Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1852-05-26


1t will not let poor man 60 about his business.
[Old Song.
And are those folles going.
Aud is my proud heart growing
Too cold, or wise for woman's eyes
Again to set it glowing? Moore.l
The General put on his spectacles, and look.
ing steadfastly at Isabel for at least two min.
utcs. "Turn your head he said, at last
"there to the left" .
Isabel Montford, although an acknowledged
beauty, was as amiable as she was admired;
she had also a keen appreciation Of character;
and, though somswhat piqued, was amused
by the oddity of her aunts old lover. The
General was fine example of the well-preser-
we'd person and manners Of the past century;
beauty always recognizes beauty as distin.
guished relative; and Isabel turned her head
IN -an.,.r s. as attrae,ive as it could he.
The General smiled. and after gazing for
another minute with evident pleasure, he said
-'Do me the favor to keep that attitude, and
walk across the room."
Isabel did SO with much dignity; she GER
tainiy was exceedingly handsome; her step
i'S"tb cee hihi, hShiS, au'h'"''y Po'"S",
her head well and gracefully placed; her fea
lures, finely formed her eyes and smile bright
confiding She woald have been more captv
ating had her dress been less studied; her taste
was evidently Partisan rater than elastic. The
gentleman muttered something, in which the
words, "charming." and to be regretted only
met her ear; then he spoke distinctly:
1,l,
you challenged comparison between you and
you compeers, and the passing bells whom
have seen. Now, be SO kind as to walk out Of
the room, re-cnter, and courtesy"
Had Isable Montford been an uneducated
young lady she might have flounced out of the
salon in obedience to her dspleasure, which
was very decided; but, as it was, she drew her
self to her full height and swept through the
folding doors. "That is SO perfectly copy O
her poor aunt !' he murmered; "just SO would
she pass onward, like ruffled swan; she wen
after that exact fashion into the ante room
when she refused me, for the fourth time
thirty five years ago"
The Young Isabel re entered and courtesied
The gentleman seated himself leaned his clasp
ed hands upon the head of his beautiful inlai'
cane-which he carried rather for show tha
use-and said, young lady, you look di
vinity Your tourneure is perfection; but you
courtesy is frightful! A dip, bob, bend,
shuttle, a side, canter-neither dig,Iheo
, graceful, nor self. possessed! A courtesy is i
grace what an adagio is in music-only master
OF the art can execute either the one or the otf
er. Why, the beauty of the Duchess of d.
vonshire could not have saved her reputatio
as a graceful woman, if she had dared such
. courtesy as that"
&ssureyou, STR demonstrated the Offer
> ded Isabel, "that Madame Micheau-"
sWhat do care for the woman?" exclaime
e the General, Indignantly. "Have not men
= ory?"
n "Can you not teach me?' said Isabel ,anust
II and interested by his earnestness.
u ''I teach you =! No the courtesies whi'
e captivated thousands in my youth were mo
= an inspirat on than an art. The very que
of ballets in the present day cannot courtesy
s "Cou!d my aunt?" inquired Isabel, lit
e saucily.
1t "Your aunt, Miss Monford, was grace
'e self All , there are no such women now
r. days"
And, after the not very fattering obser'
" ton, the General moved to the piano. 1sabe
II brows contracted and her checks flushed; ho
,- ever she glanced at the looking glass, was co
,t forted, and smiled He raised the cover, p
ls ced the seat with the grave gallantry OF an {
r courter, and invited the lady to play. s
D. obeyed, to do her justice. with prompt poll
n. ness; she was not without hope that there,
least, the old gentleman would confess s
was triumphant. Her white hands, gemm
:, :" with Jewels, flew over the keys like wing
~ ~ seraphs; they bewildered the eye by tie rap
~ ity of their movements. The instrum
thundered, but the thunder was so continue
that there uas no echo. "The contrast will co
!, by -and-by," thought the disciple OF the
school-''there must be some shadow to thr
up the lights"
ed Thunder -crash-drur
all ratt'e-a confused, though eloquent, rum
h.cLu,rd n al forward of sounds the ri