Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-08-11

what is Tousky Wousky doing here?'
That's neither your business nor
mine. He is the handsomest man on
the pace, and has the entire run of the
city, from the eight shilling balls Of
Tammany to the most brilliant routes
in Bond street to Waverly Place"
"Quite a range, P. But does
he patronize Tammany ?"
:" To be sure he does; and why not
IT'S all one to him; and he has got the
idea that there is good picking in the
Bowery. He has heard of butchers
families, where good ribs were to be
had, and is not sure that he might not
get pretty well suited at some wealthy
tailor's. In short, he is in search of a
rich wife, and he is not over particular
who or what she may be as long as she
can plank the pewter. "
"That is to say, p, he is penni-
less adventurer, who cannot find a wife
in his own country, and proposes to
confer the honor on us. Is that the ar
rangement'''
+" You are no; far out of the way in
your guess"
"But how is the individual receiv-
edo"
60, with open arms, to be sure
He gave out on his passage, that he
was coming to this country, to marry a
fortune, that he should do it in about
six months, and return to Paris"
How excessively condescending
And what credentials did he bring with
him ~
90, he carries his credentials on his
face. The only necessary passports
now to society are whiskers-mousta-
che-imperial! They are the open Sc
sane to the hearts Of the ladies.''
"But what says papa'"
81 understand there was a general
meeting Of all our milIionaires, and that
they voted him forthwith the freedom
ofthe city, and suggested that he should
do the country the honor to marry some
one Of their daughters.''
"And what said the COUNT"
i" Why, the count said that he would
quarter on 'em while before pitching
his tent; that he would dine about with
the old prigs, and drink their good wine,
and that as soon as he became well as
sured in regard to the respective for
tunes of the ladies', he would just fling
his handkerchief at one of them, and
she is expected to drop forthwith into
his arms. "
Not long after this conversation, it
was my lot TO meet Tousky Wousky
on several occasions in society. 1t
seemed to be the prevailing belief a.
mong those upon whom he eondescen-
ded to shed the light Of his smiles, that
he was the sole remaining representa-
tive of noble and ancient family, and
that he was visiting the United States
solely in pursuit Of relaxation from ar
dent military duties in Algiers. Such
was his own story, and such was the
story which his defenders believed.
| must plead guilty to never having
been able to discover the peculiar
charm Of the counts manners and APP
pearance. I had heard much of the air
noble, which was said to be his distin-
guishishing trait, but could see nothing
but the air puppyish, if | may so char
acterize manner Of supreme indiier-
ence to the comfort and convenience of
those around him. In a ballroom, I
have seen him extend himself at full
length upon a sofa, after quadzille,
and fan himself with his perfumed
handkerchief, while dozens Of ladies
were near in want of a seat. At other
times he would place himself astride Of
chair, with his face to the back, and
his long legs protruded so as to endan-
ger the necks OF those who might ven
lure to step over them. These little Ii
berries were-regarded merely as the e!e-
giant abandon of one accustomed to the
first society Of Europe; and instances
were cited ola similar aristocratic disre-
gard of conventional decency among
English noblemen, who had visited this
country.
But what seemed to certify the counts
claims to nobility was the erudition he
displayed in all that related to gastron-
my. Did you ever notice the air of sa-
gacity with which chicken sips wa
ter, cooking her head after every bill
full, and apparently passing judgment
on its quality OF such an act would
Touslky Wousky remind you when he
took soup. Occasionally his criticisms
would be given. with a vivaclty ana
esprit, which would excite general sur
prise. He could tell at q glance the
name Of the most reconcile Partisan
pate. His decisions in regard to entire
NETS ,hors d'dsuvres, and col al gents