True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-11-07
gelett Gale.
From Peterson's Magazine.l
MEETA CARR.
A LEAF FROM A BACHELORS NOTEBOOK
BY MISS ALICE GRAY.

I NEVER saw two people that seemed
so made for each other,' as did Meeta
Carr and my friend Job Talfourd. One
rarely thinks of such thing in reference
to persons that have never been brought
together, but The first time saw Miss
Carr, as her head appeared above the
ships side she was climbing, | felt that
Jobs Venus had risen from The depths
of the sea. | wished that he was there.
1t was a galaday. The vessel was to be
chrislened, and notwithstanding his name,
Job was wel-ftled to play his part in
such scene. l suppose his godlalhers
and godmothers had to answer for the
rounds of imprecations he bestowed up
on his cognomen. He always wrote
himself ]. Talfourd, and considered it
personal insult for any one to ask what
the initial represented.
1t is a wonder that did not fall in love
with Meeta Carr myself that day, for i
never saw any being so beautiful as she
broke the bottles of wine but | had
previous engagement ! became an init
mate friend OF hefs, however, a frequent
,gur:, at her uncle's splendid house in
1Fourtrenh street; sat by her at dinner
parties. feeling all the charm her grace
and ,aci lent to her deep toned thoughts
and feelings, and danced German qua
,dr,Iles with her at midAieht. The,men,
without exception, worshipped and fiat
Niered her, and she seemed, by sort Of
chemical analysis, to separate whatever
there was of truth or sincerity in their
;complimeDls-that only, she received /;
all felt that the rest hoated down the
stream. She had none of those little
nets and lines by which many women
gain admiration. 1t took well-this gay
indifference. The Conservatives were
iransacked for choice bouquets for her ;
and her door was besieged with anony-
nous presents, which were straightway
;locked up in dark closet.
1t was almost as exciting as champagne
to study daily such deep heart ant
mind. And the sparkles we're not want
ling. Some were flashed from Meeta':
pride, which would admit very few into
Sthe penetraia of the smctuary-the ex
ception in my favor a great complmen
therefore. Another was that she nere
Slooked upon me or behaved toward INT
AS il there was any probability of m.
ever becoming her lover.
But in talking 10 Miss Carr, one nov
and then seemed, if may so express it
to come to the bottom of affairs unex
.pectedly. You could notsay twas to-
-soon, but it was when you had though
"a fresh founl Of feeling just opening.
discovered the reason of this by th
>meres, accident. Mee,a Carr he'd no ide
.of religion, hardly of God. | do no
%mean that she was an Atheist, nei'he
ihad she the easy creed of the world. Blu
ithe sentiment, the feeling, even in il
tmost general form, was not in her. Sh
told me, with wonder at my wonder, thi
the idea of Disposer Of all things ha
ITnever once entered her mind till sugges
led by some one else. She could talk an
think Of future life, but the thought {
a God ruling over the present, with who'
she had any connection, could find n
sfoothold in her mind. i tried 10 rouse
ffeeiiug that l thought must only sIumbe
hut in vain. She would look at me calm
ly and smile. One dayI concluded a
2eloquent burst. DO you understand IN
fMeeta!' / asked
mo- SHE quietly replied.
l desisted after this, but wondered III
such lack was not more visible, and tn
III did not extend itself farther.
When our party was madeu for Ne,
port in the summer, wrote to Job Tia
fourd to meet us there. In common wi
every one else, he was dazzled with Mi
Carr, and at once devoted himself to he
The drives and polkas he begged for we
granted far more freely than TO older a
rquaintances, his flowers were worn'
instructions at the bowling-alley acceE
ed, &c.