Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-01-19

can government, TO become so very republican
in my feelings and associations. The dis
tinctions Of society should be observed, else
what would it becomcg
SO they should Lucy. and so they ever
will The distinction between vice and vir-
tue, ignorance and intelligence, cannot be 100
nicely drawn, though fear it would be to the
exclusion Of many who now swell the list Of
our would be aristocracy, while the admission
of orr worthy blacksmith and bis intelligent
family would more than compensate for a
score of them
How can you, Fred, persist in that which
you know is SO annoying to your family
The very idea Of having girl Ike Susan
Howard associated with it, is too bumblug to
be endured
i regret exceedingly that your prejudiccs
are so strong. Lucy. as have decided upon
asking Miss Howard to become your sister
SO you see cannot. with consistency, give
you the required promise.
If that is your decision, further argument
is useless; but you know my feelings to.
wards her. and the welcome she will be likely
to receive from me.
Have you seen the member from c.,
Fred ? asked Lucy Preston OF her brother
the day after his arrival in Washington, where
size had been spending u few weeks with her
father distinguished member Of Congress
from one Of our New England States
No Who is he and what is he like?'
Ills name is Howard, aud heard father
soy this morning. he was one Of the most tai
ented members If the House. lie is Ger.
tainly one Of the most perfect gentlemen
ever met
Howard Oh. l wonder il he has any
sisters
Yes. several One Of them was here Will
him during the early part Of the session. an(
judging from the quantity ard quality ofyrais,
layished upon her, she must lie |. paragon.
She will be here again soon, as she expected
to grace Mrs. i4's party Tomorrow
night
i must manage to get an introduction t.
her.
i think can effect this, as her brother ha
promised to favor me with one. am reall,
curious TO see one who cxcites such unqual
fed admiration
Mrs. LIS spacious drawing room.
were alreay filed with the elite Of the capital
when Lucy Preston entered, accompanied b,
the talented and accomplished Mr. Howard
Grave statesmen and politicians had lain
aside the care and dignity Of state end Office
to participate in those fashionable folles which
so invitingly promise to afford relaxation and
amusement; and wen were those promises
fulfilled, as the radient faces Of beauty and
majestic manhood proclaim as they here
surrender themselves to the cxhilerating sound
of music and keep time and pace with It's vo-
luptuous swellings or they join themselves to
that merry group, where wit ard humor is the
presiding genius. While perchance some,
moro intellectual IN their tastes find deeper
source of enjoyment in the discussion Of gra-
yer topics
Lucy eager eye took in at glance the
gay assembly, then wandered enquiringly
from one group to another, to distinguish, il
possible, the star which reigned pre- eminent
but all seemed to her alike gay and beautiful,
and she soon, in the fascinating eloquence Of
the gentleman on whoso arm she leaned, half
forgot her womauly curiosity, aud the prom
! ised introduction when the announcement of
Mr.. Preston and Miss Howard, excited both
Curiosity and astonishment The suppressed
murmur of admiration which greeted their en-
trance bad scarcely subsidized, when her aston
ishment was as suddenly changed to the deep
es. chagrin and modification for there, in
the sister Of the man she SO much admired,
and the acknowledged favorite of the most
refined circles of the Capital. she oehcld none
other than our blacksmith daughter
The following Christmas witnessed merry
party assembled beneath the roof Of our wor-
thy blacksmith, aud Lucy Pres,on--now Mrs
Howard, the bride of the blacksmith s SON. :
rejoiced in the beauty of those liberal insti-
tutions, which short year before she had
held In such contempt
The distinctions Of society should be OBJ
served. Lucy, else what will it become !?
whispered Fred Preston to his sister, on this
merry Christmas evening
oh. Fred win you never forgive my folly?
You have already punished me quite enough
Yes, sister dear; only wished to enquire
what reception the blacksmith's daughter
would receive from the wife of the 6istin-
! guished member of C?'