The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-08-12
NO. 3.
0 N L Y A ? + | N f. Z R:
OR
A TALE OF VIRGINIA ARLST0CRAGY.
an INCIDENT RELATED by GOVERNOR AoYp AT THE
WHITE HOUSE"

Had tale to recount OF the oldef time, laying
the scene thereof in England, France Spain, or
any OF the Old countries, 10 MS associated with
much romance and gorgeous grandeur, in which
there would be plcnteous sprinkling OF lords and
ladias prestsand nuns, magnificent palaces, haunt
ed castles ana gloomy monasteries, Ii would he far
more acceptable to the great masses tlan If the
scene was laid here in this land of ploddng Yam
KEGS, railroads, manufacturers and cotton specula-
tons; nevertheless will endeavor to spin yarn
which, by the way, is not altogether a yarn, but
facts and unyainished truths.
had the pleasure Of spending few days re-
Gently, continued Governor T., with distinguished
friend Of mine in Richmond and while there heard
the following conversation between the wife and
daughter of my host:
ella me, what impertinencel" exclaimed Liz
2e T., as she scanned a beautiful coored note
hairued by n servant.
what occasions your surprise my dear ?" in
quired her mother
6 Rather say indignation, mother, at being ask.
ed, and even urged, to take tea this evening at
Mrs Downer's the tanners wife,
And why should yeu not, my dear?"
''Thnk you it would be proper mother, for me,
the daughter Of JUICE X, one of the weathest
and most distinguished men of the city to associ-
ate with such lowbrcd mechanics ?"
Indeed, my daughter, if they are mechanics,
they are people well to do in the world, respecta-
BILE, pious agreeable, and every way worthy of
your acquaintance"
Really, mother" continued the young lady, as
she tossed her pretty head, Pm disposed to think
differently, and so far from encouraging, prefer
| always being removed as far as possible from the
laboring classes. Besides, how isdt expected that
! should enjoy myself in converse with such peo-
| pie, whose only talk would be about the stocks,
the market, and their own private concerns p
Quite an intellectual teatete would it be- mother,
| dear
| ooh fe, Lizzie, fe! But am to blame for this.
| I've shown you too much Indulgence; yol
| spolt; SO must even now set about repairing my
garden, and pluck out weeds and tares ere it be
too late.
give you your first lesson OF worldly experience by
relating TO you story, which | trust will lower
your pride, and make you better woman. A wo-
man with no pride, my daughter, is but droniug,
easy creature, but one with two much is naughty,
| niggirdy, ard selfish; both the extremes con.
temptible and mean. Be then neither too fashion
ably dressed nor too slovenly, too devout nor too
worldly. A mere butterfly in the world of fashion
and pleasure, making but small pretension TO reli-
gion, is a character bad enough, but worse to my
mind is the fiery zealot, on the other hand who
has so many rigid virtues who is continually rail
ing against the world, displeased at anything like
social and rational enjoyment, and shocked at the
| least merriment, danoing, playing, or any amusc
| mcnt that the heart, III It's funess and gadness
| prompts the young and spiightly to indulge. So
then, avoid extremes Of every description But 10
| the story
Sixteen Years ago, Salem, in Virginia, was one
of the most lovely villages Imaginable; situated in
the heart of the great valley OF Virginia yet com
manding magnificent view Of the bold outlines of
| the Alleghcnies and the Blue Ridge. The village
| contained no buildings Of note save two-onc of
| them, 4 magnificent {, nement the princely resi-
dencc ofouc Of the Old Virginia aristocracy ; the
other, the only inn, small, quaint, yet pleasant
house, nestled in the centre Of the town. The
proprietor Of the one a wealthy planter, and dis
tinguished officer of the State the other poor
widow, whose only living depended on the profits
of her table, which were but scant as there was
little travelling DONE at that day, through this
tired village. And the advent of stranger was
always a subject Of curiosity and interest to the
good townfolks, as il is always so in the secluded
villages and inns, in the outof.the-way places OF
of America.
70 this little inn gully dressed, yet weary worn
traveller picked his way one evening in the autumn
oils. The buxom hostess and her tidy daugh-
ter were all life, and frisked about bestirrng the
sayOry viands, delicious cakes and eggs, much 20
the satisfaction of our hungry traveller who appear
| ed to be ayoung man Of some twenty summers,
tall, commanding Of fine appearance and pleasing
manners. lie soon, by dint OF irankness and suav-
|
graces Of the hostess and daughter with the latter
ofwhom he appeared to be much struck, for she
was as lovely as she was neat and graceful
Possessing charms not unlike and almost equal
| to one / adore" exclaimed the young traveller
admiringly, as he placed himself before the spark
| ling fire after finishing his repast, and expect ere
| long to lead to the altar, and with whom you are
doubtless acquainted, as shelves only in the man
sion above the lage, as Understood
"What Emma White y''iuqurcd the ostess
Even So my good dame / met her at the
! springs some months ago, became enamorcd with
her, wooed, won and am now come to clln my
| bride"
4" She is beautiful creature, indeed J" interposcd
| Augusta, the hostssss daughter, but somewhat
! proud as il her father"
| Notso, indeed, gentle Augusta Il she has pride
| tisnOtliug butnaturc maidenly PRIDE which every
lass should have. And you say, Miss Augusta, she
s quite we'll well, viii let this pleasing intelli-
! gencc restrain me tonight, and tomorrow, will
give the fair enclantrcR', trust, an agreeable sur.
| prise
Early next morning as etiquette would permit,
the young man set out with buoyant heart snd high
| hopes to the mansion.
But we will prccede him, and look in on his fair
| ] ctrothcd.
In Il magnificent pmlor Ofthc mansion sat Emma
White aud her mother, the one thumming piano
| and the other interrogating servant;
And you say, Sambo, he lodged last evening
a; the INN p
ayes, uIisse, dc cook say he dare now
| "Wcll, you can retire and so ma, il is even as
expected l thought il was him as he rode past
laat evening"
Well, Emma, how do you intend to bluff him
OF I'm thinking II will bc shameful and delicate
! business
Shameful, indeed When Attorney Logan
| ,l Eur, h, IA
him forward "a one Of the law students, and not as
poor printer, as he is-I'll never forgive Mr.. Lo.
gan"
" He IL not to blame, my dear, he is his pupil
didn't the letter say he was a journeyman printer
at A., but in consideration Of his promising
abilities, Mr., Logan undertook gratuitously to
bring him To, the bar p