Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-02-27
s 3 L ECT TALE.
Mrs. Washington Potts.
BY MISS LESLIE.

states Navy, Hdu just IttuIHcu HUN miCc
years cruise in the Mediterranean. His ship
came into New York and after he had spent
week with sister that was married in Bos
ton. he could not resist his inclination TO pay
since her widowhood at one of the small towns
on the banks of the Delaware.
The husband of Mrs. Marsden had not lived
long enough 10 make his fortune, and it was
his last injunction that she should retire with
her daughter to the country, or at least to
country town. He feared that if she remained
in Philadelphia, She would have too many
temptations to exercise her taste for unheces-
very moderate income, which was all he was
able to leave her, would soon be found nsuf1i-
cient to supply her with comforts.
We will not venture to say that duty TO his
aunt Marsden was the young lieutenant's only
incentive TO this visit, as she had beautiful
daughter about eighteen, for whom, since her
earliest childhood, Bromley Cheston had felt
something little more vivid than the usual
degree of regard that boys think sufficient for
their cousins. Ills family had formerly lived
in Philadelphia, and till he went into the navy,
Bromley and Albina were in habits of daily
intercourse. Afterwards, on returning from
sea he always as soon as he set foot on Amer
ican ground, began TO devise means of seeing
his pretty cousin, however short the time, and
however great the distance. And it was in
meditation on Albina's beauty and sprighti-
ness that he had often, while sailing on the
midnight deep beguiled the long hours of the
watch, and thus rendered more tolerable that
dreariest part of a seaman's duty.
On arriving at the village, Lieutenant
Chestou Immediately established his quarters
at the hotel, fearing that to become an inmate
of his aunts house might cause her some in
convenience. Though he had performed the
whole journey in a steamboat, he could not re-
fran from changing his waistcoat, brushing
his hat, brushing his hair, and altering the tie
of his cravat. Though he had never told his
love- it cannot be said that concealment had
'preyed on his damask cheek ! the only change
in that damask having been effected by the sun
and wind of the ocean.
Mrs. Marsden lived in a small, modest look
ing white house, with green door and green
venetian shutters. In early summer the porch
was canopied and perfumed with honey-snckle,
and the windows with roses. In front was 4
flower garden, redulent of sweetness and beau
ty; behind was well-stored potager, and a
flourishing little orchard The windows were
amply shaded by the light and graceful foliage
of some beautiful locust-trees.
what lovely spot = exclaimed Cheston-
and innocence-modesty = candor content
ment-peace- simple pleasures $ Intellectual
enjoyments-and various other delightful ideas
chased each other rapidly through his mind.
When he knocked at the door, it was opened
by black girl named Drusa, who had been
brought up in the family, and whose delight
on seeing him was SO great that she could
scarcely find it in her heart 10 tell him that
the ladies were both out, or at least partly out
Cheston, however, more than suspected that
they were wholly at home, for he saw his aunt
peeping over the banisters, and had a glimpse
of his cousin fitting into the back parlor; and
besides, the whole demicil was evidently in
some great commotion, strongly resembling
that horror of all men, house-cleaning. The
carpets had been removed, and the hall was
filled with the parlor chairs half O. them be-
ing turned bottom upwards on the others, with
looking-glasses and pictures leaning against
them and he knew, that on such occasions,
the ladies of a family in middle life are never
among the missing.
Go and give Lieutenant Ches,on's compli-
ments to your ladies' said he, and let them
know he is waiting TO see them
Mrs Marsdcn now ran down stairs in
wrapper and morning cap, and gave her neph
ew very cordial reception. Our house Just
now is in such confusion said she, that
have no place to invite you TO sit down in ex-
cept the back porch And there they accord
ingly took their seats.
Do not suppose continued Mrs. Marsden,
'that we are cleaning house; but we are going
to have party tonight, and therefore you are
most fortunate in your arrival, for think | can
promise you very pleasant evening. We
have sent invitations to all the most genteel
families within seven miles, and can assure
YOU there was great deal of trouble in get
ting the notes conveyed. We have also asked
number of strangers from the city, who hap
pened to be boarding in the village we called
on them for that purpose. Ifall that are invit-
ed were to come, we should have complete
squeeze; &; but unluckily we have received an
unusual number of regrets, and some have as
vet returned no answers. However, we are
sure of Mrs. Washington Potts. 4 Isee,' said
Cheston, you are having your parlors pre-
pared
Yes replied Mrs. Marsden, I'VE could not
possibly have party with that old-fashoned
paper on the walls, and we sent to the city
week ago for man to come and bring with
him some of the newest patterns but he never
made his appearance until last night, after
we had entirely given him up, and after we
had the rooms put in order in other respects.
But he says, as the parlors are very small, he
can easily put on the new paper before even
ing; so we thought it better to take up the
carpets, and take down the curtains, and undo
all that we had done yesterday, rather than the