Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-04-30
CHOICE LlTERATURE.
HOW COURTED LULU
In Seven Tableaux.
1 VEAT BELLEAIR

WHEN | went to see aunt Wimple-not
Lulu-at Belleair, in the good year eighteen
hundred and blank, was nineteen, had my
pockets full of money, and was called Tom.
[ am Thomas -, Esquire, now; bat,
looking back through the mists Of many
years, aud making due allowance for the
partiality of the judge, | think the fine
young fellow was then, far more envia-
bic parsonage than my eminently respecta-
BILE self, now. Butl am not much changed
my mustache contains but two or three
white hairs, as yet-and those who know
me, say Tm gay young fellow still, in
which opinion [ agree With them.
Lulu, aunt Winple's only daughter, had
stayed in town with US, the winter before,
and | had met the fate of nearly every one
who had the temerity to encounter the
bright light Of her dazzling eyes. was
not long in pleading for Lave of absence
from old Borem & Company-in whose
commission house | li,ed-and in follow
ing this permission up by graciously ac-
ccpting NY invitation to Belleair. arri-
we'd at the old hall, one evening, when all
the birds Of August were singing; and
when the beautiful streams, at the foot of
the hill was dapcing in the red sunset,
4 wntctr tS threw 6sSt. g. :.~i>--.~a e,-,e
magufcently. I was warmly welcomed,
Of course, by kind old aunt Wimpe, and
more enthusiastically still by Jack, Lulu's
brother, and, consequently, my most init
mate friend. As fer Lrlu, she came for
ward, rather demurely, and quietly eztcn-
ded her hand, struggling to suppress her
laughter-of which commodity this fasci-
mating young lady always seemed to have
an unlimited supply.
"By your leave, mistress!' lobserved;
and, before the dannse could defend her
+ self, I had impressed upon two Of the red
dest lips in the world "salute" e"-as said
our honest ancestors-far warmer than our
relationship made necessary. You see,
was nineteen then, and tie heart of nine
: teen beats warmly IN the bosom.
Jack laughed heartily aunt Wimple's $
!. countenance relaxed and even Lulu, NUT
i tering Impudence !" burst into laughter ;
\ and SO we entered the old antler-decorated
4 hall, and the great sitting room, where all
the portraits of my venerable forefathers,
r in pearls and powder, ruffled breasts and
q laces, seemed to extend to me a serene and
is courteously smiling welcome.
There were Two visitors at Belleair, who
d soon made their appearance-Rose Walton
,e demure little, quiet friend of Lulu, also
> hopeless fame of Jack :; and Mr.. Fitzarthur
St "from town" Did you know Fitzarthur
lc in those days? To make a negative reply
,e will argue that you yourself were wholly
ar unknown. How shall describe the seren
effulgence of the noble knight-what do
say? the king, the emperor-of fashion
y He wore the tighest kid gloves, the small
est boots, the most elegant and recherch
u u coats and waisi coats and his watch-chaln
u with its bundle of seals and g charms the
- : coming into fashion, was the admiration
OF every beholder. To know Fitzarthur was
III if not to love, at least to admire and vor
J, der at him. Fazarthur patronized everybod
!, ao in the most good -natured way-aunt Win
ne pie, Jack, Rose, the Honorable Josiah Mug
al :. gins, NJ c., who sometimes came to BE
us Ieair-even Lulu herself, whom he ha
an met at the Springs that year, and to who
as he was paying his addresses.
AS look DacK on you now, my ucdF II
rs rs zarthur, and recollect how you shone, ar
III how feared you would not recognize u
10 in the country, and how you went throug
OF life at Beleair and in town, with chaugele
me smiles and never-shaken selfesteem al
'cn admiration, | bow 10 you, as the prince
ng dandies, erect an imaginary tablet to reco
the YOUR graces, and declare that you we
ing more than mortal almost-almost the pa
w agon of fops.
AS have intimated, Fitzarthur accord
DO, me serene recognition, giving me,
OF that purpose, the end of his kid gloves; a
me, so. with Jacks arm round mel wished
as had been Lulu's-we were ushered into
Il the great supper-room, where thousand MT
te ry tests went round, and where was cate
rem perhaps, the merriest supper of the cen
US. ry. Afterwards, we had the pleasant
low lounge upon the portico, looking out up
loss the noble chase, with it's century oaks, a
tue the broad stream, glittering, through I
attn dipping foliage, with the last red fires
ms sunset; and, in good time, l threw mys
Inn, ioyousy into one of those old, honest, t
nan posted, league beds, which are scarcely e
1efe cen now, in our miserable generation j
nes' vas with me, of course, and We talked