Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1850-05-09
From The New York Mrrr.
THE WHITE SPRAY,
OR THE
PEDLAR OF NEwP ORT.
G. ii A p Il T. II |.
By siBIL HASTINGS.

IL nau Deeh day oI oppressive neat,
even in Newport, with scarce air e.
nough astir to have lifted lady's curl.
But as the night came on, casting its
shadows far and wide over the parched
meadows and dropping flowers, gradu-
ally the sea-breese stole up from the
blue Atlantic, whispering its love for the
languid earth.
twas glorious night, late in the
summer Of lS-, and all Newport was
alive with preparations for the grand
fancy ball TO come off that night
at the - House.
Innumerable lights flashed from
chamber windows, and quick, eager vol
ces told of the wlldcring excitement of
many fair ones thoughts, as the grand
toilet Of the season was made.
The evening was wearing away, and
still the simple crowd continued to de-
post, at the entrance fthe hotel, gor-
geously dressed sovereigns of the night
fairy-like flower girls, and statel y lords,
and warrior knights. Far and wide
flashed one gleam of light from the IL
lptainated building, while the very
boughs Of the trees danced many fan
tastic polka, and gay quadrlle, as if in
spired by the rich music gushing out
from every open easement, mlngIing
with the odor Of the sea-breeze the fra
GRANGE Of the flowers.
One ligh, form fingered near the
threshold OF the ladies' drawing room,
a girl of some ten years, with cheeks
too pale, ey es too sad for buoyant child
hood. She was dressed very simply,
with no ornament, save her own dark
curs clustering about the white fore
head and mlngling with the white folds
of her dress. Full of childish admira-
ton, her glance was wandering over the
gay crowd passing onward to the ball
room. For an instant her eye would
rest wonderingly upon some gltterlng
costume, but the next turn impatient
(, Iy aside. and then as she caught the
passing smile Of some lovely being,
her own young face would grow sud-
denly bright with her beaming smile.
Long Sybii Conyers looked upon
the gay procession until her head
grew dizzy with the light and gaety,
and her breath came faint in the per-
fumed al, then with slow, weary step
she passed out upon balcony it was
already occupied, but she was not aware
Of it until she stood close by the side of
a tall figure, in the garb of pedlar
for moment she drew back ,halfin fear,
but the next she stood fearless and qui-
ct by his side, looking up into his face.
1t was a fine, manly countenance, the
nose somewhat prominent, the eyes
very blue, and as the child looked upon
them, full Of dreamy thought-but that
wa. not their usual expression, as she
looked upon them long afterwards and
learnt the mouth was small as woman's
the smile that fingered there would
have been feminine in It's beauty and
witchery, had it not been for the slight
compression fthe lips, the broad, high
brow, and the almost naughty carriage
of the head,
Now Sybil had an affection for all
ped ars, born in the solitude OF long WIS.,
| its at Grandmothcr's, in the country,
! where the arrival of the pedar and his
pack were hailed with irrepresslble
delight, from the very watch dog, who
! sent forth his note of welcome, to
Grandmother, who would lay aside her
knitting as the pedlar came round with
his pack, to inspect his wares and see
| rhe had brought her anything very fine.
Bat, child as she was, she noted that
every gesture of the one before her
was graceful, aud full of an almost in
descrlbable ease and dignity, rarely
seen in the Yankee pedar. And, ev-
en- when the pedlar himself questioned
her why she was there thus solitary,
when all was light and merriment
within, she answered tlmldly that she
| loved to come out in the evening and
atch the bright stars. Then he laid
hi, hand gently upon her young head,
called her a little dreamer, aud asked
whether she loved flowers also and
the girl answered eagerly
u Dearly .lr, dearly