Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-06-25
Nj ISC f l. l. A NY.
AN EXCELLENT STORY
SCENES IN LIFE. AS SEEN FROM A wINDoy

SCENES IN LIFE, AS SEEN FROM A WINDOW.
Diagonally opposite TO my window, stands one of
the proudest structures on Broadway 1t is costly.
with stone and marble, lofty porticos and colonadcs.
This ediilcc rs; attracted my attention by its arch
tectural beauty, and eventually fixed it by myste-
ry that seemed, to my curious eve, surrounding one
of its inmates! But will throw into the storyyei
what have TO narrate, for it is novelette, i'm itself
"A lady OF dazzling beauty was an inmate of that
mansion and, for aught knew to the contrary its
only Inmate. Every afternoon, arrayed in simple
white. with flower or two in her hair she was
seated Mt the drawing room window payinr ont
upon the gay spectacle Broadway exhibits on
pleasant afternoon. l saw her the first moment |
took possession of my nook. and was struck with
her surprising LONELINESS. Every evening paid
distant homage to her beauty Dare poor scrib
bier aspire to near approach to such divinity.
enshrined IN wealth and GRANDEUR No worship
ped, aiar oil. els distance lends enchantment TO
the view." But she was not destined to be SO wor-
shipped by all One afternoon she was at her
window, with glt-leaved volume in her hand.
when gentleman OF the most graceful bearing rode
past my window He was well mounted and sat
on his horse like an Arabian He was what the
boarding school Misses would call an elegant fellow.
a well-bred man of the world, a remarkably hand
some man Tall. with fine oval face a black
penetrating eye, and moustache upon his lip to-
gether with fine figure, and the most perfect adj
dress, he was, what should term, a captivating
and dangerous man. His air and a certain indies
crbabe CONNIE il fat, bespoke him a gentleman
AS he came opposite to her window, his eye, as
he turned 1t thither became fascinated with her
beauty. How much ovecr really lovely crea-
ture appears, seen through ''plate glass !" Invol-
unfairly he drew in his spirited horse and raised his
hat. The action, the manner, the grace were mi
mitable. AT this unguarded moment. the hind
wheel of rumblng omnibus struck his horse in the
chest. The animal reared high, and would have
fallen backward upon his rider. had he not with
remarkable presence of mind, stepped quietly and
gracefully from the strrup to the pavement as the
horse, losing his balance, fell violently on his side.
The lady, who had witnessed with surprise the in
voluntary homage of the stranger, for such, from
her manner OF receiving it, he evidently was to her.
started from her chair and screamed conyulsvely.
The next moment he had secured and remounted
his horse, who was only slightly stunned by the
fall, acknowledged the interest taken in his mis-
chance by the fair being who had been its innocent
cause, by another bow, and rode slowly and com
posedly onward, as if nothing unusual had occurred.
The next moment the carriage was at the door of
the mansion. The liveried footman was standing
with the steps down, and the handle OF the door in
his hand. The coachmaB was seated upon his
box. was, as usual, at my window The street
door was opened, and. with light STEP the graceful
form of my heroine came forth, and descended to
the carriage. At that moment the stranger rode up
bowed with ineffable grace, and blessed encoun-
ter that with the omnibus wheelD his bow was ac-
knowledged by an inclination of her superb head
and smile that would make man of any soul seek
accidents even in the ''cannon's mouth" He rode
slowly forward, and in few seconds the carriaUe
took the same route. 1t was the customary one.
At the melting Of twilight into night, the throng
OF riders and drivers repassed.-"The lady'sn car
rage ut was landau, and the top thrown back)
came last of ALL The cavalier was riding beside it,
He dismounted as it drew up before the door assist
ed her to the pare and took his leave For sever
al afternoons, SUCCESSFULLY the gentlemans appear
ance, mounted on his noble animal, was simultane-
Gus with that OF the lady at her carriage One
evening they were unusually late on their return
Finally the landau drew up before the door, 1t was
TOO dark to see faces, but could have declared the
equestrian was not the stranger mol He dis
mounted, opened the door Of the carriage, and the
gentleman and lady descended The footman had
rode his horse, while he happy man, occupied
seat by the side of the fair one | watched the
progress of this affair for several days. and still the
stranger had never entered the house One day.
about three o'clock in the afternoon, | saw him
loungng past, with that ease and self possession
which characterized him He passed and repassed
the house two three times, and then rather hasti
ly ascending the steps Of the porco, pulled at the
bell The next moment he was admitted, and dis
appeared out Of my sight. But only for a moment,
reader! An attic hath its advantages The blinds
OF the drawing were drawn, and impervious
to any glance from the street but the leaves were
turned so as TO let in the light of heaven and nv
own gaze. could sec through the spaces. directly
down into the room, distinctly as il there was no
obstruction This give as a hint TO all concern
cd, who have revolving leaves to their ventian
blinds. Attic gentlemen are much edited thereby
The next moment he was in the room. his hand up
on his heart-another, and saw him at her feet,
The declaration, the confession, the acccptation,
all passed beneath me most edigyingly BY his an
mated gestures, could see that nc was urging her
10 take some sudden step. She at first appeared
reluctant, but gradually becoming more placable,
yielded In ten minutes the landau was at the door
ihey came out arm in arm, and entered it. could
I Ie INC order to the coachman: Drive to St.
194n church" can elopementv' thought I.
Having been In at breaking cover. will be in at
INC dc''n :" and taking my hat and gloves, | des-