The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-02-14

The end of this days journey brought the trsv-
ellers to Baltimore Here they designed remain
ing one day, for the purpose Of seeing something
of the city, and of making few more purchases.
They spent the day in walking or riding through
the city, and returned to their hotel at night so
fatigued, that the ladies retired to their apart
ment very early in the evening.
On reaching their room, Brightly observed on
the toile-table a small packet, addressed to her.
self having the card of General Stuart-Gordon
attached to it, She opened the packet aud found
a casket she raised the lid and beautiful set Of
jewels flashed into her eyes First an exclsma-
tion Of admiration and delight escaped her lips, as
she held them nearer the light TO examine their
brilliancy: but in the next instant she fell into
gravity-raised the card and looked at it-then
glanced at Louise who was undressing in dis
tant part Of the room, and quite unconscious Of
the treasures on the dressing table-then she
looked again in admiration on the jewels. They
consisted of earrings breastpin, necklace, and
bracelet, of fine topazes. Lastly, she closed the
casket wrapped it again in its envelope, tied it
securely, and taking writing materials from her
trunk, stood there and penned the following char
aeteristc note
Britannia O'Riley offers her earnest and most
respectful esteem to General Stuart-G ordon, and
solicits his permission to return the accompanying
casket, with deep gratitude, and with this expla-
nation:
Britannia O'Riley's circumstances, by denying
her the privilege of making costly presents deprive
her of the pleasure of reeciring them"
When she had folded, sealed and directed this
note she attached it to the top of the packet by
slipping it 10 between the cords and the envelope,
and rang the bell. A chamber-maid answered it.
"Do you know the number of the room occupied
by the gentleman who accompanied us hitherto
"Yes Miss; it is number twenty -six--the next
room but oneo
Has he retired yeti"
"No, Miss; | have just seen him enter the
reading-room."
"Tbeu il his door is open, take This packet aud
leave il on his dressing table, and return and let
me know when you have done So" said Britannia,
handing the casket.
The girl took it and went, and in two minutes
returned to report her errand accomplished.
"What was that, Brightly inquired Louise, as
the girl left the room.
ooh, only purchase of the Generals, left upon
our toilettablen And the girls retired to rest.
Early the next morning, and as soon as be had
ascertained that the young ladies had arisen and
dressed, General Stuart Gordon raped at their
door, and, upon its being opened, offered his arms
to the girls with an air sad ceremony to conduct
them down to breakfast
The passage of breakfast was rather amusing,
could the spectator have been in the secret. The
General was very grave ate but little and heaved
great signs, as he buttered his bread. At the end
of breakfast both the young ladies arose to return
to their room, and get ready to resume their jour-
ney But General Stuart Gordon stepped after
them and arrested their further progress by tsking
the hand of Britannia, and inquiring in low but
assured tone il Miss Riley wosld grant him the
favor of an interview. Britannia bowed her head
hao tod 10,
the ladies' parlor, then vacant and led with great
Difference to a seat.
General Stuart-Gordon, standing respectfully
before her, said
Miss O'Riley, you have humbled me"
al am very unhappy in having undesignedly
offended you sir" said Brightly.
81 said that you had hunabled me, Miss ORR
leyn
Stuart Gordon. / would not hear my best friend
use 1t in connection with your honored name"
Miss O'Riley, am humbled you will restore
my selfrespect by the acceptance Of the small Of
fering laid upon your shrine.'
General Stuart. Gordon, you will pardon me,
and permit me to adhere to rule that circum-
stances make it necessary for my selfrespect that
should observe"
"Then this seems to be question Of pride be-
tween usD
"Of prowiay"
"Miss O'Riley, you are proud"
al acknowledge the factn
HYou are naughty"
"Perhaps so, sometimes, and with some people"
"Arrogantn
"Nevern
"Disprove the charge, then, by receiving from
a friend bauble, that any other young lady, un-
der the same circumstances, would accept without
hesitation
"But am not any other young lady" replied
Britannia rising and drawing up her slight elias
tic figure.
81 said that you were arrogant, and so you are"
"You misapprehend me, sir humbly thank
you for all and sundry your benevolent wishes and
intentions towards me,o said Brightly
Miss O'Riley" questioned General Stuart
Gordon, after pause, "what disposition shall
make of this casket?"
"Your own discretion will direct you Alright,
General Stuart Gordon. II would be great pre-
sumption in me to suggest their proper destina-
tom
aThe boudoir of the future Mrs. Stuart-Gor-
dom
b "Would be very fitting disposal of them"
81 perfectly agree with you. And lay them
at the feet of the future Mrs. Stuart Gordon, IL
Miss O'Riley will honor the ancient name by ac-
ceptng IT, with the devotion Of its oldest repre-
sentative exclaimed the General, suting the ac-
ton to the word, by calamity dropping upon one
knee and depositing the casket at the feet of
Britannia.
Don't laugh, or rather do if you like but this
mas something like the style Of wooing in our
grandmother's days--the days of hoops and high
heeled shocs-of damask and brocades-of high
head dresses stately, minuet walks elaborate
double curteses, first to the right and then to
the left--of gallant toasts and Of set speeches
.Sall tatfa lpa
Grandson, &C. formed the light literature Of the
dayZYes, this was the style Of courtship in favor
with gentlemen of the old school, especially where
the gentlemen were old themselves, and somewhat
stiff and proud Many a reported courtship Of
the olden time have heard from the lips Of my
grandmother and grand-aunts. 1t may be that
these stately airs were assumed only by the de-
scendans OF the cavalier settlers the citizens OF
aristocratic Maryland and Virginia II may be
that the republican children of the Purtans never
affected such
But while have been talking with you, Brit
ANNA has been standing there with her eyes
cast upon the ground, with her hand claaped in
that Of General Stuart-Gordon, receiving his dec
laration.
At it's close, she gravely withdrew her hand,
and, saying calmly, General Stuart.Gordon
amuses himself at my expense" cur'esied, and
was passing from the room, when he stepped
quickly after her, and, taking her hand, said
"Miss ORiley, admire you would say,
Britannia, | love thee, but that your lip might
curl to hear such declaration from man OF my
years. But, Britannia, do very earnestly re-
spect you, very highly esteem you-my happiness
is dependent upon your society. wish to make
you my wife, the mistress of my house, the CON-
panion of my domestic life, the partner of my So
cial and solitary hours. Britannia, do you think
that woman could be happy as the wife Of aman
many years her seniorp
There was deep-toned sadness in his voice as
he asked this question, that appealed to Brightys