The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-06-20


opera and many n pretty protest against a
bad cold, wasjust commencing piece from
some foreign composer-which was Greek
TO me at the time, hut which since my little
experience in Florida, have concluded was
written in Seminole, as the only words
could distinctly understand were "ba cahp'
Her voice beggnred the notes of the whole
feathered tribe, from the low chirpings ofthe
northern blue bird to the startling cries ofthe
laughing owl, and the swelling throat, the
heaving bosom, the elevation and depression
ofthe eye, We're all calculated to evince the
singers extreme distress. Nor was her in
strumental less strange than her vocal per-
formance: and as | gazed upon her move
ments, in all ignorance of fashionable pinno
tactics, / came to the conclusion that she was
hammerng the instrument into some partic-
ular order preparatory TO regular perform
ance.
At first her left hand gently rose and fell
with spring back motion of the wrist its
fingers dwelling as lightly upon the ivory
keys as n fond mothers upon her infants
snowy brow, and then came from the very
depths of the instrument low, melancholy
moaning sounds, corresponding well with the
interesting air ofsadness assumed AT the mo-
mcnt by the fair and practised performer
The jeweled fingers of her right hand repos-
|
they eXcelled, presenting to those who
had no ear for the concord of sweet sounds
an object for TN cir admiring eyes. A sound,
however, like the distant booming of heavy
ordinance on the extreme left, brought them
into sudden activity, and in moment more
they were curveting in perfect freedom, like
an untamed courser, through the ranks of
keys, producing sounds between the rattle of
snake and the scattering fire of retreating
infantry. A scream, something like the first
of an Irish wall for the dead which | once
heard, now broke as if from her bursting
heart, and indicated that the music was com
ing; her hands approached each other with
sort of echelon movement, but suddenly re-
treated amidsr sharp fire ofsmaIl notes.
Her voice, however, had now recovered it.
self and coming to the aid of the right hand
against the left, the action became general
IL was evident, however, from its violence.
that it could not last long.and amidst the con-
vulsve Cuttings, the energetic poundings
which were progressing on the left and The
erratic hop-skip-and-ium movements on the
right. she closed her performance with such
pathetic appeals ofvoice and air as impress
cd me with misgiving that she was in some
distress of mind or body. She arose, howev-
err, wreathed in smiles and amidst q shower
ofpretty things PRETTY said by all around, she
merely fashionable young lady, in tone, NAM
uer and dress. Her face was beaming with
anmation,and her heaving bosom artistically
concealed to the best advantage struggled
through its gossamer covering like Beu
Ledd's snowy hills through the mists of morn
ing, calling to mind Moore's exquisite lines
"Oh my Nora's gown for me,
That floats as wild as mountain brcezcs,
Leaving every beauty free,
To-sinli or swell as heaven plcases."
From my silent contemplation of this
blond beauty, was aroused by the gentle
voice of my sister, who placing her arm
through mine, led me away, expressing some
surprise that had fingered so long before
such n shrine. In n few words she impaired
to me her friends history euogizing her in
such terms as n generous warln-hearted wo-
man ever employs towards one she loves
We gradually approached and made our way
through semi-circle of gentlemen held in
pleased attention by a lady seated in the midst
ofthem, and whom | had scarcely time TO
scan before the words, "My brother Miss
Black" uttered by my sister, caused her 10
bend upon me the loyeliest eyes | ever met.
felt at once not only the presumption, the
absurdlty ofmy preconceived opinions, but
an indistinct yet pleased conviction that my
time had come, that as n sportsman would
Suys was |uoue Dogdii W OWL mt
The pretty little speech which had framed
for this express occasion made up of 'antici-
pated pleasure ofthis acquaintance" "hope
long deferred--repaid by present happiness"
'associated in my mind with all that was
charming in Newburg," her name as familiar
to my heart as its household gods" and other
pretty nothings, died upon my lips. had
not doubted that would say all this and
more, with the charming air and frankness
of II soldier, so captivating to woman, and
acquit mysefwith as much confidence as
had ever done. before Ross's blackboard
But, alas! the vanity, the weakness of verdant
nineteen! Icertanly said something during
the momentary stiffness that remained around
at nv sudden introduction, but what it was |
have never been able TO recall: and to this
hour my cheek burns and my hands close
conyuIsively whenever reflect upon my first
ridiculous position in her presence.
was somewhat restored to my usual self
by the first sound of her voice,
whose mellow musical tones fell upon my
ear as pleasingly as the play-beils chime up
on the weary school-boys, adding charm TO
each word she uttered. Extending her hand
she said with an air of charming frankness,
that although she looked upon me as an old
acquaintance, from my sisters fond and fire.
quent representations, she had anticipated
this Introduction with n great deal OF pleas
ure.
The ease and grace Of manner with which
these few words We're said shall never for
get, for they were her first to me, and her
eyes, bent upon me during their utterance,
burned them into my heart. The manner,
made up of conscious importance and easy
indifference, with which, had sought her.
had now abandoned me, and l had hncon-
seiously assumed the steudy and determined
& kL..IIna,f,o,,N