The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-25

OR MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.

ed afternoon ~ exclaimed, with iil-suppfessee
exuItation, as threw down my pen, which hau
been diligently using for four hours-ll was pen
ming an article for certain monthly, dear read
er)oand pushed my closely written manuscript
from me. Whereupon ignited my cigar and
ascending the three steps 10 my window dor-
mant, l seated myself in my accustomed CHAIR
and forthwith began TO speculate on things eh-
ternal.
Il was that calm, lovely time, which IS wont
10 usher in the twilight Of a summer evening.
The roll of wheels beneath me in the new road
wa, ceaseless. Bright forms flashed by in gay car
riages. The happy. the gallant, and the bean'l-
ful, were all forth TO take the air on the fashion
able drive! Why was | not with the cavai-
cadet Where was my Roslnantei Where Is
mn establishment? Echo answered Nv here
| pulled away silently and vigorously for few
seconds, as these mental queries assaied me;
and blessed soother Of the troubled, on incom-
parable cigar! my philosophy returned. pa
aonally opposite TO my window stands one OF the
proudest structures, OF red brick, with stone IA
cings. This edifce attracted my attention by ITS
simple elegance, and eventually liked II by
mystery, that seemed TO my curious eye surround
ing one of ITS inmates!
A lady of dazzling beauty was an inmate OF
that mansion and, for aught knew to The con-
trary, its only inmate. Every afternoon, arrayed
in simple white, with flower or two in herhair,
Snt was Sedteu ~ tue uIdWiuS-ioohA "ihe~'f
gazing out upon the gay spectacle the busting
road exhibits Of pleasant afternoon. saw her
the first moment took possession OF my dormant
nnAL, end was struck with her surprising loveii-
ness. Every evening PAID distant homage 10
her beauty. But she was not destined 10 be SO
worshipped by all. One afternoon she was al
her window, with guilt-Ieaved volume in her
hand, when gentleman Of the most graceful
bearing rode past my window. He was well
mounted, and set on his horse like an Arabian.
He was what the boarding school misses would
call an elegant fellow a weli-bred man OF the
world a remarkable handsome man Tall,
with fine oval face a black penetrating eye,
and a mustache upon his lip, together with a
fine figure, and the most perfect address, he
was what | should term, captivating and
dangerous man. As he came opposite 10 her
window, his eye, as he turned il thither, be-
came fascinated with her beauty How much
iovelier a really lovely creature appears, seen
through plate glass - InvoluntaIiy he drew |
in his spirited horse, and raised his hat! The |
action, the manner, the grace were inmitable.-
AT the unguarded moment, the hind wheel Of |
rumbling omnibus struck his horse in the chest. |
The animal reared high, and would have fallen l
back upon his rider, had he not with remarkable |
presence Of mind, stepped quietly and graceful
~ from the strip to the pavement, as the horse,
losing his balance, fell violently on his side
The lady, who had witnessed with surprise the
from her manner of receiving it, he evidently
was to her, started from her chair and screamed
conyulsively. The next moment he had secured
and remounted his horse, which was slightly
stunned by the fall, acknowledged the interest
taken in his mischance by the fair being who
had been its innocent cause (unless beauty be
crime) BY another bow, and rode slowly and
composedly onward, as if nothing unusual had
occurred.
The next evening the carriage was at the door
of the mansion The liveried footman was stand
ing with the steps down and the handle Of the
door in his hand. The coachman was seated ON
his box, was, as usual, at my window. The
street door opened, and with light step, the
graceful form Of my heroine came forth and des-
cended to the carriage. AT that moment-( some
men are surely born under the auspices of more
iEdulgent stars, than others 1.-THE stranger rode
up, bowed with inefable grace, and-(b blessed
encounter that with the omnibus wheelD his
bow was acknowledged by an inclination of her
superb head, and smile that would make man
of any soul seek accidents even in the " can
mons mouth" He rode slowly forward, and, in
few seconds, the carriage took the same direc-
lion. There are no differences to be drawn from
this, reader All the other carriages pass the
same route. II was the customary one. At the
melting Of twilight into night the throng Of ri
ders and drivers repassed. THE lady's" carri-
age-Gt was landau and top was thrown back)
came last OF all The cavalier was riding be-
side ii: He dismounted as il drew up before the
door, assisted her to the pare, and took his leave
For several afternoons, successfully, the gentle
mans appearance, mounted on his noble animal,
was Simultaneous with that Of the lady at her
carriage.
One evening they were unusually late on their
return Finally the landau drew up before the
door. 1t was too dark to see faces, but could |
have sworn the equestrian was not the slranger
No! He dismounled, opened the door of the car
rage, and the gentleman and lady descended !
The footman had rode his horse, while he, hap
py man. occupied seat by the side of the fair
one ! watched the progress of this amour for
several days, and still the stranger had never
entered the house. One morning, however,
about 10 o'clock, A. NJ, saw him lounging
past, with that ease and self-possession which
characterized him. He passed and re-passed
the house two or three times, and then rather
hastily ascending the steps Of the portico, pulled
al the bell The next moment he was admitted
and disappeared out of sight. But only for a
moment, reader! An attic hath its advantages.
The blinds of the drawing room were drawn
and impervious 10 any glance from the street
but the leaves were turned so as 10 let in the
light of heaven and my gaze could see
through the spaces directly down into the room,
as distinctly as if there was no obstruction
This give as hint to all concerned, who have
revolving leaves to their Venetian blind. Attic
gentlemen are much edited thereby. Thenext
moment he was in the room, his hand upon his
hcart--another and | saw him at her feet
Woud that had language H 70 paint you the
shall have confidence, | have so good pattern
when / GO to make my declaration, the confess
sion, the acceptation, all passed beneath me
most edifying. Then came the iabrdi seal,
that made his bliss secure BY his animating
gestures, could see he was urging her TO take
s...,. epdJer cfap She nj fret anneared repc-