The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-04-06
THE BLACKsMITH's DAUGHTER
BY KATE GLENMoRE.

81 wish to exact promise from you.
Fred, on this anniversary ofmy birth day;
say, shall it be givenl' u4s isi
7"Most assuredly. Lucy, ifit be anything
consistent, unless. indeed. it shall be that
| relinquish my CIGARS a..sB aj,-# i {
"No, Fred, that was not what / was
aiming at. so rest easy. will not tease
you on that point to-day; but it is one OF
infinitely more Importance. So. say yes
''Tell me first. what am TO promise. 1t
is too much like taking a. leap into the
dark, to say yes to an underlined position.
My sister knows would not willingly re-
fuse her any request to-day azra. ..-,a
"Well, then. ii is simply this. that you
pay Susan Howard no further attentions.'
How so, Lucy? what has Susan How
ard done to offend you. or what can you
bring against her that will justify you in
making such requestl"
81 should not suppose you would ask
that; is not her parentage enougiH
81 cannot see why. She is the daugh
ter Of an honest, respectable Blacksmith,
who has always supported his family hon.
orably, and gwen his daughters an edu-
the best society in our land" 1s7ze adl
.How absurdly, you talk. Fred. where
can you have picked up such sentiments?
| think society would be vastly obliged Ia
you were you to introduce q blacksmiih's
daughter to grace its circles" b ssaae
"Well it might be, Lucy. for. notwith-
standing your .preiudices, let me assure
you there is not a girl among the circle Of
your acquaintance. who, Tor the sterling
qualities of mind and heart, will compare
with Susan Howard" sic .eResaag inst'
II know nothing of her sterling gusli-
ties. She doubtless does well enough for
the station in which she moves. and which
she is,assigned 10 fill, as the vile of some
sturdy mechanic; sbui you as we'll as she
would 6nd she was quite out OF her sphere
inamore refined society," a. 8t8us 4;
81 am sorry, Lucy, to hear you express
such sentiments. What have we, the chill
dren Of a republican government to do
with such nice distinclionsl, Worlhis the
criterion by which NE -asss 70 Judge. not the
accident Of fortune or family. This is one
of the chief beauties Of our republican in
stitutions. that it grants to every man and
woman the power to become the architect
of their own fortune. To be something
or nothing" 736U zitew .a.ii oi Ffaa
a"Allsthat sounds very we'll for you poll.
ticians. and will doubtless have very
good efectin electioneering purposes; but i
have no ambition, because live in re-
publican government, TO become so very
republican in my feelings and associations.
The distinctions of society should be OBJ
served, else, what would it become?'' 8
$50 they should, Lucy, and so they ev-
er will. The distinction between vice and
virtue. ignorance and intelligence, cannot
be too nicely drawn, though fear it would
be to the exclusion of many who now swell
the list Of our would ld.be-aristocracy. while
the admission of our worthy blacksmith
and his intelligent family would more than
compensate for score of them. ned aQaH
..How can you. Fred, persist in thai
which you knowis annoying 10 your fami-
lyl The very idea Of having girl lik.
Susan Howard associated with it., is too
humbling to be endured!" d3
81 regret exceedingly that your prejudi-
ces are so strong. Lucy. as have decid-
ed upon asking Miss Howard to become
| your sister; so you see cannot. with con-
sistency. give the required promise. +"
..If this is your decision, further argu-
ment is useless; but you know my feelings
towards her. and the welcome she will be
likely 10 receive from me-"
"Have you seen the member from c.
Fred?' said Lucy Preston to her brother
the day alter his arrival in Washington,
where she had been spending few weeks
with her father, a distinguished member
of Congress from one Of the New England
Estates.
i "No. Who is he, and what is he like?''
"His name is Howard; and | heard faith
er say this morning. he was one Of the
most talented men OF the House. He is
certainly one Of the most perfect gentle
linen [ ever met" "e1ssa ati
..Howard? Oh! wonder il he has any
sisters?" is9tiasH6' AE'
as"Yes, several. One Of them was here
with him during the early part OF the ses.
sion. and Judging from the quantity and
quality, Of praise lavished upon her. she
must be paragon. She will be here again
soon, as she is expected to grace Mrs. 49,
party tomorrow night" M
81 must manage to get an introduction
to her." r
/ 81 think can effect that, as her broth.
er has promised to favor me with one.
am really curious to see one who excites
such unqualified admiration"
! Mrs. -----'s spacious drawing rooms
were already filed with the elite otthe cap
itol. when Lucy Preston entered, accom-.
panied by the talented and accomplished
Howard.
Grave statesmen and politicians had laid
aside the care and dignity Of Office, TO par
ticipate in those fashionable follies which
so invitingly promise TO afford relaxation
and amusement; and well were those prom
|ises fulfilled. as the radiant faces Of beau
'lty, and majestic manhood proclaim; as
they here surrender themselves to the ex
hlerating sounds Of music. and keep time
and pace with its voluptuous swellings. OF
they join themselves in that merry group
where wit and humor are the presiding
geniuses. While, perchance, some. more
J intellectual in their tastes. find a deeper
source Of enjoyment in the discussion Q
grayer topics.s .s4ssas..,l l os
r. . u - IL Nn<