The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-09
SUNSHINE AT PLEASURE HAUNTS.
Literary Correspondence of the Era.

| Literary correspondence OF the Era.
| SARATOGA, July 20, 1855.
We are at Congress Hall, the new-hedged
| Phoenix, the Queen of all Hotels We are
walked each morning by the choicest band
sending forth airs whose long drawn sweetness
laps the soul in sweet Elysium. We wander
forth in the cool morning, through shades and
greensward, to the sparkling fountains of health,
where social greetings and tempting walks be-
guile the hour. We return to magnificent por-
ticos and parlors, that stretch in long perspec-
tive, filled with parties of guests, promenading,
| or sitting in lively discourse.
We resort to the most spacious and elegant
dining-hall, where four hundred guests are
served, while one hundred sable lacqueys stand
behind ministering the rich viands. All the
Injuries of the season are ranged on neat and
well-appointed tables, while the whole process
proceeds with an order, decorum, and ease,
that honor alike the host and his guests.
We return, to be again RECALLED with choicest
music, while, as an example to be both lauded
and initiated, the smokers retire to their ap-
pointed boundary, leaving the uncontaminate
air to bring only Natures welcome and health
full perfume. And then, when splendid chan
deliers are lighted, and the gorgeous carpets
show their groups of brilliant flowers in still
richer beauty, the living flowers begin to gather
for the dance, while "music wakes the soul to
mirthful measures"
! And yet all proceeds with such decorum, all
is so marked with good taste and moderation,
| al 20 r.
dress and display, and in unreasonable hours,
that all are continually exclaiming, What a
pleasant, home-like place How little fashion
able folly! How much quiet, rational enjoy
ment Was there ever such pleasant, COM
Portable, attractive place as this 2"
| But this ddncing-what shall we, descend
ants of the Puritans-we, children of Levi
what shall we say of it? 1t surely demands a
sermon, and one shall be furnished For a
text, l will select from an early chapter in my
own history, when merry young girl came
dancing up to her minister, whom she has dis
covered had a very warm place in his heart for
the young and frolicsome:
"Now, DIR. B., you don't think it is wicked to
dance, do your"
"No," says the good man, with a quiet
twinkle in his eye, 81 do not think it wicked to
dance, if the right sort Of people do it,"
"Well, then, whom do you call the right sort
Of people to dancer"
"Oh my child, it is tie ministers, and the
elders, and the deacons and their 'oires."
The little miss scampered off to tell the joke,
for joke it was of course.
Now this is my text, and am going to pro-
coed to firstly, secondly, and thirdly all in due
R,,4,r / ofo ,r,k-N
rare bit of romance that has turned up, for the
special entertainment of our pleasure-seeking,
news-gathering coteries. My dancing discourse
will appear in my next
Our story commences first with hero-a
gentleman of immense wealth, whose early his
tory is one of the darkest episodes of human
life.
An only son, the heir Of vast wealth, he pass
ed through youth and through his college course,
as the child of wealth usually does, INDUCED,
and fattered, and caressed.
But his mother dies-another comes In her
place-a young brother is born, and the ambi-
tious mother is determined her child shall be
the heir. The elder son is driven from home,
all manner of means are employed to ALLEVIATE,
all means of support are withheld, and the re-
suit on a sensitive and highly strong mind were,
first depression, next stimulation, and, finally,
utter wrecking of health, hope, and happiness.
But, in the depths of despair, religion came,
and her pure hand administered balm to the
wounded spirit, and raised and cheered to re-
newed life and effort
After years of poverty and outcast life, he
learns first, that his brother is taken from life ;
next, that his mother-in-law is gone and, final
ly, his father dies intestate, leaving him the
indisputed possessor of a magnificent fortune.
| Aware of his inexperience in the manage
| poptO f nd ohrip GrOy oil tho
actions it involves, he asks the courts to ap-
point legal trustee who shall have power to
manage in his place. The request is granted,
and man of known probity and financial skill
takes the management of the estates. At the
same time, man Of less reliable character
becomes his man of business and travelling
companion.
In this state of his fortunes, he is thrown into
the society of a lady of splendid person and
manners Her family is one of the first in the
State, her position and connections every way
respectable, while her department through sew
eral years of widowhood had been most exem-
plary. The hand and fortune are offered and
declined. But months of devotion secure
more favorable regard, and soon the man of
business and the heirs learn, to their dismay,
that the power and wealth are passing from
their control and reversion.
Immediately, plans are concocted to deceive.
Letters are intercepted. Deceptive intorma-
ton leaves to other places, and soon all traces
of him are lost. The lady is alarmed, and COM
| municates the case to his and her friends. Pri-
vate remonstrances are vain, and then the case
is brought before the public. Such measures
are taken as finally oblige the parties implica-
ted to produce their victim, who appears in
| such mysterious state as justifes the most Sc
rious apprehensions.
But no prominent injury results. The lady
is coniured to place the matter in such posi-
ton as will end all future temptation to crime.
One of the first citizens here, firm friend
of both parties, invites them to his house for
the marriage ceremony. In few hours after,
will is drawn, settling his property on his wife
after his decease; and the happy pair are now
on their bridal tour.
Now, here is fine opportunity for testing
the amount of that charity which hopeth all
things, and thinketh no evil" as each man and
woman make their comments on this affair.
For those who wish to see the worst side,
there are plenty of materials for ridicule and
dark depreciation.
But those who love to see all that is good,
and bright, and fair, in motive and character,
look at the matter as it is drawn by
SUNSHINE.
A FAMILY GATHERING. = The members OF
the Cushman family descendants from Robert
Cushman, the Puritan, viii have family gath |
erino on the 18th of August, at Plymouth, |