The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-04
For the National Era.
FASHIONABLE FOOTPRINTS.
BY MRS. BELL SMITH.
Part I.

The perfected steamer Bay State lay trembling
with life at New York, ready to slip cable and
start for Boston. All appeared confusion and
uproar to a stranger, to the commanding Of
fcer of the boat-who, by the slightest wave of
his hand, could control the great mass of busy
life, and the wonderful machinery which rested
as it were in uneasy sleep below-there was
nothing but the exactest order. Travellers in
linen overcoats and caps were shouting franti-
cally, porters and hackmen were hurrying in
luggage, while ladies in grass and gray silks
were grouped here and there, restless and noisy
as canaries
We have business with only our small group.
A beautiful girl, with large blue eyes, exquisite
complexion, wavy dark hair, and graceful figure,
rather under the medium size, was framed in
by an old maid, thin and nervous-a beautiful
woman, looking like Juno, III travelling dress
and tall, finelooking old gentleman, who
seemed to have the party under his especial
care, and was addressed as uncle by the young
lady-as my dear General, by Mrs guno-while
the old maid, with intense respect in every tone,
styled him Governor. Looking at two of these,
the observant spectator would say, Southern
at one other, add EASTERN while the last had
New York impressed all over him. Our Sec
| tonal peculiarities can only be partially relied
on, for, partially, the observant spectator would
be correct.
Miss Juliet Deming, an heiress to untold
wealth, and, as have said, a beautiful girl, was
of the West, fresh from school, and en- route for
her first campaign at fashionable summer re.
sort. Her companions above enumerated were
of her staff. General Abner Denton, q man full
of years and honors, an old bachelor, had left
his delightful country residence, where he hoped
to pass the remainder of his well-fled life, for
| the express purpose of watching and protecting
his niece, our heroine. Mrs. Colburn, her aunt,
appeared as the more immediate chaperon and
confidential adviser-a lady of fashion, and tho
rough bred woman of the world and no better
for such purpose could have been selected. Miss
Lavinia Rattle, the old maid, vas goyerness,
and still continued in her position, now almost
| a sinecure, for her admirable system of incul-
| eating music, morals, and manners, was left at
home with the well worn books, for Mrs. Coburn
looked with some contempt upon the triangular
style adopted by the governess.
Thus surrounded and guarded at all points,
the motherless girl, the future owner Of untold
outlets, in-lots, stocks, and ready money-the
immediate possessor of indescribable charms
and graces-made ner Grst march into the world
of fashion. 1t would be wonderful youth, anu
bold, too, who suited ALL or suiting Of these
guards, succeeded in carrying off this invalua-
BILE prize. Juliet Deming was making her first
appearance on tue stage OF fashionable exist
ence, yet the move was anxiously looked for
and commented upon as is that of Daniel Web
ster's in political circles, or would Lord Brough-
ANS visit to America by the literary world
There is no power more Immediately within the
grasp, or more delicious, than that of beauty,
properly sustained by wealth and position. No
wonder Madame Stael would have given the
large heart and clear head for fairy form and
beautiful face. Genius has no triumphs-the
pen,sceptre no power sueh as ] have seen &C.
companying a beautiful girl, as she swept down
ballroom, heavy with the air of incense admit
ration. But am wandering from my story.
The boat would soon be under way. The
uncle General and Governor was in sad state
of perturpstion. He ran hither and thither as
rapidly as being an uncle General and Governor
would permit Just as the steamer was about
starting, an earnest appeal was made to him
by Miss Rattle to look after her bonnet box.
He started for that purpose to the part ofthe boat
where the baggage was, and, arriving there,
looked at the huge pile belonging to his party
in utter dismay. In fact, he gave utterance to
an exclamation that will not do for me to write
but it soun3ed very much like the name com.
monty given to the place for future punishment.
The Governors recollection of q bonnet.box
dated some fifty years back, when that article
consisted Of q very absurd arrangement Of paste
board and Hashy paper. Looking over the bag
gage, he saw nothing of the sort, and, returning
to his party with very sad expression of face,
so reported. Miss Rattle gave utterance to some
dismal signs and EXPLANATIONS, and again
begged their protector to look once more for
| her treasure,
The Governor returned, and was about giving
up the search in despair, when he saw an old
| lady under bonnet like an inverted coal-scut-
tie, leaving the boat, with handbook tied in a
red handkerchief 1t answered the Governor
idea of the missing article. There was no time
to be lost-so, rushing desperately after the ami
mated piece of antiquity, be seize her band boz
claiming it as his. The old lady, much alarmed,
resented Indignantly by jerking, and contest
began, exceedingly ridiculous, when one remem-
beers that an uncle. General and Governor wss ona
of the combatants. The Old lady, who had fire.
gently heard of the perils attending travellers,
fought desperately for her baggage. The Gov
ernor, determined to do his duty, exerted his
| utmost efforts to bring both box and claimant
| into the presence of the party. The result was
the boat pushed off, carrying the old lady, still
franticslly clinging to her beloved and now
much-sbused box. The old lady, who was very
loud in the defence of her property, became
| perfectly insane when she found herself kid
happed and on her way to Boston The officers
of the boat, seeing tie disturbance, and being
well acquainted with Governor D., helped t
| shove her into the cabin. Their entrance wa.