Democratic banner., 1845-05-24
Nh N s
A sketch OfISeal Life.

h storm which had been pclilng
furiously during the day ceased 10
rage-,he golden rays OF the depart
ing sun were lowering over the City
OF "brotherly love" and exhibited
the dripping foliage in a manner tie
most beautiful and magnificent, as !
was returning from the tolls of n long
long Summers day, intending for
the sake of change and varie,v-to
devote the evening TO The gay--,he
eIddy dance. AS darkness became
visible, might be seen each of the
lavorlle. few making his, or her toilet,
10 attend the celebrated Ball, given
IN honor of q Of natures MODEST
works.
Not being a Chesterfield in prompt
ness Or poilteness, it was somewhat
late when | reached the place design
ed for the gay fesiivity, and although,
have twice been taken for a divine.
and once called a Temple, yet, | con.
Tess, when | saw many brigh, faces,
and gorgeous decorations i, created
within my bosom, the most lively E.
motions. There is something in the
ball room, and the dance that brings
even the matron, and father of two
score and ten years, back TO the DAYS
IT youth and vivacity, and they for
get for a moment the cares and sor-
rows, that mingle with, and become
q portion of our earthly existence,
and SO rapidly increase as We are
hurried onward in our journey through
life, | noticed one however, IN this
gay throng that seemed some wi.atin
different 10 all around. He wag
promenading when | entered, and
whether my attention was attracted
by his manly and digniied appear
anee, or by the lovely being leaning
upon his arm, | leave the reader to de.
eide. | had just seated myself near
some female acQuaintances, when 9
sweet voice asked "are you acquain,
ed with Mr.. Stedman" | was moi
was the reply. "He is the gentle
man you see p~rominading, and is ie
be married soon to the Lady witt
whom he is walking--oh! she is &
perfect child Of fortune 10 &c, such {
gentleman, and so very rich!" Ma
ry you seem interested, is it the los,
OF the fortune or its owner tina
grieves you! Neither. Ionly Won
der At the dispensa,ions Of provi
dence; Miss Gale is and interestin,
glrl, but can see nothing TO win tn
affections Of so talented a gentleman
as Mr.. Stedman. Besides his larg
fortune is a passport to any Lady
heart;-l mean his fortune and hi
talents, not his half million alone
suppose you separate the two Mary
II not likely the talents would hav
10 llnger long, at least at the door {
your heart, for with you one seem
10 be the very life and soul Of tn
other. But Mary, is Mr.. Stedman {
the firm Of Hale & Co. of-S,ree,
yes;-hls father set him up in bus
ness a few years since, and believ
he has been unusually successful
Have yoL spoken to him tonight, We
does he seem gloomy!-rather s
but concluded it was because |
was going 10 be married.
We were now joined by Mr.. Ste
man, and Miss Gale, and ! was intr
duced 10 the interesting couple. TT
former asked me if I had "noticed
the evenings papers the number
failures in the City, and said notwit
standing some Of the wise men
our nation, had fore,old the evil d;
would come, yet lie did not expect
scene so awfully shocking and d.
iructive." saw tina, heavy foreb
dIngs e lurking about him Al
waived the subject.
Stedman was left 10 his own !
Election whilst | acted the beau wi
his intended and Mary. The latte
c%ountenaHce had assumed a mo
lively appearance-the scene had b
20 ~ much o brilliant, and t