Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-09-03
Gboite SMlistelln}g,
From Harper's Magazine, for August.
MY BROTHER TOM.

de was a splendid telloW-mV brother
Tom. Two-and-twenty upon his last BIRTH
day, stood FIVE feet eleven inches in his
-sossors, rim P1ren5 feathers, and weighed a
hundred and sixty pOunds-not the patent
feathers. but Tom himself-in full costume.
I had never worn patent feathers, though
something over twenty. | could never as
pire to any thing which he graced so well.
He was ny ideal Of a fine fellow. | had
read of heroes in romances, elegant and
brilliant Adonii-thst's better plural than
Adonises in novels; and heard marvels of
the handsome, fascinating, irresistible gal
lants of New York society. Yes; the fame
of Fifth avenue Nd its exquisites had been
murmured amidst 1ulating emotions of
wonder, doubt, admiration and hesitation
the latter tingel by Jealousy, perhaps. in
our quiet country town Of, in -
County. State pride relieved us. The city
of New York was in the State of New
York, and we could yield at least a tacit
consent to some excelences there-though
we were, of course, aware that it confessed
notorieties of questionable repute, and
others by no means equlvocal, which we
heartily eschewed. But whatever its excel
lences might be. | was quite sure it could
not boast a more superb specimen OF le june
honn,e than my brother Tom. | would have
bet-had | been a betting man, as Tom was
sometimes-upon our house. for specimen
of that genus, against all Fifth Avenue -
Shall expaiiate upon form and featured
Shall dilate upon his large dark eyes! Talk
to him of fine girl, and they would dilate
of themselves. May hint the rare promise
of his luxriant beard, and the curving out
line of his ambitious mustache? | will not
trust myself, ior you have lady readers, Mr..
Publisher, and would not wantonly trife
with their feelings. One of our rural bellies
at party at our house, at about the time
speak of, Only remarked to my sister what a
handsome fellow Tom was; and in two days
afterward exhibited high fever and delirium!
She affected to have taken cold on her way
home; and while she was in the deliriuu
the doctor forbade all access to her. But
have no doubt she raved of Tom; for they
married her off within month after she goi
well to young fellow who professed to have
been in love with her for two or three years
and to whom it was said she was devoted
But understand such maneuvres. One
thing may say in her favor--sbe has made
an excellent wife, SO fari fact from which
infer that she is gradually becoming re
signed to the loss of Tom. hinted all thii
to Tom himself; but he assured me that hi
had never thought of it'-'shouidn't wonder
shough.' | should think not indeed!
When Tom was eighteen he had visitet
New'York-spent month there. OF cours'
he was not then all to be compared to wha
ne was at twenty-five. But even then
admired him Nor alone. Upon his re
turn he confded to me the most momentou
affair in his life-the fact that young lad
had fallen frightfully in love with him.
sFrightfully' was the very word he used,
believe. He always contemplated return
ing to New York out of compassion to tha
Young lady, if it were only to let her Sc
him once again before she died. He though
it was likely she would fall into consump
tion during that year, and die in the mex
spring. | fully believed it. He was neve
sent for, however, and we concluded ths
she had quietly persisted, and never tod he
love- | always suspected that Tom was
little overcome by that girl himself; fc
during that supposititious fatal spring, Tor
was affected withHspring fever and though
from sympathy with the case in New Yori
He got well, however; and, as said befor
had survived his twenty second birthday.
Father came in one evening, and brougi
his newspapers end letter from New fol
nothing unusual, as his brother and 9TH
relations of ours were in business there
On reading the letter he looked up al
smiled.
Here will be fine chence for your ga
lantry, boys; a couple CT New York bell'
are coming down 20 practice upon you.'