Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1850-06-21

/ stayed at home and solaeed himself with a
few fine cigars (Thompson's cigars) and
glass Of brandy and water. Cross had the
best brandy his fellow-boarders had ever
tasted. He got it at wholesale prices from
his cousin, of the firm of Schroeder & Co., I'M
Porters.
But to return to the back piazza controver-
sy. Mrs. Hopkins, upheld by Mrs. Jones
and Miss Smith, maintained her ground stout
ly. ''What was TO distinguish them from a.
ny vulgar people, from'-the Bowery, she
was going TO say, but she had objections best
known to herself to alIuding to that part of
the city when it could be avoided, so she sup
piled Greenwich Street." to be as far from
the dangerous secret as possible. No, bund-
les were not to be carried by those who were
not ashamed to give their address to a fash
ionable shop-boy. Otherwise, out of two E.
wills, that which might be considered least
was to be chosen.
Just then Mrs. Hopkins directed the atten-
ton ofthe group 70 plainly-dressed lady on
the other side of the way. No. 20 being
corner house, the piazza blinds commanded
view Of - Place also.
There goes Mrs. HowIand,' said She
''What a lovely bonnet she has on, though
she always dresses so plainly! Still you can
i see it is of the very best Of Materials
Il don't know what it is about her, said
Mr.. Hopkins, warmly ''but she always looks
to me like an angel, or real lady, mean
quite as scarce an article nowadays. And
yet one is never struck by what she has on
I 4 l., = F-I, 10
eel! Look. Yes a parcel, Mrs. Jones, and
not roll of music or a paper of pins, either.
! Much more like yards Of table linen or flannel,
from its size and shape"
The female part Of the conclave on the pi-
azza of No. 30 were struck dumb. There
was no appeal from so visible fact. Mrs.
7 How,and, the great lady of --SquaTe, who
need not set foot on the pavement except to
cross it to her carriage who had servants e.
nough FOR a small hotel, and was acknowl-
edged to be the leader in "the innermost'-
/ Mrs Howland was actually walking when
+ she could as well ride, and carrying brown
J paper parcel!
/ Mrs. Hopkins looked at Mrs. Jones as iffor
I an expla nation Of this singular phenomenon
Her husbands air Of triumph was most pro-
vokingIy felt by all of them. Not one had
ever hesitatad to acknowledge the superiority
/ Of Mrs. Howland. Mrs. Jones would have
+ given half their income to be invited to one of
( her parties and because she could not get it
amused herself by snee.ing at those who did.
i She had, however laid assidious court to Mr.
I Newbold, the only gentleman in the house
. -,-L II -.I+ -
/ her friends innumerable bits Of gossip-which
! he had accidentally furnished her with-as
! fresh from her experience and observation
I Miss Smith was most enthusiastic in her ad-
miration of their neighbor's household, from
the baby tossed up and down before the nurse
! ~ windows, to the servant lad, who did not
wear livery. This last Miss Smith consid-
cred a great want Of taste.
Ms. Hopkins shared in the general ''hero-
worship" and modelled her dress upon the
Rowland pattern. This accounts, in some
measure, for the exceedingly good taste usu-
ally visible in her toilet; though to do thelit-
tie lady justice, she was not wanting in this
particular. On the contrary, the great lady's
dress was the only thing v hich Mrs. Jones
and her sister did net approve Of They took
care to show this by the deep founce, fine
/ feathers, and glittering silks in which they
were arrayed.
! And now Mrs. Rowland, whom they all
quoted, had actually been seen to enter her
+ elegant mansion carrying bundle,
Mr.. Newbold had hitherto listened to the
+ discussion IL silence, partly because it anu
sed him, and partly that he was resesved,
gentIemanIy man, who did not choose TO in
trude his opinou; but now he came forward,
and daclared that it was by no means solita-
~ instance. Mrs. Howland often walked
down town without her carriage, and returned
bringing her own purchases when they were
not too large. 81 remember meeting her my
/ self, one morning''-(AIr Hopkins gave him
greatfuI look as he proceeded )-''near the
corner Of Bleeker Street, and offering to take
the package from her. No said she, i
wonld not even trust it to you. It's a shade
for Mr.. Howland's study lamp; and, if you
were to break it, l have no time to 60 back
for another I asked her why she had not or
dered it sent home. 'Shopboys might be
+ careles as some other people, was her an
swer: and. besides, they have enough to do
running for people who are too grand to wait
on themselves. One Of these persons anu
sed me very much this morning while l was
selecting this shade. She purchased 5 shil-
ling china figure, a very common affair, and
small, as you may suppose; asked to have II
sent hons mile or sor It's an actual fact,
though you may think it improbable; so you
need not smile, Mrs. Jones'"
Alas. the troubled smile expressed any
thing rather than doubt Of Mrs. Hollands
veracity; she was we'll aware of the truth
She knew that the very china figure in ques-