Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-11-24
"Then introduce bimn soid Miss Smith.

interpret"
HE contents himself with taking scalps; but
you-you must have hearts,"
She answered only by melancholy smile and
shake of the head and ! forthwith introduced
MIR. K TO her.
Puzzled and chagrined, | made my way to the
supper room, where was instantly assaed by
shower of questions from the ladies', and Of com.
plimenls from the gentlemen whose importnni-
ties had disregarded. Murmurs low aud deep,
were uttered against me, when it was found that
had ELECTED nothing from my late partner that
could aay the general curiosity in regard TO her.
Al that could communicate was, that she was
Miss Smith; aud every one seemed TO regard this
piece OF intelligence AS involving the subject in
profUunder obscurty. The lndy's remark in re-
gard 10 members Of Congress ! kept TO myself.
A series ofbriIIiant entertainments, given by the
hospltaJe and noble spirited residents of Wash
ingtoD, succeeded the ball at the White House.
AT all of them Miss S. present, and at all Of
them she was indsputahy the belle Of the even
ing. Perhaps the appellaIion is u wrong one !; for
apart from her dazzling beauty, there was little of
the self assured and fiarered belle in her appear
ance and demennor Her conversation was al
ways cheerful and animated but an interested
observer land acknowledge that ! soon become
one,) could detect, beneath her apparent gaiety
tile pre-occupntion oil heart filled with some
cret sorrow. This conviction soon checked the
tendency ofmy feelings towards her; and ! had
ged in the friend.
Sill the mystery as 10 who she was and whence
she came was kept up. All that the most in
quisve observer could discover, was that she
resided in private family ut Georgetown, the
mistress of which, fNlrs. Boutwell,, though she
did not 60 into society herself, yet held that posi-
lion which would secure an entree TO any young
female under her protection. On being question
ed on the subject of Miss Smith, Mrs. Bothwc!l
would reply that she could vouch for her respec-
liability; but beyond that she knew nothing in
regard to her parentage or history. OF course,
this half way intelligence contributed still further
to pique public curiosity, and TO render the un.
known belle still more an object Of marvel and
OF interest. The fact that no one among the
throngs WHO daily visited Washington, from all
parts OF the Union and of the world, had ever
seen her or heard of her before, also added 10 the
general perplexily. Several young men aitemp-
ted 10 lay direct stige to her heart, and innumera
BILE were The laponicas AMI the screnades with
which they endeavored to facilitate their ap-
proaches; but they eliced Fl ON her no manner
OF encouragement She received their attention
with "sad civilily," and, as as possible, got
RID oil them and exerted her powers OF Ease ina
ton over some influential member OF Congress-
One morning l called upon her at Mrs. Both
wells. AS assembled the stairs, in advance of the
servant, accidentally glanced at a mirror through
The open door OF an apartment A reflection of
Two figures attracted my attention. One was4he
lady | had come to visit the other was young
man, with features wan, but highly intellectual,
and somewhat atteDuaed frame. The lady's
hand was run through the think hair that cluster.
ed about his pale forehead, and she was gazing in
his face with an expression Of deep and tender so.
licllude. A sound very much like kiss succeeded
this momenlary altitude. Reluctant to disturb
such an interview, turned 10 retreat but accitlen-
tally, came in contact with the seryBfft who tum-
bling half way down stairs, effectually interrupted
the atfectionate scene in the parIor. Without
more ado, after preliminary shutting of my feet,
to apprise the parties that some one coming:
| entered the room.
An opposite door closed, as Miss Smith advanc-
ed TO receive me, and ] heard a dry, omiuons
cough proceed from the departing vlsiter. Ii
seemed 10 fall heavely the ludy's heart, for she
stopped short, pressed her hands 10 her eyes and
heaved sigh Quickly rayng, however, she
summoned Il sweet smilo to her lips, and received
me with Kindness We couversed few min
utes on different Subjects and | took an early
leave.
AS | drove home to Gadsby's, my mind was
more lost than ever in conJectures as TO this
exceedingly beautiful but mysterious young lady.
Who could The gentleman be on whom she had
lavished such tokens Of endearment Was he
lover or husband? If ether why did he not ac-
company her into society? Or, if his health did
not permit such indulgence, how could she quit
nun 10 become The exposure of the ball room
Perhaps he was a brother. No. A sister could
never have bestowed such look and such an en-
brace. What could it all mean?
A week after this interview, | called at the
White House, with friend from England, who
was DESTROYS of an introduction TO the remarkable
man who then occupied the presidential chair.
We were received by Jeremy Grant, the Irish
door keeper, who with an absence of ceremony
which aslonIshed my transatlantic companion,
took us up stairs, and pointing to the cabinet
chamber said, You will find the old man in that
ROOM" Aware of Jeremy's despotic character,
entered without further question. The first OBJ
ject saw was Miss Smith, lifting The Presidents
hand 10 her lips while an expression Of earnest
gratitude irradialed her face. She held docu.
ment with u seal, which looked like some official
commission Two or three members of Congress,
who had apparently accompanied her, were pres.
ent. On beholding the group, drew back but
was too late to escape unobserved. The Presi-
dent called upon me by name TO enter and NJ ISIS
Smith, turning at the same moment greeted me
with an inimiiable grace.
"A call of the House p exclaimed Jeremy
Grant, in his gruff voice, thrusting his head alb
ruptly into the room, and as quickly Withdrawing
il.
"The Sergeant.at-arms will be after u.s." ex-
claimed one ofthe Representatives.
We are now wanted al The Capitol" said an
other "Wil you not accompany us, Miss Smith,
since we cannot return 10 your home with you ?"
Here is one to whose care you may confide
me may they not" said Miss Smith, turning TO
me.
OF course | acquiesced, with many blessings
upon Jeremy Gran; for scattering the Congress
men.
Introducing my friend TO the Chief Magistrate,
| gave my arm 10 the lady, and we took our leave.
When we were seated in the carriage, she ex-
claimed, pressing the parchment she held 10 her
heart, "At length have succeeded An explain
alton is due 10 you; Tor you were one of the lew
VINO have respected my secret, and evinced no
idie curiosity. DO not look as if | were OH the
eve OF revealing some great mystery, for my story
IS a simple one, and can be told in a very few
words am from very small and obscure vii.
lage in the upper part of the State of New York,
where lived with my husband, young lawyer,
until he was visited by pulmonary affection,
winch excited my constant anxiety The physi-
CLANS saih ihpra ~ afatv in