Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-04-23
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OR, THE FRENCH HARPIsTE.


middle of July was fast closing, the deep
clouds of night were rolling majesticaly
over the horizon, bearing darkness and ST.
lence EDWARDS, and telling that nature was
Fastening to repose. The inhabitants of
fashionable square had risen from their
dnner-tables and in all the drawing-rooms
might be seen the light of chandeliers, and
groups of lovely women seeking amuse-
ment: some with the latest novels, others
with lively conversation, and some land
they were not few sat inhaling the de-
lightful breeze, loaded with the perfumes
of the flowers which were placed around
the rooms and on the balconies. In one
Of the principal houses Of the square, and
in magnificent drawing room, sat Ida
1lderton, the lovely debutdnte of the season,
surrounded by all those petit ogremens,
which are SO indispensably necessary to
highly-reined women, where conscious
ness of high birth and large possessions
are augmented by mental culture and in.
tellectual attachments. On a low ottoman
at the feet of Ida lay beautiful greyhound
decked with roses, and a small, delicate
love-bird rested on one of her rchly-iew-
elled hands, while handkerchief Of lace
was held carelessly in the other. She sat
apparently unconscious of the admiration
she excited, and talked in low voice to
the bird who picked anxiously at the
snowy white hand which supported it.
Ida's beauty was captivating-it was so
delicate, so pure. Her face was cast in
the Grecian mould, with sleeping orbs,
yelled with dark lashes, resting on her
delcately -tinged cheek; her mouth was
small, and at each corner of her coral lips
sat light curve, displaying pearly teeth
and her smile had a charm perfectly ire.
sistible.
On this night she wore white Mechlir
lace over rich white satin, and girdle Of
silver confined her sylph.like waist; her
sleeve fell over her arm TO the elbow, anc
then displayed a beauty of contour, elias
steal perfection, which Praxilles vainly
had attempted to surpass; her hand wa
equally faultless, and the long taper fingers
were whittier than the handkerchief they
held. Around her, were boquets of flow
ers, and vases filled with oriental perfume
stood beside her; the rich plumage of fal
famed birds cleaned from cages of COLDER
wire; pedestals of marble and scagiola sup
ported pale cold statues, or byouterie anc
articles of uertu; thus the room was on,
delicious temple, dedicated to Luxury AM
Art. Ida had sat playing with the birt
for some time without noticing her guests
who had sought different occupations I'll
the gentlemen arose from dinner, an,
most of them had gone with Mrs. llderto,
to walk in the conservatory, leaving Id
and her favorites together. At length tn
gentlemen assembled to coffee, and the ladie
returned to the drawing-room, when con
versation light and fashionable began t
circulate amongst the different group,
Near Ida sal favprite cavalier of tn
party, vainly endeavoring to obtain
glance from her lovely eyes; and oppost
to her, apparently engaged in looking a
print, stood the heir to an earldom, wish
ing he was the bird, or the greyhound, O
the handkerchief, or any thing that Id
loved or admired; but Ida neither locke
}, at one or the other.
at was the opinion of Charles III
Fifth, Miss Ilderton," said the heir, 18th;
we speak English to birds"
"And Italian to ladies'" was the cool al
swer. "Why not speak Ia bella lingua
me, if yousollow the Emperor's maxim!'
Ida smiled as she said this, and glance
IL towards window, where sat a youn
man, holding cup of coffee in an cas-
- manner, perfectly displaying finely-forr
e, ed white hand and seemingly intent {
taking the pattern of the carpet in h
N, minds eye, to compare it with others {
some future occasion.
LISTEN said Ida, starting from h,
couch: "there is music" and the sound
n, harp was heard beneath the balloon
Instantly the windows were thrown ope
and the visitors rushed to hear the Ha
: piste, while Ida drew near the farthe
and stood by the silent young gentema
who smiled. and offered chair as she a
preached. From the blaze of the lig
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