Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-28
From a Boston paper.]
THAT GENTLEMAN.

pearances attracted notice, but whose person ana
quality were unknown to him. The stranger
was dressed in the last and best made clothing,
but without being insthe extreme OF fashion, or
conspicuous forany thing that he did or did not
wear He had not, however, availed himself OF
the apology oftravelling, as many do, TO ne
elect the most scrupulous care ofhis person,and
seemed rather TO be on visit, than on a Jour-
ney His equipage had been noticed by the
porters to correspond with its owner, In APP
pearance The trunk was made to increase or
diminish in capacity, the upper part rising on
the under by screws, according TO the contents;
the whole of it was besides enveloped in firm
canvas. A cloak bag OF the best construction;
writing apparatus, with most nsciutable
lock; an umbrella in neat case, a hat IN ano-
Their, ready to take the place OF the travelling
seal-skin cap, which the stranger wore during
the trip, were so many indications OF man, who
placed the happiness OF life in the enjoyment OF
its comforts. The greatest OF all comforts is
vet to be told, and was IN attendance upon him,
in the shape Of 6rst-rate servant, yellow man
by complexion, taci,urn, active, gentle; just not
too obsequious, and just not too familiar; not
above the name of servant, and we'll deserving
that of friend
B This strange gentleman was quiet, moderate
in his movements, rather reserved II his man
ner; all real gentlemen are so. shade OF me-
lancholy settled over his face, but rather light
ening into satisfaction, than dark and omlnous
of growing. sorrow. 1t was countenance,
which care had furrowed, but in which the
fruitful seeds of grief were not yet plantec.-
There was a timid look Of one, that had been
deceived by aPpearance,and feared TO trust HIM
selfto an exterior, that might betray his heart
into a misplaced confidence. There was an ex-
preston, which one might almost call sly, OF a
man. who had at length found secret treasure,
which he would not expose, lest 1t be torn from
him, or he should be disturbed in its enjoyment
Ofthe beauties of the scene, though plainly
man of cultivated mind, he took but little no.
tice. He cast an eye OF equal indifference ON
natures Cyclop9an masonry at the PALISADES,
and on the elegant erections of art. on the opPo-
site banks of the river Even the noble entrance
into the Highlands scarcely fixed bis attention.
WITH all the appearance OF a perfect gentle
man, there was nevertheless conspicuous about
this parsonage a punctuality in obeying the
bell, which summoned to the meals, and salts
faction eSinced while at them, which evidently
proceeded from some particular association OF
ideas, TO which the spectator wanted the key
1t was not ravening appetite; 1t was not Tor want
ofsbeing accustomed at home TO what are COM
monty, and we think correctly, called good
things;'' his whole appearance negatived any
suchidea. But he repaired 10 the table with
cheerful and active step, as if he were sure he
should find things as they ought TO be; and nc
partook its provisions, as if he had found them
so. He did not praise the abundance and good
quality of what he saw and enjoyed; but mann
tanned the same rather mysterious silence here,
as elsewhere on board; but the expression OF
calm inward satisfaction, which reigned IN his
face, spoke volumes. In like manner, with re-
spect 10 every other part of the domestic econo-
my of the steamboat; the commodlous births,
the conveniences of the washing apparatus, and
of the BARRIERS shop; the boot-brushing quarters;
in Short, alIthe nameless accommodations and
necessaries, which will suggest themselves with
out being specified; in regard to them all you
might read in the strangers looks and meln,
that he was perfectly satisfied; and for some
reason, which did not suggest itself from want
of knowledge Of his history, he evidently enjoy
ed this satisfaction with peculiar reaSh
In fact,she only words that had been heard to
escape from that gentleman, for SO the captain
had called him, in pointing him out to the
steward; and so the barber had called him IN
speaking of him TO the cook; and so the engl-
neer had designated him, in describing his looks
to the fireman; the only words which shat gen
tleman' had been heard TO utter, TO any one on
board, were his remarks othe captain, after
having finished a tour OF observation round the
boat-"very convenient, very comfortable"
AS they drew near to Albany, this air of sa-
tisfaction was evidently clouded. Nothing adj
verse had happened on board. The boat walk
ed cheerily through the water, at the rate ofele
ven miles and half an hour. MIR. Surevalye,
the engineer, was heard 10 say, that he could
double her steam, withou. coming near her
proof; sbut then, added he to the hreman,swhat
good would that do, seeing the resistance OF the
water increases, with the velocity OF the boat
aremark 10 which the fireman returned, what
may be called very snknouing look The wea-
sher was fine; the company generally exhilarat-
cd with arriving at the journeys end; and all
but the stranger rising in spirits, as they drew
near % the landiag place. He, on the contrary,
proceeded about the business of cisembarking,
with the only disconnected look which he had
worn during the trip.