Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-16
L III e I Il s T;
Or, Love i'm a Hoxshead,

Or, Love in n Hogshead.
They put everything on runners while the
snow lasts; for il does not tsrry long. Buggy
seats, carriage tops, crockery crates-all are in
question. And / even saw one of the finest
horses IN the city drawing hogshead on wooden
runners In which were seated a gentleman and
lady. They were fine looking couple, and
bore of the palm Of fast driving, as well as
the most ludicrOus sleigh conveyance. -Let-
ter from Chicago
Ha, reader, and thereby hangs q tale,
1t was New Years day in that far famed
city of the West-even the New Years. day OF
1851 Since Christmas winter had set in In good
Old fashioned earnestness. Snow had fallen to
the depth OF several inches and being firm and
hard, made excellent sleighing-a rare thing in
the city.
Indeed our winters seem sadly degenerated
OF late. being much more mild and free from
snow than in the days OF our fathers: perhaps
to accommodate them to our falling health and
strength for this latter fact is but too apparent
Yet this New Year day seemed more type
Of the old time. II was cold, yet not too cold,
and the sleighing was excellent. Everybody
that had n suitable conveyance, or could get
one, even at any price, was out enjoying the
rare sport; only the more keenly to be enjoyed
for its rarity II was indeed n gaia day; bright
and beautiful over head, brighter and more
beautiful still in the human hearts beating 80
joyOusly beneath
d,
busily engaged in attending to the reception of
o large quantity of goods, just arrived. He
wa young yet, but fast rising in wealth and
position. Born in the East, had brought with
him all the habits District attention to business
which there generated. While there was aught
OF that to claim his attention, pleasure must be
waived. Therefore, when he did give himself
up to its enjoyment. it was with double zeal.
Naturally warm-heaTtei and irnpuislve, and
social withal as such persons must he
keenly enjoyed society. And when he entered
IL, he was ever a welcome companion, both with
his own and the opposite sex, And now closing
hi. books with a look of satisfaction and relief,
he determined to give himself up to the pleas
ures of this annual gala day.
While business was pending ne had closed
his ears and eyes to all else, but now he could
not fail to hear the unusual stir in the streets,
and feel that while he had been engaged within
doors, all had been life and commotiOn without.
When he came forth the streets presented Il
most novel scene. A more motley, incongruous
lot Of vehicles it were not easy to imagine
such life and hilarity are always infectious, and
Ernest soon caught the spirit. He, too, would
join the sledgers; but how?
He inquired at several stables for a sleigh.
Not one 10 be had. Yet he was not easily
daunted, and, moreover. had an unusual share
of perseverance. He owned one of the finest
horses In the city; of that he was sure. He re-
membeTed, too, that in a remote part of the sta
bic, where he had usually kept him, he had
one day noticed a pair Of wooden runners He
would see if in some way conveyance could
not be planned. His Yankee ingenuity must
be brought to the service.
He soon reached the stable. The runners
were found, and in good order. But now for the
other part. A hOgshead that had for some rea-
son or other been sawed apart and nicely clean
ed, stood before him. Instantly part of it was
upon the runners. In few minutes a COM
Portable seat was added, and he was ready for
a drive.
But now arose another difficulty, unthOught
Of before. He must have a companiOn-a lady
Of course; else half the enjOyme Mt would be
lost. Bat who would it be? Who would be
seen, even with him, in such a conveyance rs
that Excuse his vanity, reader. He knew he
was a fsvorite Indeed, he could not help
knowing it. But this was o special occasion.
- All the world was out Who could he find
brave enough to dare i ? He must see.
There were two or three young ladies who
long claimed his special regard, and he felt
sure he was not entirely Indifferent to them
He had even been observing them Of late, stri-
wing 10 learn the true character of each. This
he found, as gentleman and ladies usually meet
In city life, adifficultmatte How he yearned
20 see through the false surroundings into the
true and inner life beneath He was rather old
fashioned in his notions, il must be confessed; but
he did care more for the real than for the arti-
6cisl-more for the mind and heart than for
outer adOrning. But how would it end? Would
he be wiser than his sex2 1t was indeed a
difficult question; but he did not quite despair
Ella Campbell had long been one Of the first
IN his esteem. But recently he had thought
her vain and superficial, caring more for the
outer than the inner man, and had been eau
tions in his attentions to her. He would test
her now
Driving briskly to the door and throwing the
reins over his horse, he quickly rang the bell
A servant at once ushered him into the parIor
where sat the lady of his thoughts. She greet
ed him warahy; but on hearing the object OF
his visit and the unique conveyance he brought,
she plead PfertOHS engagement, and at once
excused herself
Ernest Hammond was gifted with a good
share OF penetration; and when not previously
blinded, read character well. Now instinc-
lively feeling how it was, he politely withdrew
And while he rode gaiy away, Ella Cambell
sat pouting in her room, unthought of and un-
cared for by the moving mas without
Erncst's next visit was to the home Of Squire
Reed. Here he had long been a frequent and
welcome visitor, and was quite like one o.
fIInily" as the Squire often said. looking know
ingly at his two girls. Charlotte and Bella
Charlotte was the older and handsomer o
the two; and beauty is always attractive, cs
pecially with the men. She was the favorite
ed from her TO the gentle, graceful Bella, Will
her pure heart, piquant, and innocent ways
almost with feeling of love for the latter
Hers was indeed u character tostudy. TimiC
and retiring when in the presence Of stran
gers, she was yet singularity artless and conf
ding to those she best knew.
There was a dash of independence, too, anC
"a vein of romance in her heart, pleasant anC
refreshing b meet. She was graceful anC
plant, il was true, but there was a characte
and strength there also. Though her sister
might best please in a crowd, she would be bet
ter loved at home
All that Ernest felt; still, beauty fascinated
him Not that Bella was ugly. Oh, no.
But she was not beautiful, either; at least, saw,
in the loving eyes and hearts Of those who bes
knew her Ernest liked them both. Ii wa
difficult indeed to determine which was the ia
yOrite. r+f.. Es.-
As he nesred the door he said within him
self, rs one often will, in case of doubt"
L L. Iokv ham