The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-07-23
From Godey'b Lady's Book.
The Only Gentleman.
BY PAULINE FORSYTH.

1
plaster!" asked Clara Stanhope, glancing
carelessly at young girl, who was making
loud lamentations over an almost imprecepti-
BILE cut in one of her pretty, white fingers.
eyes; have you any in your work-box, Miss
I Stanhope?"
"No, my Work.box is not a medicine
chest; but here is Lieutenant Gray; he would
do very we'll. He possesses all the qualities
of the best adhesive plaster; it is impossible
to get rid of him." And the spoiled beauty
ended her speech with clear and ringing
laugh. 49,.
Miss Wilson looked amazed, and the poor
lieutenant of marines, after trying in vain to |
| Join in Miss Stanhope's merriment, walked !
away.
:. l.et"That is the seventh gentleman you have
offended mortally within the last four weeks"
said Mrs. Lee.
"But Mr.. Gray is go dreadfully tiresome,
Mrs. Lee; he wore out my patience long ago.
Since came, he has done nothing but keep
up perpetual smiling and bowing at every
thing | said. Wherever turned saw him,
and no matter whom spoke to, he answer
ed, could not endure it moment longer;
and, besides, must confess, it is great
pleasure to me to say a cutting thing to con.
ceited people," ...
"You should remember, though, what
Sheridan says, somewhere; Let your wit
be as keen as sword, but as polished too.
The latter would hardly apply to all your
severe remarks"
ooh, Mrs. Lee! who expects polish in
Western girl! That would be gliding re-
fined gold.'" And Clara Stanhopo laughed
proudly.
"Peop!e Of a family like ours" said Mrs.
; Stanhope, coming to her daughters assist
ance, "are above the conveniionalties that
ordinary persons hedge themselves about
with. We are related to many. Of the no.
BILE families of England; among others to the
Duke of Ruthand; my mother was Man.
c ners; and on my husbands side, the Duke
of Northumberland is relative of ours; and
= I have lately discovered that Robert Bruce
y was an ancestor of mine in direct line
Our progenitors were people of consequence
- when they first came to this country; and
there never has been time when they die
y not rank with the first families
r. Then I suppose we must pay you Infinite
respect" said Mrs. Lee, Gas being among
Il those persons, rare in America. who have not
:, only one, but two grandfathers. Honor to
whom honor is DUE But, still, think if
&c Miss Stanhope would only consider these
ii, gentlemen"
"Gentlemen!" interrupted Mrs. Stanhope,
'' with her usual impetuosity. "Do you call
these persons about here gentlemen! Ac.
il cording to my understanding of that perver.
ted word, there is but one gentleman in the
house,
r "And vino may he be?' asked Mrs. Lee,
who being widow, did not feel herself call.
o. ed upon to resent this sweeping denuncia.
S ton.
Il do not know his name, but he is that
s. tall, elegant looking man who sits just op-
posite me at the table,"
"What, the one who comes in and goes
out without addressing word to any one
who is so exquisitely particular in his dress,
: and whatever he designs to eat or drink
makes great parade about his wine and all
the ct ceterae, and gives the walters more
trouble than any other ten persons?"
y T Thave not observed all that" said Clara;
: "but must say, he is my beau. ideal of high
y; bred gentleman,
"And must say, my dear, that think
you will find cut before long that you have
= made great mistake"
. do you know anything about him!'
;, "Only that he: gave his name as Man
. ners, when he took room here"
~ "Manners!" exclaimed Mrs. Stanhope
y "perhaps he is related to the Duke of Ruth
~ land. will ask him to-day"
90 "But mamma, you do not know him." SAT-
: Clara. a.
er II will introduce myself to him." sai
d' Mrs. Stanhope. "People of family lik
n ours can take such liberties without beins
ne misinerpreted." :.
49, This conversation took place in drawin!
- room of one of the largest and most fashion
ke able boarding houses Of New York wher'
m people prided themselves on their exclusive
ne ness. and faneied that they added greatly tc
- their own importance by refusing to recog
nd nize those who sat each day beside them
tie if they ddno chance to be members of the
own circle. Mrs. Stanhope was lady o
y. some wealth, from one of the western cities
or who:had come with her daughters to New
on York, that she might see little more of th'
H. world than she could at home. H. :,
ur Clara Stanhope was a remarkably fine
u looking girl, with a,spirited, .dashing, ant
nd even daring look and manner, always COO
Ia and unembarrassed. when she: was sayin!
the most astonishing things; and with laugl
whose clear and silvery melody, somewha
las loud though it was, often beguiled those VIII
OF were suffering from her merciless sarcasm
ID into joining her tiierriment, -.
i'd Mrs.. Stanhope, panoplied by her reliano
on her "family," graciously copdescended t
take the initiative in making the acquaint
- ko11 L.