The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-06-05
SELECTED TALES.
From the American Museum.
THE HANDSOME STRANGER.
AN OLD GENTLEMAN's STORY.
BY MRS. EMMA C. EMBURY.
AN OLD GENTL


1t was on fine spring morning, some
years since, that found myself in ore of
those nuisanees which, for the convenience
of the patient public, so long piled between
New York and Long Island. l mean an
old Brooklyn steamboat-now, thanks To
the enterprise of few individuals, replac-
ed by commodious and neat ferry boats.
AS it is my disposition to seek always for
the hidden good in every apartment of evil,
aud from the most uncomfortable situation
10 extract at least, amusement, Turned my
attention to the study Of the human face
divine as exhibited IN the dirty, crowded
cabin. In such an assemblage as is usually
found in such places, there must be OF ne
cessity, large proportion of Insignificant,
inexpensive, aud dissgreeahle countenan-
res I; but the eye that seeks for the beauti-
iul and the good can seldom roam through
crowded circle without finding at least
one brow on which it nIay rest with pleas
ure. On the ,oornpg in question, WAS
struck with the exceeding beauty OF bend
immediately opposite me. A group Of two
or three persons stood between me and the
individual that had attracted my attention,
So that | could see nothing but the head
aud ! certainly never saw a more exquisite
specimen nf male beauty. II seemed like ~
vvifcaton of one of Vanhyke's magnificent
portraits. The dark, clear complexion
the finely chiselled features-the superb
curb of the crimsun lips-the broad arch of
the expansive forehead, and The full, dark
eyes lighted up with an almost dazzling
I'll A. -ff 4
such as the old Italian masters mny have
som etimes beheld, when Venice was the o.
cean queen, and her children among the
fairest as well as the noblesl of earth. The
eyes were apparently fixed on the glimpse
OF blue sky visible through the narrow win
dow, while the marble stiffness Of the coun-
'enance, and almost rigid tranquility of the
features, made me feel as if was, in very
truth, gazing on some wonderous triumph
of the painters art.
While I looked, q sudden turn Of the
boat brought the full glare Of the morning
sun directly upon those singular eyes, but
the radiance which fell with almost blind
lug power on the faces of those around,
seemed to he to him but as the light Of a
farthiug candle his glance quailrd no, for
an instant, even when it met the blaze of
the meridian sun. My imagination was
busy employed in weaving a fancy web of
romantic history, for this rarely gifted ndi-
vniual. But ! was suddenly recalled to
every day life by the arrival of the boat at
the ferry, and the usual scramble to get on
shore. then perceived thar this magnifig
cent head had actually been wasted upon
II miserable, shrunken, crooked figure, that
might hay. personated Richard the ILL.,, es
Stephen Kemble is said to have played
Falstsf, without stuffing" lie was, evi.
IDENTIFY, an unfortunate gentleman His
habilimenis had certainly not been made
to order, and had lsng since lost all claim
to the gen,iity they possessed when he first
received them in all the gloss of u Chatham
anomaIy. liza whimsical sculptor should
have joined the god-like head of Apollo
to the distorted body of Vulcan, the effect
could scarcely have been more gtoiesque.
! amused myself as I walked up Fnlton-st,
with endeavoring to form some iden Of what
possible use the rare eift Of beauty would
ever be to this stray waif upon the road
but could funcy it Of no other utiIHy than
10 excite the sympathy Of some good ma
tured serving wencb, when at some future
day its possessor accompanied old Hays
to BrideweI.
About two years afterwards, was spend
ing few weeks at the Springs, when the
little community of fashionsbIes was thrown
into commotion by the arrival Of splendid
carriage, ~i,hou, riders, said to contain Son
Altesse the Duke del P.ombiuo. Any one
,ha, ha. ever spent week at Saratoga, will
not easily forget the insane passion which
is there exhibited for fnreign fashions. and,
above I'll, foreign titles. In fact ] have
heard it seriously asserted, that well train
I'd oUrang-ouisng, furnished With a trle a'
= pa<sporf aud . n,e,rrhatu, m. an reuse