Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-06-04

make him give way in the knees, at which
all, especially the princesaes were almost
convulsed with mirth.
Some Of Col: Aliens happy retorts at the
clubs and fashionable parties are still re-
membered and often repeated. On one oc-
easion he was challenged to glass of wine
by the beautiful Dutchess of Rutland, who
seems to have been particularly pleased with
his independent manner ''You must quail
fly your glass with toast" The "Var-
mounter' very unaffectedly observed that he
was not used to that sort of ceremony. and
was afraid he might give offence. If, how
ever, the lady would be SO good as to sug-
gest subject, he would endeavor to give
sentiment.
''Oh," said she, *'never mind the subject,
anything will do, so that it has no reason
| in it.
"Well," says he, s'this may do for
truth, not for toast" and, fixing his eyes
adoringly on the far-famed court beauty, he
proceeded, eff Ifanything could make double
traitor Of patriot, itwould be the witch
craft Of such eyes as your ladyship's."
The blunt sincerity with which this was
spoken, together with it's exact fitness to the
occasion, and person, caused it to be long
hailed in the "beau monde" as an excellent
good thing; and, although it had the effect
of heightening for moment that beauty to
which it was offered as tribute, it is said
the fair Duchess often afterwards boasted of
the compliment as far above all the empty
homage she had received from the glittering
coxcombery of the city.
A lady once sneeringly asked Col. Allen,
in large assembly, at which time the fash
ionable ladies preferred taking air. He
perceived her drift, and bluntly answered.
"Whenever it becomes necessary to feed
the geese and turkeys
"What, inquired the lady, ''do the fine
women in your country descend to so menial
employments?"
| Allen was always reused at any attempt
to depreciate the fair ones of his own coun-
try, and with a great deal of warmth he re-
i piled.
"American women, ladies, have the art
of turning over amusements to account
Many of these could take up the subject of
|
I the feats ef-raler and bursts of eloquence to
which your ladyship is probably indebted for
your distinguished name, most of which, it
is likely would be as new to you as the art
of raising poultry
The sarcasm produced deep blush in the
face of the fair scoffer, but it produced for
the captive and his countrymen an indemni-
| ty against court ridicule for the future.
SECRET PRAYER. never take so firm
a hold of God as in secret. Remember ia
cob. Thou shouldst pray alone, for thou
hast sinned alone, and thou art to die alone,
and be judged alone. Alone thou wilt have
to appear before the judgment seat. Why
not 60 alone to the mercy seat? In the
great transaction between thee and God,
thou canst have no human helper. You
are not going to tell him any secret. You
may be sure he will not betray your conf
dence. Whatever reason there may be for
any species of devotion, there are more and
stronger reasons for secret devotion. No.
thing is more embarrassing and disturbing
in secret prayer than unpropitious circum-
e
paid to this point Enter into thy closet"
says Christ. He says not closet, nor the
closet, but thy closet. The habit of secret
communion is supposed to be formed. The
man is supposed to have a closet-some1
place in which he is accustomed to retire for
|prayer-some spot consecrated by many
meeting there with God-some place that
has often been to him Bethel The Saviour
uses the word to mean any place where,
with no embarrassment either from fear or
pride Of observation, we can freely pour out
our hearts in prayer to God. No matter
what are the dimensions of the place, what
its flooring or canopy. Christ's closet was
a mountain, Isaac'sa field, Peters house
top.-Nevims.
A MODEL W1FE.-We have frequently
heard Of 'model wives" but here is one