Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-06-01
A FRAGMENT.

Wha, an ugly mani exclaimed the
gay ard beautiful Maria, as a stranger
of homely appearance wa passing ny
the .portieo OF her fathers = ansion, be.
meath which she then stood The
stranger heard the too loudly uttered
remark, and calmly turned upon her,
Tor moment, pair of large darh eyes,
which seemed TO express pity and for
glyeness and went on his way. Ma.
rIa's heart smote her--she felt she had
thoughtlessly and rndeiy woundt q the
feelings of one who seemed so kind
OF heart, and she would have given
worlds to be able to recall the unguard.
edexpression
A rude word, therefore, spoken
with the intention of wonnding her
feelings sunk deeply into her b art,
and when she herself though'les,ly
woundedtbebe of others, her pain was
equally as great.
Conscious that she was row guilty
OF great lmpropriety, nay rudenesN of
conduct, towards gentl, man, and he,
tooa stranger, she passed the remain.
der oSthe day, sad and unhappy
Maria had promised some of her
youthful companions to attend ball
with them on that evening, and indeed, X
at winch she had anticipated the en-
Jcyment OF much pleasure, hui she was
now well aware, that her mind wonld
not be IN fit state to participate II. the
pleasure OF the dance--that he gaIety
OF a ball room u ould be far from gurs
ling the uneasIness of her mind. She
had, however, given positive PROF.
mise. to accom- pany her companions-l
was expected she would go--and he
must, therefore, fulfil her engagement,
Her preparations were made IN a
careless mdnner-- for her mind was
constantly dwelling on the unpleasant
circumstance Perhaps, she said, L
may meet there that stranger, whose
feelings i so rudely wounned to Gay,
and YET who seemed TO look upon me
with eyes bean'iI 6 with good natpre
and forgiveness But, will ne not
think harshly OF me if he should see
me 10 ball room to nig t?
Maria made her appearance at the
ball The stranger wa not there t
was some relief, perhaps though little.
yer, little.
The assembly was large and bril-.
liant--,he music charming and enliv-
ening, ye: Maria's heart was disqui-
eted within her and she wished herself
at home, even IT. the solitude OF her
own chamber, in preference to the
midst of that gay and laughing crowd
whose mirth was pain to her.
, Maria had, in truth, expected 10
find some relief in The gay circle of
the dance, bot she was disappointed in
that expectation & she even now de-
sired the presence ofthc stranger
she would, if possible, get an intro
ductiOn--she would ask his forgive
ness, and then be at rest But the
dear, generous minded girls wish was
vain, for he appeared not; and she re-
turned home as early as possible, spir.
nless and, sad, to shut hersell up in
her chamber, and there to suffer in so.
h'ddt in consequence oil having. made
use ola trifing, unguarded expression.
Moorish ladies' Foreigners sell
dom have al opportunity o. seeing the
Moorish women, but from the few fur.
tive occasions that have fallen TO my
lot, the reports of foreign ladies resi-
dent here, and the extraordinary beau.
ty OF their children | am inclined to
think that they may vie with any other
10 point of present charms. The prin-
clpaI characteristics of beauty are ele-
CANT forms, large dark eyes, long eye
lashes, and fine teeth; but the beauty
" hch is most priced in this country,
IS that of excessive corpulency. The
Moorish women, however, as they ar.
rive very early at maturity, being often
married at twelve years of age, fade
equally soon; | am informed that their
finest women are completely in the
wane oflheir beauty at 5, " hen they
are often grand mothers; this may be
m grea. degree owing to the lexcess.
iye nse ar rather ahuse nftha steam hath