The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-02-19
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Two Purses.
A TALE OF BOSTON.

city OF Massachusetts Bay, shall be tn,
locale of our tale. There is portion o
the west part of the town here as in Lon
don, occupied by the more opulent of thu
inhabitants, in the immediate neighbor
hood of the Common, as it is called
The vicinity is the aristccratic section o.
the city. You will find this spirit ofpridt
or aristocracy to consist Of associations in
the old country there birth alone estab.
fishes the claim to distinction, while here
wealth is the most powerful.-Ah in this
boosted free country, gold is the lover Of
all ranks, forming for itself kingdom out
Of the Republic, which it rules with rod
ofiron, though in this Yankee city, genius
and intellect are far more readily app!e-
ciated than in any other part of the
State.
1t was cold winter night, and the
wind whistled shrill through the bare
limbs of the giant trees that lined the
mall. The ground was covered with
snow, upon whose sparkling surface the
light of the moon fell with dazzling splen-
dor, studding the encrusted ground with
brilliant diamonds. As the Old South
clock struck nine, young man closely
wrapped in his cloak sought the shade of
one of the large trees in the park from
whence be watched the coming of nu-
merous carriage loads of gaiIy dressed
people of both sexes, who entered one of
the princely houses in Bacon street
Through the richly stained glass windows,
the gorgeous light issued in steady
flood, accompanied by the thrilling tones
of music from full band the house ilu-
minated at every point seemed crowded
with gay and happy spirits. The stran-
ger still contemplated this scene-his
cloak, which had until now enveloped the
lower part of his features, had fallen, dis
covering face of manly beauty, full
dark eye, with arching brows, and short
curling hair, as black as the ravens plu-
mage, set off to great advantage his Gre
clan style Of Feature becoming NOUS
tache curled above his mouth, giving a
decided classic appearance to the whole
face. The naval button on his cap
showed that he belonged to that branch
of our national defense.
''Shall | enter p said he thoughtfuliy
to himself, ''and feast my eyes on charms
that never can possess Hard fate
that | should be so bound by the iron
chains of poverty-yet am man, who
have soul as noble as the best of them.
We will see," he said, crossing over to
the gay scene, he entered the hall.
lie cast off his over-shoes, handed his
cap and CLOAK to the servant, and unan-
nounced mingled with the beauty and
fashion that thronged the rooms. Grad
ually making his way among the crowd he
sought group in whose centre stood a
bright and beautiful being the queen of
loneliness, Ofthat brilliant assembly.
The ''bloods" of the west end hocked
around her, seeking for an approving
glance from those dreamy blue eyes, half
distracted, she answered or spoke upon
The topics of conversation, without ap-
parent interest. Suddenly she started and
blushing deeply, dropped half courtesy,
in token ofrecognition to some one with
out the group. Her eyes no longer Ian
guild, now sparkled with animation, and
rs our naval friend entered the group
about her she laid her tiny gloveG hand
within his, saying "W Welcome Ferris, we
feared your sailing orders had taken you
70 sea this bleak weather"
I'VE should not have lifted anchor
without first paying tribute to our Queen"
vas the gallant reply.
A litter ran through the circle of exclu-
slres at his appearance among them, but
when the lady approved, there was no
cause for complaint
Strange familiarity" said one young
fellow to another; "what professions can
he have here!'
"And Miss H--calIed him by his
given name, too" said another, "rather
familiar that; wonder what the old
man would say to it ''
"What scene does this painting repre-
sent ?" inquired lady friend at this mo-
ment Anne H.
think it is an Italian picture, replied
tho fair girl
Spanish should say" observed he
who was first questioned on the ap-
pearance ofFerris.
Evidently Spanish" said another ex-
quisite, & though regretto differ from
i Miss H"
you err" said Ferris, turning to the
two gentlemen, the lady is right at is
an Italian scene, as will discover by clo-
ser examination of the costumes and 6g-
utes."
Pray, do you establish yourself as an
umpire in the case 2" retorted one of those
who had pronounced the picture to be a
Spanish scene.
81 contend that you are wrong" said
the other, seeking some cause for differ
ence, and desiring to show up the UMPIRE
tending Lieutenant
pardon me, ladie," said Ferris, taking
no notice of the speakers, 81 saw that
painting in the studio of Isola, at Genoa,
few years since, and know from its au-
thor that 1t represents street scene in
that Italian city, otherwiseI should not
have spoken"
An, you have great advantage over