object in view, and this little,
innocent flirtation may help to improve it. At least, it can do no
harm."
"It is not good to let anything go on that might lead to harm," resumed
the good woman. "Mattie has good looks, and I intend that she shall have
a polished education, and shine in society some day. You have always
agreed with me, my dear, that it was good to look forward. How could
Mattie shine in society with such a husband, and such a name? The very
name of Toodlebug would sink us. Yes, my dear, sink us right down--"
"Wrong again, my dear; Tutle-burg. You may put an _e_ in it instead of
an _r_, if you please. That's where the difference is," interrupted
Chapman.
"I don't care, my dear; these polite people would turn up their noses,
and get it Too-dle-bug. They are very nice on names. If the young man
should get up in the world and keep a carriage, people would say 'there
goes Too-dle-bug's carriage--oh! what a name. What low people they must
have been.' If they should own a house in the fashionable part of the
city. We should both look forward to that, you know. Would'nt it be a
horrid name to read on the door? Toodlebug!"
"Tutle-burg, my dear; there's a big difference," interposed Mr. Chapman.
"As you says; but nice people would not pronounce it except with a bug,"
continued the good woman, looking discomfitted. "You have given so much
time to progress and reforming the world, that you don't understand
these matters as well as I do. I am sure there would be blushes and
smiles enough over such a name. Think of our daughter being Mrs.
Toodlebug, (I pronounce it with a b-u-g, you see,) and inviting nice
people to her reception. There would be people enough at that reception
to make light of the name. Yes, Mr. Chapman, you might as well have her
married to a Mr. Straddlebug. It's so very vulgar, my dear."
"As to that," replied Chapman, "the world is a great vulgarity, and only
puts on politeness for appearance sake. The young man might have his
name changed, or he might add something to it to soften it. How would
you like Von Toodleburg, my dear?"
"Never can be softened; never! The Von would do something to lift a
family up into respectability. And then, socially speaking, there was
such a wide difference between them distinguished Dutch families and
them common Dutch families."
"What would you have me do about it, darling?" enquired Chapman,
submissively.
"Oppose it, my dear!" replied Mrs. Chapman, bowing, and becoming
earnest. "Oppose it. You know how to oppose everything, and surely you
can oppose this."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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