True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-01-04
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From Gleason's Pictorial
COUNTRY VISITORS:
Or the Fourth Of July Grafton.
BY AGNES LESLIE.

Il never will go into the country visit
ing again, mamma, see if | dots fifty
times cheaper in the long run to board ?
broke forth that elegant little city belle,
Blanche Dunnoran, as she burst into her
mothers dressing room the day before the
glorious fourth.
What now, Blanche"
yes, what now, Miss Spit6re? inter
posed her blunt, good natured father, cut
ting his aristocratic wife's lady-like remark
short whats started that mettlesome
temper of yours up this pleasant morning?
Why, YOU are as explosive as gun-cotton,
Blanche; say, what is it?
The young lady was considerably dashed
to find her father present, for she knew
that her complaints were something that
would meet with nothing but his sharpest
scom and sevcrest ridiculc; but she was
an only daughter and his great pet, not
withstanding, so she determined to brave
it, and daringly launched forth:
why, | have just received a note from
those Ashleys we visited last summer, say
ing they shall be with us on the fourth, as
they understand there's to be something
quite uncommon by way of an oration.-
Now, of all things, to have those gawky
country things coming here to spoil allmy
pleasurc-'tis too bad | shall be morti-
fed to death, / know / shall " and tears
of vcXation rolled down the excited little
speakers rosy cheeks.
We'll, dear, you're not obliged to 90 out
with thcm-you don't care for the Grafton.
| think It's quite improper and vulgar for
young ladies to 60 out on such days. said
the indolcnt, fine lady mother, soothingly
Don't you know, mamma said Blanche
very impatiently, that that young marvel
from abroad, Ralph St. Clair, is to deliver
the Grafton, and that all the elite in the
city are going? Vulgar. | guess 'twould
be worse to stay away. But how can |
take those horrid country things with me"
what republican you are, Blanche,
said her father, sillrastically. 'Onc would
think you were going to hear Fourth of
July Grafton. rather imagine if Mr.. st.
Clair could hear such delightfully."- demo-
cratic sentiments from one of his fair coun-
trywomen's lips, he would have Il grand
theme for his eloquencc.'
We'll, you may laugh, papa, but you
don't know anything about it, You've no
idea what a modification it is to have peo-
pie with you who attract by their singu-
larity.'
well now, is it? I had always suppos-
ed to the contrary. thought when that
Young Russian count was here that singu-
larity was very enviable thing-but |
suppose was mistaken. am behind the
times, and don't understand young Amer
lea at ALL
you're making game of me can see,
as usual, papa; that's always the way you
close up an argument. But you know
what mean.
yes, I know that the Misses Ashley are
nice, pleasing girls out in the country, amid
the hay and the clover, but when they come
to the city with their last years bonncts
and dresses that refuse to sweep the streets,
and pretend to mingle with Parisian hats
and French mantillas it's no go. Young
America cant stand it. It's decidedly
parvenu?
Really, Mr.. DunnOran,' began his wife
drawlingly-
That's the most sensible thing I've said
hey?' finished her husband.
1T most certainly is
so ! think
The lady looked at the quizzical face gaz
ing down upon her with great uncertainty
as to the truth of this remark-but Blanche
bright, knowing little Blanche, was he
fathers own child in quicknoss of perccp
tion, and spite of her yexation she had t.
laugh.
Il cannot help laughing, papa, and
never can; you're so queer, but that don
mend the matter.
Nor frotting either, little Blanche;