Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-10-06
MAJOR MILDEW.
An Adventure with a Lionne.
BY PAUL cREYToN.

Major Mildew vas jolly bachelor Of
-, but we need not be particular a5ou,
his age; suffice it to say that he look
young, with his hat cooked jauntly on one
side ofhis head, his beautifully brown locks
freshly barbered, his upper lip cleanly
shaved, and his glossy whlskers gracefully
and tastefully bombed.
Yes-the major looked young, with his
splendid frock coat buttoned across his
manly chest, and his slender cane dang.
ling curelessly in the fingers of his gloved
righ. hand; he looked young, too, in the
midst Of youth and beauty, in the fashion,
able drawing room Of Mrs. l., whose
favorte he was; for nobody was ever more
polite, cheerful, and devoted to the ladies,
than our friend, the major.
All! but The major had not always the
same youthful appearance. You should
see him at nine in the morning! There is
the same rich glow on his face-for that
glow has become permanent, thanks to the
majors jolly mode Of life, his ex:raordina-
ry good spirits! But the major does no,
look young us he stands before the lookin
glass coloring the roots of his whiskers,
which, strange 10 say, acquire .silvery
tipge in their daily and nightly growth; or,
as he scours and ndj,sts The beautiful white
teeth, set in gold, for which he is indebted
10 dentist! He does not look so youth
ful, with his wig hanging there on the
bed-pos,, as when he adorns his smooth
polished crown, But enough of this. The
major looks well enough before the world,
and whose business is it to enquire how he
looks behind his bed curtains?
The mnjor is grea, lover of adventur.
ers, intrigues, and everything of. the sort,
and numerous are the stories he tells, of
which he himself is the hero, and some ten-
der beauty the heroine. These, we will
not repeat; but there is one good story
whicn he never relates; We will take the
liberty Of relating it for him.
One fine morning found the major, youth
full in appearance as ever, lounglng about
the pleasure grounds of the hotel in---Mos-
coao, we will call the village, TO avoid per-
sonaliiies-when he had the good fortune
10 meet an old acquaintance.
"Ha, major!" cried Frank j., show
are you? What brings you to Moscowa"
"Adyenture, adventureE' replied Major
Mildew, with signifcan, wink.
"rhen you have Of course seen Mrs..
Fitzal,on, the Fiopne?"
"Dang It, no! ] haven't seen any body
except Senator BIS beautiful lady,
who has given me such decided encourage
ment-at first sight, too!-thai her hus-
band is horribly jealous. But who is Mrs.
Fitzalton? You see, | arrived only yes
terday, and haven't seen much Of Mos
COW as yet."
sand you haven't Of Mrs. Fitzalton?n
"No."
"Why she is the greatest attraction in
Moscow! She is widow-sprightly, gay,
very tall, and beautiful, although q little
masculine, and the most original woman in
the world. She rides like an amazon,
drives like jehu, and"
"And whata" cried the major, very deep
ly intesested.
eAnd dresses in mems clothesn
"No?"
s'It's factl Every time she goes for a
walk she appears in trowsers, frock coat,
shirt collar, hat and boots.''
The majors Imagination was excited
He made few more hasty inquiries of
his friend, then took his way across q
neighboring field towards brook, on the
banks of which, Mrs. Fitzalton bad been
seen walking only few minutes before.
"I'll get sight at her, at any rate!"
said the major, "and iftime, place, and cir
cumstances favor he added, with a know
ing, confident smile-s.why, you may hear
from me again. That's oil.
The ardent and adventurous major met
with that success in his search which only
the brave deserve. The lionne was cross
ing rude bridge thrown across the stream.
Major Mildew knew her by her smooth
face, slight but elegant form, and her very
plump, straight and neutrality-suspicious.!
She wore her hat with manly air, and
carried her cane with noncbalence and
grace which excited the majors admiration.
His heart beat with warm and thrilling
emotions; but concealing his feelings be-
meath his usually cool and polished exteri>
or, he approached the beautiful pantaloons.
''Beg pardon, SIR" said he, touching his
hat, and smiling as nobody but the major
could smile-"bem! can you-ah-tel me
-ah-where this beautiful waterfall is,
which Moscow boasts Of so much2''
The lionne bowed gracefully, and smil.