Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-11-04

Announce my name only" said
Madame B., TO the footman, as he
ushered us into small ante-chamber.
"Madame Lasteyrie is probably not
prepared, at this hour, to see strangers,
but / will be responsible for her reeeiy-
ing my friend"
The footman disappeared, returned,
and admitted US into a miniature apart
ment, simply, almost scantily furnish
ed, which served General La Fayette's
estimable daughter both as drawing
room and sale a maanger. Over the
mantle hung fine portrait Of the re-
nowned hero himself. But a more
glowing and faithful image Of him
might be traced in the benign counte-
nance of the venerable lady, who rose
to receive-or rather, if give the
true term to her reception, to weieome
US.
She was alfred in a sober-colored
dress, ssrupulously neat, but of re-
markably coarse texture, and to which
the touch Of no Partisan coutnriere's
fingers had given an air of fashion,
while it destroyed every appearance
Of simplicity. Over her bosom a white
cambria kerchief was plainly folded,
and on her head she wore ribbonless
and bowless cap, apparently ofno more
costly materials. A few loose curl,
of her own silver hair fell about her
exceedingly fair face, and gave TO it an
expression of softness which would
have been totally destroyed by the un.
graceful false hair beneath which A
merican ladies with false pride and
fsl.er taste) think it decorous to hide
their own snow-besprinkled locks
Madame de Lasteyrie was long past
her prime; but the deep lines on her
mild thong Oh animated countenance told
from their situation that they had not
been traced by discomfort, nor wore
there by care. Her address, in addi-
ton to the suavity and ease peculiar to
all French ladies, was characterized by
an air of kind sincerity, which in a
moment won the confidence and in
spired the esteem Of every one brought
within her sphere.
She was sitting. when we entered,
near bright wood fire, in front of a
couple Of meanly clad and sickly look
ing old women, and beside a pale
checked young one, with babe at her
breast. A little tattersd urchin stood
at the woman's knee, and graphing in
either hand huge slice Of dry bread,
which he was so absorbed in devour-
ing that he found it inconvenient to
desist examining his mouth at our en-
trance, although he looked up indeed
with an expression Of fear lest we had
come to share his repast.
Madame do Lasteyrie rose in haste,
and it might have been with some
slight confusion on seeing . stranger;
but Madame B., introducing me
without apology, said, 81 have brought
you one ofmy American friends"
"That she is an American would be
sufficient to render her welcome, even
without her being your FRIEND" repli-
ed Madame de Lasteyrie, shaking
hands with me warmly, "my love and
admiration for your noble country
form link between me and all Amer
leans"
The kind old lady then begged US
to excuse her few miutes, and turned
TO her less elegantly attired but not less
welcome guests. After giving them
few directions in low tone and pat
ting the head Of the ragged and fsmish-
ed looking boy, who hardly dcontn-
ued his repast at the touch Of her gen
tie hand, she dismissed them. They
left her presence with well stored bas-
kets, swelling bundles. and, if might
Judge from their faces, full and CRATE
full hearts, which communicate a holy
JOY to her own. such as all may expe-
rience but none readily describe.
As the door closed upon them, Ma
dame de Lasteyrie seated herself BY
my side, and commenced an animated
principally about Ameri-
cs and the Americans, 0nce or twice
she alluded to her heroic father, and
the high opinion he entertained of our
country and government, but tears
gathered in her gentle eyes as she
spoke of him. and made fnrbear to pur.
sue the interesting topic Our visit
was OF some what longer duration than
etiquette would have authorized. but