The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-03-05

can government, TO become sovery republi-
can in my feelings and association. The
distinctions Of society should be observed,
else what would it become a.
So they should, Lucy, and so they ever
will. The distinctions between vice and yir,
tue, ignorance and intelligence, cannot be
too nicely drawn, though l fear it would be
to the exclusion of many who now swell the
list OF our would-be aristocracv, while the
admission Of our worthy blacksmith and his
intelligent family would moro than compen-
safe for score of them" E. ...... =.
i" How can you, Fred, persist in that which
you know is, so annoying to your family
The very idea of having girl like Susan
Howard associated with it, is too humbling
to be endured" ...n 8 ....
81 ~ regret exceedingly that your preiudi-
ces are SO strong, Lucy, as have decided
upon asking Miss Howard to become your
sister, so you see l cannot, with consistency,
give you the required promise"
elf that is your decision. further arpu-
n,ent is useless but you know my feelings
towards her, and the welcome she will be
likely to receive from me-"
Have you seer tie member from c..
Fred, asked Lucy Preston of her brother, the
day after his arrival in Washington, where
sho had been spending few weeks with
her father, distinguished member Of Con.
gross. from one Of the New England States"
No; who is he, and what is he likel I"
:" His name is Howard and l heard fa-
ther say this morning that he is one of the
most talented members Of the House. He
is certainly ono Of the most perfect gentle
men | ever met"
Howard, Oh! I wonder If he has any
.isters ?" ..:.f ., b..
H e Yes, several: One of them was here
with him during the early part of the scs
sion, and, Judging from the quantity and
quality Of praise iavished upon her. she mus,
be n paragon. She will be here again soon.
rs she is expected to grace Mrs. Is
party tomorrow night" .... ..
Il must manage to get an intro duclion
to her.
II think can effect this, as her brother
has promised TO favor me with one. | am
really curious to see one who excites such
unqualified admiration" ...
Mrs. Is spacious drawing.rooms
were already filed with the elite of The cap.
'tal when Lucy Preston entered, acconpa.
! MED by the talented and ACCOMPLISHED Mr.
| Howard. e... r. .-......
Grave statesmen and politicians had lain
aside the care and dignity OF Stale and Of
| flee to participate in those fashionable follies
which so invitiDgy promise to afford relax
alton and amusement; and well were those
promises fulfilled, rs the radiant faces Of
beauty and majestic manhood proclaimed :;
as they here surrender themselves to the cx
hilerating sound OF music, and keep time
and pace with its volupiuous swelnes, or
they join themselves to that merry group
where wit and humor is the presiding ge.
MUS. While, perchance, some more intel.
| iectual in their tastes, find deeper source
OF enjoyment in the discussion of graver
| topics. .... ." '.'
Lucy's eager eye took in at glance the
gay assembly, then wandered inquiringly
from one group to another, to distinguish, il
possible, the star which reigned pre- emi
nent; but all seemed to her gay and beau.
t'tul, and she soon. in the fascinating elo.
quence Of the gentleman on whose arm she
leaned, half forgot her womanly curiosity,
and the promised introduction when the
| announcement Of Mr.. Preston and Miss
Howard, excited both curiosity and aston
istment. The suppressed murmur Of ad.
miratIon which greeted their entrance had
scarce subsided when her astonishment was
suddenly, changed TO the deepest cbsgrin
and modification for there, in the sister Of
the man she so mucn admired, and tho &C
knowledged favorite of the most refined cir.
cles of the capital, she beheId none other
shan our blacksmth's daughter. ..
n
The following Christmas witnessed mer
ry party assembled beneath the roof of our
worthy blacksmith. a,-l Lucy Preston-now
Mrs. Howard, the bride of the blacksmhh's
son-rejoiced in the beauty Of those liberal
institutions, which short year before she
had held in such contempt. ... ..........
The distinctions in society should be oh.
served, Lucy, else what vii! it become 2"
whispered Fred Preston to his sister, on this
merry Christmas evening. 'sr.. ..
"Qh, Fred will you never forgive nv
follyf You have already punished me
quite enough" fn..aa', : ~
H." Yes, sister, dear only wished to in.
quirs what reception the blacksmith's dsueh.
ter would receive from tl,e wife Of the dis
tinguished member Of C----f ~ ...l. .
You are positively too bad. There, Su.
san is calling you, so, and try to be civil on
this, your wedding night, at least."