Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-22
From the Ne'0 York Mirror.
TWO YARDS OF JACONET:
Or, A HUSBAND.
A VIRGINIA TALE,

dress for the next birthday at Richmond. want,
besides, pretty large length of pea green ribbon.
l want feather, white feather, to my last bon
nett want
"Well, my DEAR" said Louisa, her companion,
" well, my dear,it seems YOU have wants enough.
Pray how many more things do you want be-
sides?''
dred more, 10 be sure," said she laughing: " but
I'll name them all in one-I want husbaud-a
real, downright husband"
% Indeed!" SAID Louisa, s. this is the first
time ever heard you talk of such an article
Can't you select out one among your many admit
rerss"
ga fig for my admirers. I'm tired-Pm sick
Pm d,sgusted with my admirers. One comes
and makes silly compliments; says, Miss B.,
/. how pretty you look to-day; another sickens
me with his silly looks; auo,her Is desperately
in love with me, that he can't talk; another, so
desperately in love with himself, that he talks
forever. On. wish were married; wish
had husband; or, at least, two yards OF jaconet,
to finish this for the Richmond campaign.'
Mary Ann B. was gay, young, rafting
creature, who had lost her father and part Of her
heart at fourteen. She was n0w seventeen; pos
sessed fine figure, rather en,bon point; not tall,
but very gracefully rounded of. Her profuse
auburn ringets clustered neglisently round
pair Ut cheeks. in which the pure red and white
mins led 50 dellcately, that where the Une began,
or the other ended, no one could tell. Her eyes
were dark blue, but possessing lustre when
lighted up with feeling enthusiasm. which de-
fed any one to distinsuish them from burning
black. Her motions were light, airy, and grace
full. III foot and ankle were most elegantly
formed, and her two small white hands. with SOFT
tanprtup HDuprs. were a aristorrAti az cnuIu he
imagined by Bsron or an Ali Pacha. Since the
death Of her father, which was period of about
Two years or more. she had had many admirers,
several decided offers, aud not few who hoped,
but burst not venture upon the fatal question -
She laughed at their offers, rldiculed her admi-
rers, aud protested that she would never mar
~ I'LL ste had brought at least a hundred to
her feet For several counties around, up and
down James's river, she was quite toast among
the young p auters.
In those days the white lphur, blue sulphur,
p and hot sulphur springs not much frequent.
ed; but people Of fashion in lower Virginia, the
wealthy planters, were Iust beginning to escape
TO the Blue mOunia aims during the autumna
months. In one of those excursions, the party,
of which Mary Ann made lively member, was
overtaken one afternoon in sudden rain storm.
at the entrance Of one of the gorses Of the noun
tains. The party was travelling in an open car
rage, witTa 4 sort Of top resembling that Of a
gig, to spread "uewhen sbower broke over them
with sudden violence. On the present occasion
the leaiher top afforded very inadequate shell
efer from the torrents which fell down from the
dark heavy clouds above. The first house they
approached was therefore kindly welcomed -
They disnounted, went 10. and found several
young gentlemen surrounding the hickory fire,
which was cracking most merrIly on large wide
hearth.
A young man, Of rather modest, easy, but un.
obtrusive manners, rose up at the approach of
Mary Ann, and offered her his char She ac-
copied u, with slight inclination of the head,
and quiet glance at his general appearance
Nothing remarkable took place at this interview;
but few days after, when they had all reached
the foot of one Of the mountains. which VAS ap-
propriated as the place Of gaiety and fashion, the
young gentleman was formally introduced to
Mary Ann, as Mr. c., from William sburs.
in lower Virginia. In very short period he be-
came devoted admirer Of Mary Ann-was ex.
tremeIv and decately attentiye-and. of cousse,
gave rise TO many surmlses among the match ma
kers aud match breakers of the springs. Al the
close Of the season, he put forth his pretens,ons
in form. He Uttered himself formally to Mary
Ann. As usual. she spent whole nigh, in think.
ing. crying. celebrating, grieving, wondering,
and next morning sent him fiat refusal.
So this affair, which is specimen of about
thirty or forty she had managed in this way, vas
considered closed beyond all hopes OF revival.
The parties never again met. till tie moment we
have now reached threw them accidentally into
each others company.
Since the period Just referred to, Mary Ann
had considerably altered in her feelings and her
views. She had pursued the game of CATCHING