The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-05-09
THE NATIONAL ERA.
WASHINGTON, MAY 6, 1850.
GcoPY-RIGHr sKcuRRDl
THE M0THER-IN-LAW.
BOOK SECOND.
THE TWO ATTACHMENTS.
Wouldst beard the lion In his lair
The tigress In her den 7-Scott.

IL.
THE TWO ATTACHMENTS.
wouldst beard the lion in his lair
The tigress in her den l-Scotf.
When Gertrude reached the hall, she found
Zoe standing midway its length, with the
two bloodhounds crouched at her feet. She
had lust called them off the bailiff, who was now
standing Just within the door, his hat in his hand
Without degning to notice him, Gertrude walked
straight up to the standing rack, and taking her
riding-whip down, began to crack it for pastime
lust as lady would open and shut her fan, or
dandy would twiddle his cane for amusement.
The baiiff bowed-hemmedl loudly twice or thrice
to attract her attention, but Gertrude went on
ainging out the lash of her whip and bringing it
up with loud report, while her fine, transparent
nOstrils expanded and quivered with spirit.
Beg your pardon, mum but you are Miss
Lion, presume7"
Sir, you are very presuming! ~ exclaimed
Gertrude, with startling, supercilious surprise,
and glancing at the intruder from head to foot
Apparently used to rebutfs, the bailiff proceeded
without embarrassment to say
{" You harbor girl here who goes by the name
Of ZoeD
al harbor fellow here whose name do not
knowD
excuse me, mum! My name is Jones"
"And very pretty name it is, too--isn't it,
Zoe?n
"Ah, Zoe! That is the girl, is it, Well,
Miss Lion, have an attach ment for this girl"
"Indeed, have you, sir 2 Really, how conde-
scending on your part how fattering to her |!
Do you hear, Zoe This gentleman declares
that he has an attachment for you. What do
He is q nice-looking young man enough! a trife
bandy-legged and club-footed trife round
shouldered, and wee-bit cross-eyed not fair to
look upon in particular, and rather hard favored
in general still, no doubt, he has an excellent
heart-at least his attachment does him credit !!
What do you say to him, Zoe?n Unable to
comprehend this scene, Zoe gazed from one to the
other, in distressing embarrassment "You see,
Mr.. Jones, Zoe and myself properly appreciate
the honor you have done US, while We gratefully
decline your attachment. l am afraid, indeed,
that in Zoe's case there is prior attachment we
therefore decline yours with many thanks and
with high appreciation of its value! We
think it does honor to your intellect and affec-
lions" said Gertrude, with scathiug irony The
-bsilif was confused making an effort to recover
himself, he said
"Miss Lion, you cannot affect to misunder-
stand that come at the suit of Cassnoe & Co,
cothiers, Peakville y
"Oh-h-h! sure enough! He don't speak for
himself modest SOUL He presses another mans
suit-he is not counting on his own hook |!
He is not Cupid himself-only Cupids messen-
ger It's merchant tailor that has fallen in
love with you, Zoe!"
Miss Lion, l say that have an attachment
for this girl ~
ooh, you have Just now it was Cassinoe &
Co-now it's you, Poor fellow love has turned
his brain; he doesn't know what he is talking
about! Presently he won't know which end heis
standing on -
Miss Lion, | repeat it, have an attachment
for this girl, and shall proceed to serve !"
Il think you won't, sir! To say nothing Of
my brothers. prior attachment, / have an attach
ment for this girl that will be likely to stand in
your wayln
Miss Lion, / attach Zoe Wood as the prop
erty of Miss Susan Somerville, and at the suit of
Cassinoe & Co, clothiers, Peskville D.
ooh, you do! Well attach Zoe Dove as
the betrothed of my brother, at the suit of Bru-
tus Lion, lover and avenger and we'll see whose
attachment is the stronger ~ exclaimed Gertrude,
her bosom visibly heaving-her nostrls culver
ing. The bailf walked up to Zoe, and touched
her on the shoulder
HANDS oFF!n shouted Gertrude, bringing the
loaded end of her riding-whp down upon the
floor with the force Of hammer on the anvil,
the walls resoundng with the report The
balif involuntarily started back.
Come here, Zoe" said Gertrude holding out
her arms for the child. The poor gir--the VIC
tm of vague terror-fed to her protector.
Gertrude, with flashing eyes, raised the end of
her whip, menacing the bailiff, while she encir-
cied the waist of Zoe by one arm, and laid the
head Of Zoe gently on her own broad, soft bosom.
There, there, there, there don't be terrified,
Zoe nothing shall hurt you, Zoe III horse
whip the fellow within an inch of his life, IL he
does but lay his hand on you again, 50 will!n
Miss Lion, are you aware that you are trans
crossing the law ~
Mr.. Bailiif, don't care a fox's brush for any
law but the ten commandments
do you know that in harboring slave you
expose yourself ton--
Mr. Jones, your way home lies straight out
behind you give you two minutes grace and
II AT the end OF that time you are not out of this
n""' III put you outp exclaimed Gertrude. her
BOSOM neaving like the ocean waves in a tempest
he' hPs qu'vering, her nostrils di.tended he,
eyes hashing, sparkling, and scintillstinv a,
though they would explode.
Miss Lion, do you know, are Won .w.,. ,,.,
you are threatening an officer Of the law %
la! hal ha. ha !-ha ha. ba,
II an officer Of the law don't take himself on,
of my sight in double quick time. pm tai. -
officer OF the law by the nape Of his neck and
the straps Of his pantaloons, and throw an off
Ger Of the law over the precipice. You know
me, sir? lam Gertrude Lionr
know, and the county knows, Miss Lion
that you are one who sets at defiance all the Law,
OF delicacy proper to your sexr
Hear the fellow Zoel lrn't you ashamed
OF being woman, Zoe, when every critter, who
sticks his spindle shanks into pair OF ranged
pants, thinks himself invested with the robes q
aJadgs, and entitled TO pronounce upou What 4,
delicate and proper for III. sexi Whev, what ,
famous thing II must be to be mani One mich,