True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-01-11
2. RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor.


himself, "and feast my eyes upon charms
I can never possess? Hard fate that !
should be so bound by the iron chains Of
low birth and poverty. Yet am I man,
and have a soul as noble as the best Of
them. We will see," he said, and cross
ing over to the gay scene, he entered the
hall. He cast off his overshoes, handed
his cloak and cap to a servant, and, unan'
nounced, mingled with the beauty and
fashion that thronged the rooms. Grad
ually making his way among the crowd, he
sought a group in whose centre stood g
bright and beautiful being, the queen in
loveliness of that brilliant assembly. The
"bloods" of the west end thronged about
her, seeking for an approving glance from
those dreamy blue eyes; half abstracted
she answered Or spoke upon the topics Of
conversation without apparent interest,"
Suddenly, she started, and blushing deep.
ly, dropped half courtesey in token Of
recognition to some one without the group.
Her eyes no longer languid, now sparkled
with animation, and as our naval friend
entered the group about her, she laid her
tiny gloved hand within his, saying,
"Welcome, Ferris, we feared your sail
ing orders had taken you to sea this bleak
weather"
owe should not have lifted anchor with
out first paying tribute to our queen" was
the gallant reply.
A litter ran through the circle of.exclu-
sives, at his appearance among them, but
when the lady approved there was no room
for complaint. ..t -. ............lt
course his familiarity" said one young
fellow to another, "what pretensions Can
he have here Z"
"And Miss H called him by his
given name too" said another, "rather ia
miliar that, wonder what the old man
would say to it?'
"What scene does that painting repre-
sent ?" enquired lady friend at this mo-
ment, of Anne H.
81 think it is an italian picture" repli-
ed the fair girl.
"Spanish, I should say" observed he
who first questioned the appearance Of
Ferris.
Evidently Spanish" said another ex-
quisite, "though regret to differ from
Miss H."
"You err" said Ferris, turning to the
two gentlemen, "the lady is right. 1t is
an italian scene as you will discover by a
closer examination of the costume of the
figures"
"Pray, do you establish yourself as an
umpire in this case," retorted one of those
who had pronounced the piece to be a
Spanish scene.
81 contend that you are wrong" said the
other, seeking some cause for difference,
and desiring to "show up" the unpretend-
ing Lieutenant.
"Pardon me ladies'" said Ferris taking
no notice of the insult from the speakers,
~ saw that painting in the studio of Isola
at Genoa, few years since, and know
from its author that it represents street
scene Of that italian city otherwise I
should not have spoken" n
"Ah! you have great advantage over us
all, in having travelled so extensively Mr..
Harvard" said Anne H desirous to
restore good feeling.
The gay scenes of the night wore on,
several times had Ferris Harvard COM
pletely put at fault the shallow-brained
fops about him, placing them in anything
but an enviable light, while the eloquent
eyes of the princely creature he loved,
told him that at least he was not indiffer-
ent to her.
Ferris Harvard was Lieutenant in the
Navy, and depended entirely upon his pay
as an officer to support widowed mother
and younger sister, to both of whom he.
was devotedly attached. His father,
self-made man, had once been successful
merchant, who sailed and freighted some
of the heaviest tonned vessels that left the
port of Boston, but misfortune and sick
ness overlook him, and he sunk into his
grave, leaving his only son to protect his
mother and sister from the wants and ills
of life. Ferris had enjoyed q liberal edu-
cation, and having entered the navy as
midshipman, had risen in the shortest pos
sible time to lieutenancy, by reason Of
his superior requirements and good con-
duct His profession had led him to all