The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-07-29
CaStletos, ". Ju3y7h, 1917.
A TALE OF BOSTON.

Boston, the Athens of America the Yam
llce city, the city Of notions, most Of my read,
ers doubtless know from personal observation
to be thus appropriately named The first
title she merits in consideration of the liberal
encouragement of literature and fine arts ::
the second, too, for the peculiar genius and
character of her population; and though we
may look upon the backwoodsmcn of New
England as real specimen Of the Yankee,
the native Bostonian is the acknowledged
representative of the tribe GfI may so speak,
a brood and the third title is merited from
the fact Of the never-tiring inventive genius Of
its inhabitants.
Possessing population ofnearly hundred
thousand, she is yet free in a great measure,
compared with her sister cities in the Union,
from the horde Of vices and evil customs that
prevail 1T the South and West The gambler
here accomplishes his work in secret, there
are no public billiard rooms, masquerade balls
or resort Of infamy, though all these evils cX-
list in a greater or less degree in all large pop
ulated places, yet so hidden as not to come
before the eye of innocence, or tempt those
who do not take the steps to vice.
Boston, courteous reader, the Yankee city
of Massachusetts Bay, shall be the locale of
our tale.
There is portion Of the West part Of the
town here as in London, occupied by the
more opulent of the inhabitants, in the imme
datc neighborhood of the Common as it is
called. The yicinityis the aristocraic section
Of the city
You will not find this spirit of pride or ar
istocracy to consist of society as in the old
country there, birth alone establishes the
claim to distinction, while here, wealth is the
most powerful. All! in this boosted free
country, gold is the leveller of all ranks,
forming for it self a kingdom out Of the Re
public, which it rules with a rod Of iron, though
in tbs Yankee city, genius and intellect are
far more readily appreciated than in other
parts of the State.
1t was a cold winter night, and the wind
whisted 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 daz-
zlnG splendor, studded the encrusted ground
with brilliant diamonds. As the old South
clock struck nine, a young man,closcly wrap
ped in his cloak sought the shade of one Of
the large trees in the park, from whence he
watches the coming Of numerous carriage
loads of gaily dressed people of both sexes,
who entered enc of the principle mansions i'll
Beacon street. Through the richly stained
glass, the gorgeous light issued in a steady
flood, accompanied by the thrilling tones of
music from a full band the house Illuminated
at every point, seemed crowded with gay and
happy spirits. The stranger still contemplate
ed the scene-his cloak, which until now en-
veloped the lower part Of his features, had .
fallen discovering face Of strikingly manly
beauty n full dark eye, with archin9 brows
and short curling hair, black as the raven plu-
marc, set off to great advantage his Grecian
style of feature-a becoming mustache curl
ed about 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 defence.
Shall | enter" said he thoughtfully, to
himself, "and feast my eyes on charms can
never possess a? Hard fate that I should be so
bound by the iron chain of poverty-yet am
| a man, who have a soul as noble as the best
of them We will see" he said, and cross
Ing; over to the gay scene, he entered the
hall i
lie cast off his over-shocs, handed his cloak
and cap to a servant and unannounced, min
ged with the beauty & fashion that thronged
the rooms. Gradually making his way through
the crowd, he sought a group in whose centre
stood bright and beautiful being, the queen
IN loneliness, Of the brilliant assembly.
The bloods' of the West End nockcd