Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-11-12
The Two Purses.
Life Among the Boston Aristocracy

1t was cold winter night, and the
wind whistled through the bare limbs OF
trees that lined the wall. The ground
was covered with snow. upon whose sur
face the light of the moon fell with daz-
zling splendor, studding the Interested
ground with brilliant diamonds. As the
Old South clock strikes nine, a young
man wrapped in his cloak, sought the
shade Of the large tees in the park, from
whence he watched the coming oi the
numerous carriage loads nf gally dressed
people of both sexes, who entered one OF
The princely houses Oh Beacon street.
Through the richly stained glass win
dows, the gorgeous light issued in a asteady
flood, accompanied by the thrilling tones
of music from full hand the house H.
Illuminated a, every poin' seemed crowded
with gay and happy spirits. The siran-
ger still contemplated the scene--hls cloak
which until now enveloped the lower part
of his features had lallen discovering a
face Of manly beau!y, a full dark eye.
with arching brows; ana short curing
hair, as black as The raven pumagc, se;-
TING off to great advantage his Grecian
stvle of feature--a becoming mouSlache
cured about his mouth, giving decided
classic appearance 10 his whole face
The naval button on his cap showed that
he belonged TO that class OF or national
defence.
sShall enter said he thoughlully 10
himself, and feast ny eyes on charms !
never can possess Hard fate, that ]
should he bound 10 the iron chains OF
poverty--vet | am man, and have a
soul as noble rs the best Of them. We
will see" and crossing over to the gay
scene, he entered the hall. He cast of
his over-shoes, handed his coat and cloak
to a servant and un-annpunced, mingled
with the beauty and fashion that thronged
the rooms. Gradually he made his way
among the crowd in whose centre stood
bright and beautiful being, the queen III
lnveliness of that brilliant assembly. The
bloods of the West End nockcd about her
seeking for an approving glance from
those drcarv blue eyes half abs'rarted.
she answered or spoke upon the topics o.
conversation, without apparent interest.
Suddenly SIZE started. h!usErcd deeply
dropped a halt courtesy. in token rcc"g-
niiiun To some one without the group.
Tier eyes no longer languId, now sparkIed
with animation. and as our naval friend
entered the group abou! her she laid her
inv glovcd hand in his, saying:
.Welcome Ferris, we had feared that
your sailing orders had taken you to sea,
his bleak weather.
We should not have lifted anchor
without first paving tribute 10 our queen,
was the gallan, reply.
A riter ran through the circle ot eX-
rIusives at his appearance among them
hu, when the lady appeared, there was no
room for complaint.
The gay scenes of the night wore on.
several times had Ferris Howard com
p'etclv put at fault the shallow brained
tops around him, plaring them in any
thing but an cnviable ligh'.
Ferris Howard was d Lieutenant i'll the
Navy and depended entirely on his pay
As an officer 10 support his widowed
mother and Young sister, to both olwhom
ne wa. dpvotedly attached. His Father
was a self-made man; lad once been
4 successful merchant. who sailed and
freinhted some of The heaviest tonned YES
sells that left ,he port Of Boston--but mis-
fortune and sickness overIook him, and
he sunk into the grave, leaving his only
son 10 protect his mother and sister from
the uanis and ills of life. Ferris had en-
loved a liberal educaion, and having en-
tered the Navy as ID Midshlpman, had
raised TO Lieu,enancy. by reason OF his
acquiremenrs and good conduct. His
profession had led him to all parts OF the
world. and he had carefully improved his
advan,ages--ihongh constrained by hls
limited means. to ihe practice OF The most
rigid economy.
He had mp, with The only daughter OF
Harris Il. one of he weallhies, citi-
znns in Boston. at feie gwen on board
The snip to which he belonged. and hau
imme,ltaeIv became enamored OF her
hut he wei knew in his cwn heart he
difference in Jheir fortunes formed bar
riqr Ia his wishes. He lad been cas-
ual visitor fnr several months subsequent
tn The time our story commences, al the
house Ct he Il family
i mus, ,hink of her no more, SAID
Ferris ,n himself. III am sneere'i al by
her friends for oflring her common CIV
lilies. with what contempt would her
ausrere parents receive proposiIIon i"r
her hand from one sn poor and unknown
Harris H., was indeed Stern old man
and vet he was said to be kind TO the
poor. giving freely of his bounty to the
relief of the needy. Still he was strange,
10 .ollo,1 smoke tn those around